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
3
3
0
Show him a picture of Edward James Olmos and ask him if this is how he wants you to look.
Seriously, there is one person who can disregard a profile: your Company Commander. You’ve done part of the job. Went to your PSG. Now, if I were your PL, this is something I’d want to be looped into. I’d want to know if my NCOs were disregarding a profile so I could take it to the Commander on your behalf. Most importantly, I’d want to know if someone cannot respect people. No tolerance for that shit and I would damn sure want to be looped in as soon as possible.
Seriously, there is one person who can disregard a profile: your Company Commander. You’ve done part of the job. Went to your PSG. Now, if I were your PL, this is something I’d want to be looped into. I’d want to know if my NCOs were disregarding a profile so I could take it to the Commander on your behalf. Most importantly, I’d want to know if someone cannot respect people. No tolerance for that shit and I would damn sure want to be looped in as soon as possible.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
Are there not products that remove hair without shaving? I am not sure of Army regulations but talk with others who have the the same issue. Over a period of time, you should conquer it.
(3)
(0)
MAJ(P) (Join to see)
PV2 (Join to see) - This is common for African/Mediterranean/Latin ethnic peoples... There is no "getting it under control"... The short kinky coiled hair literally grows back into the skin. Infantry or not, this is common in the Army to see these profiles. Keep your profile on you at all times. Do not hesitate to seek to use the open door policy of your Commander. That young NCO doesn't know what the hell he is talking about and clearly is cruising for an EO violation. If it escalates, you also have the IG and on post anonymous comment boxes with the Garrison Commander follows up on. Furthermore, I've seen more and more full bearded Soldiers in the past few years who claim "Religion", get it annotated in their records and are permitted to wear them. You will suffer some slights and ostracizing because of the inherent bias that we supposedly do not wear facial hair in the Army, though you are authorized a mustache under AR 670-1. Be respectful but stand your ground. Tactfully educate those who think that all hair growing from the pores in your face is coming out straight. Good luck troop.
(2)
(0)
TSgt Carl Johnson
PV2 (Join to see) - A lot of my friends in the military have struggled with that same issue. When I joined the Air Force I had straight, blond hair, but I got razor bumps on my neck because those whiskers were curly. They got so bad that I had to get a temporary shaving waiver at one point. I'm certain that my whiskers weren't remotely close to as curly as yours. You seem like the kind of guy that truly desires to be squared away, so I wish you the absolute best in your career, and hope that your CoC gets your squad leader and platoon sergeant straightened out quickly. Oh yeah, your leadership needs to be aware of what's going on; racism and toxic leadership at any level, squad or otherwise, is unacceptable. Best of luck!
(1)
(0)
LCpl Sidney Green
There are creams and powders that help some, but these are not universal cures. Besides, its not something that can be conquered. Its basically an allergic reaction.
(0)
(0)
LCpl Sidney Green
MAJ(P) (Join to see) - Its a condition that effects a higher number of Black men, but it most certainly is not limited to them.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
I was witness to this problem in Germany from 1968 thru 1971 and the First Sergeant knew of the problem and said as long as the soldier is neat and orderly he sees no problem with the profile. I agree. I have seen profiles for a number of reasons and in most cases they don't prevent the soldier from doing his/her job. The individual muttering under his breath should be reported to the C.O. and disciplinary action taken.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I'm sorry you're experiencing this leadership. Like others suggested, file an EO complaint. Also if your platoon SGT just dismissed it and said to listen to your squad leader, and that doesn't satisfy you, your Commander likely has an open door policy. You can go to him or her and ask if you can use their open door policy (rather than go thru the Chain of Command), and inform them of this situation while also asking them to sign your profile.. If this was happening in my ranks, I would want to know. Good luck!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I feel your pain I had same issue but it was my 1st Sgt who gave me hell about my profile.
