what to do?

[ddaley212]

i have no job but i am enlisted in the USAF. im going in open general and hoping to get diagnostic imaging but since i go to basic jan.4, should i just grow out my hair and beard till my time comes to leave or keep up my daily shaving routine???

 

[Topgumby]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if you want to have long hair and a beard, by all means give up on haircuts and shaving.

If you want to remain beardless and have your hair coiffed, by all means continue to shave and visit a barber once in awhile.

Is this the sort of advice you were seeking?

 

[ddaley212]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if you want to have long hair and a beard, by all means give up on haircuts and shaving.

If you want to remain beardless and have your hair coiffed, by all means continue to shave and visit a barber once in awhile.

Is this the sort of advice you were seeking?

it is lol but at the same time with no job and waiting to leave for the airforce, do i really have to look "presentable" at this time. all i do is go to PT and work out at the YMCA lol

 

[danparker77]

Do you want to look presentable during this time? If no one is going to make you (boss, wife, family member....) it is all up to you.

 

[Topgumby]

it is lol but at the same time with no job and waiting to leave for the airforce, do i really have to look "presentable" at this time. all i do is go to PT and work out at the YMCA lol

It's up to you. You're going to spend the next few years with a mandatory daily shave and other grooming standards. You might look on the time waiting to go to your initial training as time to indulge your inner bohemian slob. Just be mindful that will help determine how others, including those of the fairer gender, perceive you.

Also, I'd lose the freak flag and soup strainer before you report for duty. No sense sticking out from the crowd the first day.

Thanks for your decision to serve, btw.

 

[The Last Chimney]

Right, there's no grooming standards in the DEP. I had two feet of hair until the day before I got on the bus.

Your recruiter should be able to tell you these things, though.

 

[jansob]

Personally I'd spend at least some of your time (last month or so) practicing a good fast shave routine...it's one less thing you'll have to learn in the whirlwind. In any case, show up clean-shaven. Shows a respectful attitude and an acceptance of the lifestyle you've chosen for the next few years.

 

[Fletch]

I guess the thing to consider is how much do or don't you enjoy shaving now? I don't know how much, if any, "you time" you're going to get once you're in.

 

[ddaley212]

thank you all for your comments and yes i do know that i will have to shave everyday for the next 6 years but i don't know if i can bring my DE to basic. Also when i get on that bus, i WILL be clean shaven and my hair cut real low. trust me when i say that if i don't ill look like kimbo slice lol.

 

[ddaley212]

Personally I'd spend at least some of your time (last month or so) practicing a good fast shave routine...it's one less thing you'll have to learn in the whirlwind. In any case, show up clean-shaven. Shows a respectful attitude and an acceptance of the lifestyle you've chosen for the next few years.

ya that is something i will have to do all december. i like taking my time with my shaves, it doesn't cause nicks and cuts when i take a decent amount of time.

 

[RF1963]

I'd say keep up the shaving and haircuts for personal pride and all those other indefinable things that come with a smart appearance. After all, you're going to serve in the military, already that distinguishes you from the crowd so I'd want to live up to that.

 

[ddaley212]

..also forget the brush and soap.

Here's what you do:

Get yourself a bag of Gillette Good News disposables, or something similar and two small cans of shaving cream/gel. You'll set up one razor with a can of shaving cream you do not use along with the rest of whatever goes in the display drawer (toothbrush/toothpaste/soap...). You don't actually use any of that crap for a couple reasons: Everything has to be stowed clean dry and serviceable. You don't want to be fiddling around with cleaning and drying your toiletries just so you can rebuild that drawer every day. Set it up once and use duplicates you keep in your personal drawer.

You'll get issued a padlock to lock that personal drawer. The key will not come out of the lock when it is open. Just so you don't find yourself chained to your locker by the neckchain the first time you use it. Have a look at this thread about the same subject.

I didn't notice, when do you report?

i leave Jan. 4 for basic