Are grooming standards in the military outdated and without purpose?

From a newly minted GI's perspective: when I lived in Germany, before joining the Guard, you could always tell a soldier from the rest of the crowd due to the the grooming. It was and still is a sure fire way of targeting soldiers specifically. I personally never cared about this because It never bothered me to have a few soldiers around. But from the opposite side, I kinda dislike the easy target sign on my head and face due to the lack of hair. When I had my afro and goatee, I never got asked about the military and etc, but once I started getting the high and tights, it became a dead giveaway. Personally, I think this system is a bit outdated, but it's not without its merits. I love the fact that if I need to find some battle buddies in the crowd, all I need to do is see the haircuts.

virtually every culture in the history of the world - Warriors never cut their hair, it's a symbol of their virility (its in the Bible too), Who has short hair??? Slaves, they have no virility. So what does that do to your sense of manhood, I belong to that group that's the exemption, my hair is going away on its own - and now the dna scientists have given us something else for the equation, if you are an adult male with a full head of hair - it's because you have more female chromosones that a bald man

Relaxed Grooming Standards are Needed if not Required in specific areas and on specific missions...

My vote goes to uniformity. As a member of the military, whichever branch, you are an asset. Trained to do what the CinC, DoD and other superiors want done. Tats, not visible when on duty, should be allowed. Beards, besides being a mask issue, should not be allowed as not everyone can grown one. It would allow for distraction within the ranks. Long hair is simply a matter of discipline. The senior nco that chews out troops coming back from patrol is out of line. Regardless of what regs we're talking about, there should always be circumstantial judgement calls to be made. You can't reasonably expect troops to shave while on patrol. The remnants of shaving might give away the fact that they were there.

There was a time . . .

If we are going to be equal and uniform, let's be equal and uniform across the board, why don't female servicemembers have to shave, or cut their hair? What they're not required, to be able to use a gas mask? it's obvious that most females don't grow a lot of facial hair, but there are those exceptions out there, that can grow a full beard, and it's completely authorized within all the service branches, is regulations. Also, why should they be able to use earrings or make up?

One word: Gas!

Evidently it is something which is tolerated by the COC all the way to the top. They must have a good rationale for turning a blind eye or tolerating relaxed sloppy grooming standards but no none knows for sure. Seeing these scrotty GIs wandering around unshaven, with a proliferation of uniforms and weapons makes one wonder if such affectations a professional make. As for blending in for some reason, it seems highly likely that every American over there is immediately recognized for who and what s/he is, disguised or not.

I remember having to shave sometimes twice a day during BCT/AIT. I served in some pretty high speed units. We may have had some scruff on after a few day patrol, but never a beard. Back then, that was the domain of SF & Delta. I still lean that way. If you are going to an area and need to blend in or fit into the culture, by all means, if it's your mission, grow it. Most 18 & 19 YO PV2s and PFCs have a hard time growing a beard. Guess that's why we don't see them on Rangers, but on SF. Gotta be able to grow a beard to be in SF, right?

beards, tattoos and long hair are not an issue, I believe it's just the way in which some people view the military and what their customs are! not having a beard or having one does not win wars.