Long hair care for busy farmers

[Darth_DMack]

I just retired from a 36 year career in the Army. 01 MAR 23 was my first day as a Civilian, since I swore in back in 1987. My last day shaving was 12 JAN 23 for my retirement ceremony. I was on Terminal Leave, so I have not shaved or cut my hair since 12 JAN 23. I said I would give it a year, and see where I am at, but it's starting to get to me already.

My hair and facial hair is all solid white, and I keep getting the whole "Santa" thing.

We shall see how long this lasts.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Wash and Condition daily...

 

[deserteagle71]

I just retired from a 36 year career in the Army. 01 MAR 23 was my first day as a Civilian, since I swore in back in 1987. My last day shaving was 12 JAN 23 for my retirement ceremony. I was on Terminal Leave, so I have not shaved or cut my hair since 12 JAN 23. I said I would give it a year, and see where I am at, but it's starting to get to me already.

My hair and facial hair is all solid white, and I keep getting the whole "Santa" thing.

We shall see how long this lasts.

I hear you!

50+ years ago in Vietnam most of us were pretty shaggy...there were other priorities besides being clean-cut. My enlistment was up about the time my tour in Vietnam was up so instead of being reassigned to another location I was given an "early out". Since my home of record was in Pennsylvania I was sent to Philadelphia to go through the separation process, after which I was free to go (but in the reserves for a couple more years). Before they handed us our separation paperwork releasing us from active duty they marched all of us down to the barber shop and gave us a boot camp haircut (skinhead!). I was really pissed! At this time military personnel were not treated nicely by a lot of the general public so it was not good to be easily identified as military. I was so pissed I didn't get a haircut or shave for almost two years...long flowing beard and hair down to the middle of my back.

What changed me back to cleancut was that I got a job in a magnesium mine in Nevada. Good job with great pay - but like most mining jobs, you got really dirty. Having to take care of all that long hair and beard in those dirty conditions got to me. I had to realize that no one really much cared about how long my hair was, and spending all that time caring for it and keeping it clean was such a pain. I got another "boot camp" haircut, shaved my beard, and have been a clean-shaven skinhead ever since. So much easier!

 

[GeneV]

Wash and Condition daily...

View attachment 813702

I didn't know Crystal Gayle was into tractors!

 

[Darth_DMack]

I hear you!

50+ years ago in Vietnam most of us were pretty shaggy...there were other priorities besides being clean-cut. My enlistment was up about the time my tour in Vietnam was up so instead of being reassigned to another location I was given an "early out". Since my home of record was in Pennsylvania I was sent to Philadelphia to go through the separation process, after which I was free to go (but in the reserves for a couple more years). Before they handed us our separation paperwork releasing us from active duty they marched all of us down to the barber shop and gave us a boot camp haircut (skinhead!). I was really pissed! At this time military personnel were not treated nicely by a lot of the general public so it was not good to be easily identified as military. I was so pissed I didn't get a haircut or shave for almost two years...long flowing beard and hair down to the middle of my back.

What changed me back to cleancut was that I got a job in a magnesium mine in Nevada. Good job with great pay - but like most mining jobs, you got really dirty. Having to take care of all that long hair and beard in those dirty conditions got to me. I had to realize that no one really much cared about how long my hair was, and spending all that time caring for it and keeping it clean was such a pain. I got another "boot camp" haircut, shaved my beard, and have been a clean-shaven skinhead ever since. So much easier!

Hey Brother, thank you so much for your willingness to serve. I grew up in the 70s / 80s... born in '69... so we had no internet, no games, etc... so I read books. I was drawn to the Military at a very young age. I read just about every Vietnam book I could get my hands on. You guys were my HEROES and paved the way for my generation. I joined the Army in 1987, and spent over three decades in service to this country. Most of my time was in SOF units, so I was able to grow longer hair and a beard on some assignments. But, my last duty station before I retired, was a Conventional 3 Star Command, so I had to fluff and buff daily.

Again, thank you for your commitment to this nation. Your service and hardship is not lost on me. You guys / gals (Vietnam Vets) never got the recognition and thanks that you deserve. I salute you!

 

[scootr]

We are a diversified bunch !
I did the long hair and beard thing when I was young. Been cutting my own hair for 20 yrs. Takes less time than driving to a barber. Costs nothing. Ball cap covers the any mistakes. The difference between a good and bad hair cut is about 2 weeks.
Works for me.

 

[NoTrespassing]

I didn't know Crystal Gayle was into tractors!

Her hair isn't down to the floor yet. She usually waits to get it cut in the Philippines but Covid and a new job postponed the trip.

 

[kthompson]

It is your option on hair length if you have the ability to grow it. My concern is not it being clean, it is it being safe. There is a lot of spinning parts on many machines if your hair is caught in it would have to be at least painful. Could be fatal. I try to avoid pain. Same reason I no longer wear shorts on a tractor (really quit totally), jumped off of it and my shorts leg fell over a shift lever and had not the shorts ripped I would have taken a tough tumble. As open shoes....I realize most shoes offer little protection, but they do offer "some" protection.
I feel about these things as much as I suggest do not drop icy French fries in deep hot grease with no shirt.

 

[dieselscout80]

I just retired from a 36 year career in the Army. 01 MAR 23 was my first day as a Civilian, since I swore in back in 1987. My last day shaving was 12 JAN 23 for my retirement ceremony. I was on Terminal Leave, so I have not shaved or cut my hair since 12 JAN 23. I said I would give it a year, and see where I am at, but it's starting to get to me already.

My hair and facial hair is all solid white, and I keep getting the whole "Santa" thing.

We shall see how long this lasts.

Went through that post 20 years of the Army in 06 and white is what grew out.

 

[MossRoad]

It is your option on hair length if you have the ability to grow it. My concern is not it being clean, it is it being safe. There is a lot of spinning parts on many machines if your hair is caught in it would have to be at least painful. Could be fatal. I try to avoid pain. Same reason I no longer wear shorts on a tractor (really quit totally), jumped off of it and my shorts leg fell over a shift lever and had not the shorts ripped I would have taken a tough tumble. As open shoes....I realize most shoes offer little protection, but they do offer "some" protection.
I feel about these things as much as I suggest do not drop icy French fries in deep hot grease with no shirt.

I'll second the safety issue to a point. I've always had long hair. But when I got around printing presses and all of the packing and handling equipment, the array of spinning rollers, gears, conveyors, etc... I'd keep it a lot shorter.

Saw the aftermath of a long haired woman who leaned under a conveyor to pick up some trash and her hair fell into a gearbox that someone left the top cover off of. Scalped 1/4 of her head. Not a sight for the squeamish.