Now What do I do?

I have been in a job (US Military) for the last 25 + years that has required I wear my hair short. I never considered myself a short haired person and I always admired long haired women (and men)
for the freedom they enjoyed not to be forced to get a haircut. I have a couple long haired friends that thought I as hard core and thought I was a short hair nut when we first became friends. But after a few minutes, and my confession that I planned to grow a beard w/ ponytail upon leaving military service, they felt safe that I was OK. You see I very often joked that when I retired I would grow a beard and a pony tail. I have thick hair that is dark brown with about 1/3 gray. I had a Kevin Kline look http://www.malli-p.de/Mallis_Welt/Bilder2/Filmstars/01kevin_kline4.jpg
with the beard and over the ears before going into active duty and getting the prerequisite short haircut. Should I dye it all dark, let it stay salt and pepper as I grow it out? Sometimes I think I am a left over 70's guy that never got a chance to grow long hair and I should get over it and maybe I should just keep a short haircut? My wife thinks I am an attractive man as it is but she thinks it would be interesting to see me grow it long after wearing it short for so long. She thinks a pony tail would be a good look for me. Physically I an still in good pgysical shape. Maybe a Steven Segal thing going on? She says if it gets too unmanageable, I can always give up and get a haircut. She offered to keep it trimmed to keep it from getting too ragged. I think she would really like to see me suceed at growing it long. I told her OK but no layers or curls, a single braid when it gets long, Willie Nelson style will be OK. I know a couple guys that grew a pony tail and beard upon leaving the military for a year or so. One still has the beard and long hair although he never trimmed it. He has a mountain man look to say the least. Another gave up, shaved cut his hair and looks the same as he did in service.
Well in the very near future I intend to try to grow some hair. I plan to skip the bangs and just comb it back wet until it is long enough to keep in a pony tail. Any tips for a former short hair guy coming over to the long side, aside from stay away from barbers and zealot stylists? What is the tough part, the hump to get over? After 25+ years I do not feel a need to any macho clowns or family friend to get a haircut or have them accuse me of being soft or a hippie bum. There are plenty of short haired dirtbags, so do not stereotype me!!!
I will simply ask them where they were when I was in the desert w/ 126 + temps. Honestly, Ladies what do you think? Is it an attractive look or just amidlife crisis idea? Insecure guys ( and ladies), I frankly do not care what you think if you are going to get nasty. Just honest intelligent, no ranting opinions, positive or negative with phot ideas welcomed.

I enlisted in 79 got out in 88,and I wanted to grow my hair out,like it was before I went in.
Strangley I did'nt like it,do'nt remember why.After a while i got comfortable going to the barber once every 3 weeks.
As far as finding a job it all depends on your M.O.S.
If you go long your DD-214 will say more about who you are,rather than your hair lenghth.
Good luck in the civillian world took me awile to adjust.

Hi!

I don't think it has anything to do with any type of midlife crisis....sounds like you just want to change...maybe to reflect the change in your life.

if you really want to grow it will take lots of patience and you will have to learn to take good care of your growing hair.

I suggest you come over to the long hair support board, they have a lot of good advice there on how to deal with the varying stages of growth.

REad the archives and then if you need, ask a few questions on your own.

Good luck!

jacqui