Posted on Sep 2, 2020
Can I be forced to shave if I have a shaving profile?
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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
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Just hope the NBC mask has a tight seal around the face if ever a bio/chem/nuclear happened.
Sounds like the gentleman has been cursed with bad acne and or allergic to metal creams or plastic or all above.
One would figure with all the "new" technology and scientific knowledge available that the issue of shaving would have been resolved by now. Try a liquid hair remover. As far as the ignorant response, knowledge stamps out ignorance.
However, "wiillful ignorance" proves evidence of fault. There are people all across the human spectrum on this planet that have the skin/shaving irritation issue, not just one protected group. So get better educated. If infighting is allowed to continue within the ranks due to bad perceptions, hidden jealousies, willful ignorant thinking and "whose better than whom" ideologies, and allowed to continue to fester, then might as well not have a military at all. It is defunct from the beginning. Always remember there will be those who will take negative advantage of a needful situation/solution for self-serving ends. Waiting it out without solving the skin hygiene issue just causes needles problems and hassles for everyone involved.
Sounds like the gentleman has been cursed with bad acne and or allergic to metal creams or plastic or all above.
One would figure with all the "new" technology and scientific knowledge available that the issue of shaving would have been resolved by now. Try a liquid hair remover. As far as the ignorant response, knowledge stamps out ignorance.
However, "wiillful ignorance" proves evidence of fault. There are people all across the human spectrum on this planet that have the skin/shaving irritation issue, not just one protected group. So get better educated. If infighting is allowed to continue within the ranks due to bad perceptions, hidden jealousies, willful ignorant thinking and "whose better than whom" ideologies, and allowed to continue to fester, then might as well not have a military at all. It is defunct from the beginning. Always remember there will be those who will take negative advantage of a needful situation/solution for self-serving ends. Waiting it out without solving the skin hygiene issue just causes needles problems and hassles for everyone involved.
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I’m part of my command’s CMEO, you need to report that comment about “like every other black person” it’s unprofessional and disrespectful
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I'm appalled by the racist comment a NCO used. There is no place in MY ARMY (yes my Army any one who serves/served should feel that way) for this type of racism. The NCO apologized later for one simple reason, the NCO knew they were wrong on so many levels. This NCO apologized to try keep you from reporting the misconduct. Sorry for the rant NCOs like this simply disgust me. As for the profile someone did say the Commander must sign it and with that if the Commander chooses to override the profile that should be after discussion with the profile writer. And if the commander chooses not to sign or abide by the profile the do so at their own risk, meaning that they would be responsible if shit went sideways. But if you have a legit profile then no worries pertaining to your Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. If they force you to shave they will knowingly be violating your profile and they will be subject to UCMJ. If you knowing violate your profile you are subject to UCMJ. Be tactful watch your tone and your demeanor when being addressed about your shaving situation and for sure dont curse as that tends to be seen as disrespect.
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It is against military regulation for anyone to give you an order to break a profile. I would imagine the only exception is in a combat situation where lives are on the line, but again, you shouldn't be in that situation either. If I remember correctly, them giving you an order to break the order of a profile is a USMJ violation. You also have an EO complaint, thought it's your word against the Squad Leader's word. As far as cussing him out, that is where part of self discipline comes in. Even if the NCO deserves it, in the long run, practicing self discipline makes you a better soldier and a better person.
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Use a daily moisturizing product that contains salicylic acid or glycolic acid to keep the hairs growing in the right direction .I think working with your platoon leader showing you are making a effort to correct the problem . Being in the Infantry always a chance of being in combat as myself in Vietnam I didn't have to shave . LOL All the best to you and your career .
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The Dermatologist is at least a Captain and Physician. Your Squad Leader a SSgt and your Platoon Sergeant an SFC. A medical order is just as binding as any other.
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That is not correct at all. I have a soldier and he has a profile for shaving and he walks around with a full beard but he does shave here and there when it’s important but I don’t advise him to shave because I know that it really does hurt if you don’t know how to do it correctly. I hate people that try to use there little rank because they feel like it and you can definitely make a complaint on him for being racist cause how is it okay for you to say what you want to a soldier but want him to still respect you.
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Racism aside I'd suggest finding a good barber who can give you a close enough shave that doesn't break off the hairs or pull them out. The problem a lot of Africans have with regular razors is that they'll pull hairs or break them beneath the surface of the skin and cause ingrown hairs and thus worlds of hurt to the face. A good barber should be able to shave those chin hairs close enough but to where it won't cause irritation. You can (and should) definitely take this up the ranks though for the blatant racism. His apology was false in that he said sorry but then was like do it anyway and acted like a child when you reacted with understandable anger.
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i,m white and i had a shaving profile in the 70s coming back from Nam was station in St Paul when i got the profile they can't over step a officer.
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