Looking for a female perspective on OCS

[Tom]

That definitely causes flashbacks. The funny thing about the different episodes is that the majority of the people focused on or shown in a lot of pictures either rolled to H the first week, DOR'ed or got NPQ'ed. It's good that they have seemed to get all the details right so far. The reporters were very nice people, but always had a DI escort within arm's length at all times. I was with them during that week and the best part was their reaction. Pure horror. I look forward to the episode on RLP.

 

[HeyJoe]

That definitely causes flashbacks.

Including the part about spending $90 to get your hair done!

 

[eyzondapryz]

Stupid Questions about OCS

I know this may sound like a lame question but my recruiter informed me females have to cut their hair at OCS to shoulder length. I was wondering if that's true because I have a gut feeling it's going to be shorter... Can anyone shed some light on this topic?

 

[BACONATOR]

You get a pretty asexual haircut. No more than 2" in length. Some class teams allow the girls to grow their hair out after the indoc haircut to graduation (so it looks decent by graduation). Others force the females to get haircuts every time with the males.

FYI: Hair grows back.

 

[Tom]

I saw some girls even get down to a buzz on the sides. Even the DI's was mad about that. Shoulder length is a load of crap. A friend of mine got the initial haircut in OCS and didn't get anymore during OCS. That happened back in September and she still doesn't have shoulder length hair.

 

[SWCS242]

Someone posted this: http://www.projo.com/extra/2008/ocs/ There is a video clip and article about OCS and it shows women getting haircuts.
I love my long hair and will miss it when it gets cut off at OCS as well, but I just tell myself it will grow back.

 

[TrickyFish]

OCS questions from a woman...=-)

My recruiter also told me that it would be cut to shoulder-length, but after seeing a few pictures of OCS girls I realized that was highly unlikely. Oh well, it'll be a lot less to worry about.

 

[WIDGET]

been there

I started OCS late Sep 2007. I got 10 inches cut before going... thinking ... okay, they'll trim a little and I'll be good to go. On the second day of OCS, I sat down in the chair, the woman quietly said, "I'm sorry." And she took the clippers and went at it. She buzzed the sides and left me about an inch and a half on top.
After talking to some of my classmates, the only reasoning we could come up with is that they try to de-feminize you as much as possible. You're not allowed to wear make-up or jewelry... no perfume and obviously no dresses or skirts. After the initial haircut, it's up to your DI's. If your DI "advises" you to get another cut... you better be at the NEX as soon as possible. I got a couple cuts at OCS to avoid any "confrontations", then talked to my DI about it during candio-phase. He said, "It's a damn shame what they did to your hair." If only I'd had known!!!!! Again, it just depends on your DI/class officer/class chief. But yes, everyone gets a hair cut. Just be glad they don't shave it! And it is SO MUCH easier to maintain!! (but I'm still bitter.)

 

[eyzondapryz]

so widget how long did it take for you to grow your hair out to a "female" length again? I mean short is fine, but really...buzz cut??

 

[BACONATOR]

Just be glad you weren't a guy in pensacola. Those assembly-line barbers would shear off our scalps. Seriously. Everyone's head was bleeding after our haircuts and you could only hope that the X number of people before you didn't have any communicable diseases...

 

[eyzondapryz]

I know things could always be worse...Knowing this beforehand really establishes where this drive to be an officer comes from....When you appreciate certain vain blessings and enjoy your feminitity having some of that stripped from you can be a blow. All-in-all it must be a life I want pretty damn bad because such a sacrifice speaks volumes...

 

[HAL Pilot]

All-in-all it must be a life I want pretty damn bad because such a sacrifice speaks volumes...

Cutting your hair isn't that great of a sacrafic. If you think it is, then maybe you need to rethink what you are getting into. There will be much greater real sacrifices asked of you if you make it through OCS.

There are women serving all over the world, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan, that would be laughing their asses off right now if they read your post.

 

[sanders]

I am a guy and all so I am no expert... but at Marine OCS it looked to me like the girls could have their hair most of the way to their shoulders. Most of them were that way, and only a few had it shorter and I assume that was by choice. I think they were kidding about the buzzing...

 

[eyzondapryz]

well hal pilot, I'm glad your opinion on the matter grants you the authority to pass judgement on me..About sacrifice, maybe you should sacrifice your pride to learn how to spell...The only thing I need to rethink is how best to handle ignorant, macho comments such as yours..I'm more than ready, willing and able to give all that OCS and thereafter requires of me. Oh yeah and FYI I just made a "real" sacrifice by being honest about what I'm sure many females are concerned about in the face of predictable male banter..There is no "if I make it through", I'm making it and missing my long locks all the way through!

 

[a_m]

well hal pilot, I'm glad your opinion on the matter grants you the authority to pass judgement on me..About sacrifice, maybe you should sacrifice your pride to learn how to spell...The only thing I need to rethink is how best to handle ignorant, macho comments such as yours..I'm more than ready, willing and able to give all that OCS and thereafter requires of me. Oh yeah and FYI I just made a "real" sacrifice by being honest about what I'm sure many females are concerned about in the face of predictable male banter..There is no "if I make it through", I'm making it and missing my long locks all the way through!

Must be a high flow day for you.

P.S. haircuts are not something to worry about.