He also was black but he pulled me aside and showed me how he shaved and after care .Never had a need for it again
He also was black but he pulled me aside and showed me how he shaved and after care .Never had a need for it again
(2)
(0)
Suspended Profile
First of all, WOW! I admire your restraint, respect for the rank and willingness to comply when bidding against a more senior service member. However, they should have verified you had a profile and it was on your person, once verification happened they should have ensured you were still within regulations with what the profile states. Also, that comment regarding race SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED! That is unprofessional behavior on top of the threat of UCMJ (which they cannot do as NCOs have no authority to issue any UCMJ actions) warrants a conversation with the Commander/1SG or at the very least your PSG. Secondly, you should have never used profanity whenever dealing with a situation like this because in the military (many know this to be true but will likely not admit this) when there’s an issue between two members, the lower ranking will always receive punishment if their actions are unprofessional as well.
This person needs to be reported because that type of toxic leadership is not ok especially in this current climate. They seriously need to do some self-reflecting and be removed from that position if this is how they treat soldiers.
My last piece of advice, you need to read every publication you can regarding the rules and regulations. I’m speaking of UCMJ, dress codes, etc. Do your research and protect yourself in the event another situation like this occurs. You will be better equipped to deal with this situation and know what these “leaders” can and cannot do. As always, maintain your professionalism, practice restraint and be respectful even when others are not. If you must deal with it, they have leaders that will address this. Beat of luck!!
https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/AR.aspx
This person needs to be reported because that type of toxic leadership is not ok especially in this current climate. They seriously need to do some self-reflecting and be removed from that position if this is how they treat soldiers.
My last piece of advice, you need to read every publication you can regarding the rules and regulations. I’m speaking of UCMJ, dress codes, etc. Do your research and protect yourself in the event another situation like this occurs. You will be better equipped to deal with this situation and know what these “leaders” can and cannot do. As always, maintain your professionalism, practice restraint and be respectful even when others are not. If you must deal with it, they have leaders that will address this. Beat of luck!!
https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/AR.aspx
Army DA administrative publications and forms by the Army Publishing Directorate APD. The latest technologies high quality electronic pubs and forms view U.S. Army Regulations and DA Forms.
2
2
0
Fuck no!
1) If you have a no-shaving-profile, don’t shave.
2) If anyone in your chain of command demands that you shave, take the issue up your chain of command.
3) 10 times, out of 10, the reason shit like you just explained happens is because you’re too scared, or confident, to assert your “right(s)”.
Keep your head up and stop letting power-hungry ignorant military soldiers tell you BS.
Good Luck
1) If you have a no-shaving-profile, don’t shave.
2) If anyone in your chain of command demands that you shave, take the issue up your chain of command.
3) 10 times, out of 10, the reason shit like you just explained happens is because you’re too scared, or confident, to assert your “right(s)”.
Keep your head up and stop letting power-hungry ignorant military soldiers tell you BS.
Good Luck
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I seriously can't believe this issue is still around. This is one of the first disciplinary cases I faced when I was a new commander in 1980. In the case I was involved with it turned out that a kindly doctor issued the profile but when other doctors got involved the airmen had other options that would eliminate the problem. Guess this is when I first learned to not necessarily trust the first opinion. A shaving profile is fine if backed up by several medical opinions but one shouldn't blindly accept the profile. Ask for advice from other doctors, up the chain if necessary, and honor the profile until you have a final answer.
(2)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
exactly, the goal should be to solve the problem and not just get a profile. Never had a shaving profile but I did have a "no beret" profile. For some odd reason, I developed an allergy to wool when I was around 45. and guess what those stupid berets were made of? I constantly had a nasty rash across my forehead and basically anywhere the beret touched my skin. Kept that profile in my pocket at all times and wore my PC.
(2)
(0)
SFC Clark Adams
The Dermatologist is a specialist in skin disorders. Most posts or bases have only one if any. The Soldier was evaluated and given a profile as part of his treatment plan. Once a permanent profile is awarded the hospital commander or his representative reviews the paperwork then validates the profile. Any commander foolish enough to refuse to recognize or respect a medical profile is playing with fire . I recall one unit I was in where every Soldier regardless of profile status attended PT, until an NCO had a heart attack and died in formation. Mysteriously those with profiles were excused from PT afterwards!!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Since you do have a profile, needs to be signed by the commander and have to have it with at all times.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google