Posted on Sep 2, 2020
Can I be forced to shave if I have a shaving profile?
94.4K
1.42K
363
118
118
0
What’s up everybody I’m pv2 jones and I been in the army a little over 9 months, I love serving until it comes to shaving. I’ve tried everything and my face bumps up terrible man I’m talking about it looks disgusting, plenty of my Drill Sgts in AIT tried teaching me how to shave but it doesn’t work. So I just got to my new unit about 2 and a half months ago and I was still shaving even though it was painful and it looked Terrible, one day an NCO From another unit told me that I NEED to go get a shaving profile because my face just looks terrible and she can tell I was in pain so I promised her I will go get one and have them check it out . After my first appointment the dermatologist gave me a permanent shaving profile and told me that I don’t need to shave atleast until my bumps are clear. So a few weeks go by and I have a little beard (still in regulation 1/4 of an inch) so After pt my squad leader pulls me to The side and starts cursing me out at the top of his lungs saying I need to shave , I told him respectfully I have a shaving profile and it hurts for me to shave he stares at me and replied Under his breath “like every other black person in the army that can’t use razors” I didn’t say anything but it kind of hurt because I don’t want to be a odd ball in my company (I’m in a infantry company btw) so later that day we go into work to clean weapons and he calls me over and apologizes about this morning and I told him it was ok he then said that I need to shave still if I want to make it in the military and I replied and told him I’m not shaving so he can F’ing forget about it he then told me since I cursed him my punishment will be to shave or receive a article for disrespecting a NCO so later I went to my barracks room and shaved during lunch and came back in he then told me that no matter what my profile says I need to listen to him and shave I told my platoon sgt about this whole Situation and he told me I need to listen to my squad leader and shave because the army just gives shaving profiles to anyone. Is this right?
Platoon Sergeant
Platoon Leader
Commander
CCMSgt
NCO Academy
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 254
18
18
0
I’m going to speak out of my online character as I’m reserved and don’t prefer to curse.
Jones, be professional however go out of your way to report and destroy the prejudice NCOs you mentioned. I’m an 11B and for far to long I’ve seen the toxicity in our MOS. I know that type of person and they will fuck with you and wouldn’t hesitate to screw your career up if afforded any chance. Asshole, narcissists with rank. Handle that shit, don’t accept apologies and don’t let it slide. When he’s screwed your job is done. Hopefully your 1SG and Commander aren’t toxic bros too and handle his ass.
Jones, be professional however go out of your way to report and destroy the prejudice NCOs you mentioned. I’m an 11B and for far to long I’ve seen the toxicity in our MOS. I know that type of person and they will fuck with you and wouldn’t hesitate to screw your career up if afforded any chance. Asshole, narcissists with rank. Handle that shit, don’t accept apologies and don’t let it slide. When he’s screwed your job is done. Hopefully your 1SG and Commander aren’t toxic bros too and handle his ass.
(18)
(0)
17
17
0
Follow the profile.
I had bad second degree burns to my face and I had a shaving profile. I moved on to another unit before I retired - my new CSM called me out in front of my brigade commander. I nodded my head and told the COL that I had a shaving profile but before I could say why the COL told me I was receiving a medal the next day and he wanted me to shave like the CSM said, since he didn't want an 'Unprofessional' NCO in his brigade receiving an award/medal from the Division Commander.
Long story short, I accepted the award with my red and scarred mug from the General. My even more red-faced COL and CSM were there. Once it was all over I asked the commander if I could resume my profile until my scheduled plastic surgery was complete.
I got a yes and that was the end of it.
I had bad second degree burns to my face and I had a shaving profile. I moved on to another unit before I retired - my new CSM called me out in front of my brigade commander. I nodded my head and told the COL that I had a shaving profile but before I could say why the COL told me I was receiving a medal the next day and he wanted me to shave like the CSM said, since he didn't want an 'Unprofessional' NCO in his brigade receiving an award/medal from the Division Commander.
Long story short, I accepted the award with my red and scarred mug from the General. My even more red-faced COL and CSM were there. Once it was all over I asked the commander if I could resume my profile until my scheduled plastic surgery was complete.
I got a yes and that was the end of it.
(17)
(0)
SFC Clark Adams
So you earned an award with a shaving profile but weren't good enough to receive it unshaven due to injuries?? I would have requested the award be mailed to me.
(2)
(0)
14
14
0
Sounds like you have a lovely command climate.
And unfortunately no, they are not correct and are not doctors. Denying the terms of your profile is not something they have the power to do. As ling as you strictly abide by that profile and stay respectful in your response. you should be fine and could arguably contest and punitive action that is specifically against you not shaving. May get the dogshit smoked out of you, but that's an unfortunate reality with leadership that decides they make their own rules. Hope things work out for ya man.
And unfortunately no, they are not correct and are not doctors. Denying the terms of your profile is not something they have the power to do. As ling as you strictly abide by that profile and stay respectful in your response. you should be fine and could arguably contest and punitive action that is specifically against you not shaving. May get the dogshit smoked out of you, but that's an unfortunate reality with leadership that decides they make their own rules. Hope things work out for ya man.
