Posted on Jul 20, 2018
Can a 1SG force a SM to shave their mustache if the facial hair is within regulation?
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Ive been working on my deployment stache for the past 4 months and finaly got it to where it looks nice. This morning 1sg told me that he doesn't like moustaches and i need yo shave it off. We go back to the states in 3 days and I'm plannin on keeping it. As long as its in regs, shouldnt I be allowed to keep it.
Posted in these groups: 
Regulation
Grooming Standards
Regulation Grooming Standards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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You need to respectfully ask those in your chain of command about this. When an E4 goes up against an E8 (who is backed by an O3), the E4 will lose every time. However, if you have a platoon leader who can talk frankly with the E8 and O3 you stand a much better chance of success.
I see nothing in the regs that says someone can force you to shave a mustache if it's within regs. The closest thing I could find is paragraph 2-6d of AR 670-1 which says "The commander in charge of units on maneuver may prescribe the uniform for wear within the maneuver area." Does a mustache apply to this? I don't know. Especially since paragraph 2-6g says "Commanders will ensure that the Soldiers assigned to their unit are aware of the grooming and appearance provisions of this regulation."
But at the end of the day this is not a hill you want to die on. I know you said you're done with the Army and they can do whatever they want but, this is an option you might want to keep open. I got out of the Marines with no intention of ever getting back in the service. Then 9/11 happened and I wanted back in. Then I got out of the Army with no intention of getting back in. Then I missed it and here I am. My point is this, just because you're tired of it now doesn't mean that later on down the road you'll still feel that way. Don't cause any trouble and don't leave the service with a blot on your record and if you ever need to fall back on this career, you'll be able to.
I see nothing in the regs that says someone can force you to shave a mustache if it's within regs. The closest thing I could find is paragraph 2-6d of AR 670-1 which says "The commander in charge of units on maneuver may prescribe the uniform for wear within the maneuver area." Does a mustache apply to this? I don't know. Especially since paragraph 2-6g says "Commanders will ensure that the Soldiers assigned to their unit are aware of the grooming and appearance provisions of this regulation."
But at the end of the day this is not a hill you want to die on. I know you said you're done with the Army and they can do whatever they want but, this is an option you might want to keep open. I got out of the Marines with no intention of ever getting back in the service. Then 9/11 happened and I wanted back in. Then I got out of the Army with no intention of getting back in. Then I missed it and here I am. My point is this, just because you're tired of it now doesn't mean that later on down the road you'll still feel that way. Don't cause any trouble and don't leave the service with a blot on your record and if you ever need to fall back on this career, you'll be able to.
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MAJ Milan George
It's been a while since i've had to read AR 670-1 but isn't there another paragraph in the grooming standards section that refers to the commander having final say on it's specifics? Like I said, it's been a while so I can't remember.
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MAJ (Join to see)
MAJ Milan George - Paragraph 3-1b says "It is the responsibility of commanders to ensure that military personnel under their command present a neat and soldierly appearance. Therefore, in the absence of specific procedures or guidelines, commanders must determine a Soldier’s compliance with standards in this regulation."
I'd say that there are specific guidelines for mustaches but if the commander deemed it unprofessional, maybe they can force someone to shave it. But like I said before, this isn't a hill worth dying on in my opinion. These standards are punitive and the soldier could face UCMJ charges for not complying.
I'd say that there are specific guidelines for mustaches but if the commander deemed it unprofessional, maybe they can force someone to shave it. But like I said before, this isn't a hill worth dying on in my opinion. These standards are punitive and the soldier could face UCMJ charges for not complying.
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MAJ Milan George
MAJ (Join to see) - Thanks, I knew there was some verbiage like that but couldn't remember in my old age.
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Technically, a 1SG can't "force you" to do anything. But they can make you wish you had.
You don't make it that far in the Army without learning a trick or two about getting people to do things they don't want to do.
You don't make it that far in the Army without learning a trick or two about getting people to do things they don't want to do.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
If a 1SG did not like my mustache it would be gone before the next time I see them. Life just seems so much easier when you take the advice of a SRNCO and just about the only thing I would disagree with a SRNCO is healthcare with a patient.
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Yes, AR 670-1 does allow moustaches. But also generally speaking, a superior's order is presumed to be lawful and disobeyed at the subordinate's peril. I don't know if it would be worth the fight really. Would you be willing to go all the way to a court-martial for failure to obey a lawful order and/or risk a promising career to prove your point? Sometimes it's just easier to say "Roger" and drive on.
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SGT Charles Belford
I 100% agree with this and I’ve been saying this for the 5 years that I’ve been in. There are rules and regs for a reason. If you are within regs, they can’t touch you.LCDR Robert S.
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SGT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) Thank you SFC. I absolutely will check it out. Thank you for that, and the advice. It is much appreciated.
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Sgt Andy Garcia
With all due respect that is old army mentality. A superior singling out a lower enlisted is grounds for EO. Shaving a mustache should be your hill to die on lest we lose what we’re fighting for. Freedom of religion and ability to express yourself. Hypothetically if that soldier was Latino and wanted to get more in touch with their roots, it is their responsibility to fight for it and have their voice heard.
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