Altered Grooming standards while deployed

I remember getting my ass chewed during my first deployment for not shaving and having a haircut. That's what it was, an ass chewing. In one ear and out the other. Sorry that I was on the road and didn't always have the time or the means to shave or get a haircut. Watch the show Generation Kill and it will crack you up!!!!! When shaving and haircuts become more important than the mission we have a serious problem.

I'm all for rules and regulations, and generally I followed them.

I'm now a civilian and I believe that facial kevlar is a force multiplier.

Health, standards, discipline and less places for sand mites to hide.

In 2004 I was in Iraq and near the end of my tour I was put on a mountain top as the only medic. I had approx. 16 Commo guys, one squad security and 2 cooks with us so all in all maybe 30 something people... We were remote and didn't follow all of 670-1. Most were lucky to shower once a week out of water bottles, we had to burn out our own latrines and we had supplies dropped every 4 days or so. We only had to shave when the command came to visit. The point is the standards can relax for certain circumstances and the world will not end... For people on FOBs with running water not having to burn your own waste, shaving is not a big deal... if it is for you then join SF or get out!!!

They are most likely SOF. The relaxed grooming standards for most SOF teams is not about being "different" or "cool"; it is about the safety of the team. A shaved face in a country of bearded men stands out....badly. The SOF teams work out of safe houses that are not always close to friendly forces. They need to be able to move around without attracting too much attention.

When we arrived in Baghdad and finally found a home, a deserted bombed out factory with no utilities or water (except one spicket/spigot in the middle of the yard/field), we made do. This was before KBR and the other contractors had arrived to build everything. I/we acquired a few things and my squad 'remodeled' a small bathroom with a urinal (a plastic pipe and a cut water bottle duct taped and jammed in the sewer line) a shower (a Wal-Mart camp shower hung over a bathtub draining into what was the 'toilet') a sink (a five gallon jug hung over 'sink' with a vehicle mirror attached to the wall), a scrap piece of canvas for the door and an acquired light (hard wired into the generator lights).

We would heat our water in the sun dump it in the shower or replace the 'sink' water. The spigot was the local 'water cooler' where everyone did their laundry in buckets, got water for their non-drinking needs... We were shaved, clean, and had proper haircuts... so no there should be no changes to the standards. However there should be some understanding that everyone can look all GQ and perfect but there is no excuse for not maintaining proper hygiene and appearance.

And as an added point, I spent almost everyday out of the wire, off post, roaming the streets of Baghdad while 'working' with the Iraqi police, transporting prisoners, patrolling, and conducting escorts... in 998's and the old 'turtle shells' (non-up-armored variety).

Pick and choose your battles. While I agree there are many times relaxed grooming standards seems like it would be in the best interests of many while downrange, standards are standards. If the Command issues that order, you're good to go. If not, drink water and drive on. IMO discipline is what separates and defines the U.S. Army from the rest of the world's military. Believe it or not we are an elite combat power, and I for one am extremely proud of that. Discipline is what sets us apart. This is another facet of that.

If you want relaxed grooming standards while deployed to an area of potential CBRNE threat...simple - go to one of the numerous selections that each branch offers and become a part of the brotherhood.

I too, think we should have seriously relaxed grooming standards when forward deployed. What is the saying? When in Rome....? In the Middle East we should adopt standards like the locals, it is called mirroring. This would no doubt break down communication barriers....lots of reasons to do it. Blend with locals, more time for real work. And it looks very Celtic...in line with my roots.

Upholding standards will always be at the top of the priority list, however in a deployed environment with people needing to be worried about protecting the guy on their left and right, I find it funny when someone talks about jumping on this guy or that for how he looks. It may just be me but a guy coming in from outside the wire might find it hard to take a guy from a slightly air conditioned buildings words seriously in regards to shaving.