Individual Ready Reservist Sgt. Jason Hallisey's hair was 18 inches long when he was reactivated. When he reported for processing at Fort Jackson's Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security Monday, he failed to meet Army standards -- but he did meet Locks of Love standards.
The 25-year old from Texarkana, Texas, grew out his hair so when the time came to cut it he could donate more to the Florida-based organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.
It requires donors to bundle hair in a braid or ponytail at least 10 inches long; hair must be cut, not shaved; hair cannot be bleached; hair must be sealed in a plastic bag and then mailed in a padded envelope.
Returning to the Army, he knew his hair had to be cut and throwing his hair away would be a waste, he said.
"I figured I'd just donate it," he said and added, "it ain't going to do any good on the floor."
Sgt. 1st Class Linda Maxie, Company E, 171 Infantry Brigade drill sergeant, who processed Hallisey, said a lot of Soldiers return with long hair, but "he is the first one that had this stuff all laid out, the first to (want to donate) before he got here."
Hallisey said he was inspired by a friend in Texarkana.
"He grew it out specifically for Locks of Love, so before I left I asked him for the (information) and his wife got the stuff together for me," Hallisey said.
At the barber shop he put his hair in a ponytail, cut it and bagged it appropriately.
Hallisey said someday he will grow his hair long again, so he does not feel much loss cutting it all off.
Thankfully, it's not being wasted, he said.
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