Posted on Jan 20, 2023
SFC Automated Logistical Specialist
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I am concerned with the grey area outlined in TB MED 287 (10 DEC 2014), which states, "The beard must be uniform and neatly trimmed to a length of no more than 1/4 inch of curled hair in order to maintain a neat and professional appearance. No styling of the beard is allowed whatsoever (e.g. no goatees, handlebar mustache, etc…)". This language allows for too much subjectivity in defining what is considered a style.

My concern is that I have Soldiers that have shaving profiles and Senior leaders within my unit have a problem with a few of them ie. one Soldier trims only the top of his mustache to keep a neat appearance. His mustache does not connect to his beard; therefore, it should not be considered a part of his beard and should be kept neatly trimmed and tapered according to Army Regulation 670-1 1-8 2(c). AR 670-1 states that any Soldier with medical treatment "will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by the appropriate medical authority, but are not authorized to shape the hair growth (examples include, but are not limited to, goatees, “Fu Manchu,” or handlebar mustaches)." Trimming the mustache to keep a neat appearance, by army regulation, would not fall into the category of shaping hair growth.

Another Soldier trims the bottom of his neck, lower than his beard. He claims that when the hair on his neck exceeds a certain length, it starts to irritate him and becomes uncomfortable and forces him to scratch at it throughout the day, therefore causing irritation towards that area. When he trims the bottom of his neck, there's no indication of it being "lined up," only a subtle fade into his actual beard.

I'm not making excuses for these Soldiers, and if they are wrong, then they are wrong and I will fix the issue with them myself. The army has gotten away from regulation and has gone more with "isms" and "how it was back in the day" or "how they were brought up". I talked to our Brigade physician, and he was unprepared for this situation. I explained everything and asked him what the correct answer and his response was, "Just go off of what your CSM says." This is definitely not the right answer. I also went to IG, not to complain but to find the right answer, and I basically received the same answer. I just need some guidance on what I should do to assist these Soldiers.
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Responses: 7
SFC Casey O'Mally
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Regs have been like this for as long as I was in. Hair cannot be "faddish." Great, who decides what is faddish? CSM (or, often, 1SG) does. Who decides what is "shaped" or "styled?" It starts at Team Leader and goes up through NCO chain.

Seriously, this is straight up NCO business and is up to NCO discretion. If Soldier and Team Leader cannot come to understanding - or if their understanding does not meet Squad / Section Leader's approval - Squad Leader steps in. And on and on up the NCO Support Channel.

What can you do? Identify and maintain a uniform, non-discriminatory, standard. Then maintain that standard, unless 1SG steps in and gives additional guidance.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
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I don't envy you on this...no one wants to come down with hard and fast rules anymore only to have them overturned for religious or racial reasons.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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I think your answer is in AR670-1, "will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by the appropriate medical authority." You were correct of ask the command surgeon for help. He or she should review the shaving profile and medical provider's notes supporting the profile to determine the medically appropriate beard allowed. If the profile does not provide the needed guidance, then the medical community should revise the profile to define the allowable beard. This is truly a case-by-case situation, but the medical folks need to help supervisors and commanders by defining the "treatment" needed. (There may be privacy concerns with the medical records, but your commander can talk with the command surgeon if needed.)
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