(14)
(0)
13
13
0
I'm a cracker Blonde/white Blue fair skin, I had a shaving profile because no matter how I did it my neck would become inflamed if I tried more often than every 3 days. Had a SgtM get in my face one day about it, as I was trying to get to formation. After Formation I let my chain know about the hassle I'd gotten, never again. Just Keep it as clean as you can. The more facial hair you have the less your mask is going to seal.
(13)
(0)
SFC Tim OReilly
The issue of a pro mask dealing properly is an issue that may become more strong going forward ... that said a faceful of bumps probably won't help either
(0)
(0)
(1)
(0)
12
12
0
EO AND/IG...ONLY A CC CAN OVERRIDEA PROFILE. The comment about being like all the other black folks in the Army is totally unacceptable...IF those were his words then you need to go to your command and if they don't do anything about that then you need to go to IG...
just my two cents...comments like that are unacceptable...shave waiver or not!
just my two cents...comments like that are unacceptable...shave waiver or not!
(12)
(0)
9
9
0
I would say you're covered, however if you can help it I would only shave once a week or whatever your skin can handle. Keep your head up and stay professional.
(9)
(0)
8
8
0
Remember, always maintain your military bearing. That's easier said than done sometimes, but really try hard. The others are right, and if you lose your cool (even in the face of utter ignorance) you're going to potentially create a problem for yourself that didn't exist to begin with. Remember that you have to respect the rank and position of those individuals, even if you're having trouble respecting the person in it. It also tends to earn you respect for maintaining your cool under adverse circumstances. In other words, all a win for you.
Speaking of ignorance, you've dealt with quite a bit. Your NCOs are medically ignorant. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (or razor burn/bumps) is not only painful, it can lead to infection and permanent scarring of the face via keloid formation. So what these folks think is you not wanting to shave is you and your doctor saying you don't want to hurt, or subject you to skin infections or scarring involving the face. And I assure you, as a provider, I don't start sick call and put a sign outside advertising profiles with every visit.
As far as the racial comments, they're ignorant too. Your anger and disappointment is understandable. A number of others on the page are angry just hearing about it. But I'd encourage you to not take the "destroy them" approach as another poster suggested. They're ignorant, and a more effective way of combating ignorance is to correct it. I encourage you to get the help of your local EO rep, 1SG and CO, because they all should be involved. But instead of calling them out, try calling them in, and help them understand why their actions and thoughts were wrong. Firing them and/or throwing them out might ultimately be necessary (and up to the command), because we don't have room or tolerance for that behavior in our military. But then they just go somewhere else and continue to be ignorant, whereas if you change hearts and minds, that pays dividends down the road. Just something to think about.
Speaking of ignorance, you've dealt with quite a bit. Your NCOs are medically ignorant. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (or razor burn/bumps) is not only painful, it can lead to infection and permanent scarring of the face via keloid formation. So what these folks think is you not wanting to shave is you and your doctor saying you don't want to hurt, or subject you to skin infections or scarring involving the face. And I assure you, as a provider, I don't start sick call and put a sign outside advertising profiles with every visit.
As far as the racial comments, they're ignorant too. Your anger and disappointment is understandable. A number of others on the page are angry just hearing about it. But I'd encourage you to not take the "destroy them" approach as another poster suggested. They're ignorant, and a more effective way of combating ignorance is to correct it. I encourage you to get the help of your local EO rep, 1SG and CO, because they all should be involved. But instead of calling them out, try calling them in, and help them understand why their actions and thoughts were wrong. Firing them and/or throwing them out might ultimately be necessary (and up to the command), because we don't have room or tolerance for that behavior in our military. But then they just go somewhere else and continue to be ignorant, whereas if you change hearts and minds, that pays dividends down the road. Just something to think about.
(8)
(0)
6
6
0
Wow, what a toxic NCO. Apparently he just recites the NCO Creed for boards and to impress people. He obviously has a biased against you and judged you before he knew you. He should be removed from a leadership position or maybe, if he displayed a pattern of this form of racism then he should be recommended for punishment under the UCMJ. You need to report him for the racist comment he made because poor and toxic leaders produce poor and toxic Soldiers. If you don’t report him to EO then you are allowing others to be discriminated against. There is a quote and am not quite sure who said it but I think it may apply “ The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing”. Racism is evil and doesn’t belong in the Army. He obviously doesn’t care about you or your pain and he is failing to do his job which is taking care of Soldiers. Most likely, there are other Soldiers who have been mistreated by him and by reporting him you are probably doing them a favor. You might even give courage to Soldiers who were afraid to speak up because of possible reprisals. Overall, he needs to go.
(6)
(0)
6
6
0
Brother listen I don’t give a shit what rank you are first off you have the profile and on top of that for that nco to drop “like every other black person” bull shit he knew he fucked up when he pulled you aside to apologize don’t let them bully you or pressure you there a channels available to use so shut like this doesn’t happen EO is a big deal utilize it
(6)
(0)
6
6
0
It actually is far more common in Black people to have severe razor bumps or ingrown hair due to the thickness and curl of the hair, but that is all the more reason to understand he may not be able to shave as much and have compassion or at least understanding. It was 100% racist to say that though, acting as though it's some sort of excuse and not a valid issue. I do hope you reported what he said.
(6)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google