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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Do you have documentation that you have a shaving profile . If not deal with it .
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Brother, do your 4 years and get out. You just found out the hard way that the military is racist and that no one gives an absolute fuck about you. It's all power trip.
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I had a shaving profile and I kept it trimmed as best I could without bleeding from breaking the bumps. I am not a black man and this post sounds more like racist ranting and wanting validation from the people that don't know you. This post should never been publicized but handled at the company level. in my opinion you and your squad leader should be put out of the military, and banned for life from re-entering in any branch.
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I went through the same thing while in Nam. While in a secure company , MACV Head Quarters I developed a really bad rash on my face and the hair was getting infected from shaving three times a day to look presentable. I ended up with a permanent shaving profile, just had to keep it trimmed not like a full beard. I have my beard today 51 years later. Go to the Dr. or medic and ask for a profile and carry it with you, buy the way most of the guys in Pakistan, Iraq and other countries wear a beard not to offend their customs????
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Having read your information, allow me to try and help.
The reason those of african decent get shaving bumps is because unlike (example given here) white people, african hair grows at an angle. I have known people with shaving bump issues, and they usually have to shave using nair or something of the sort. That is because it dissolves the hair. Try and electric razor, or the dissolving products, but work with the medics so that if you get a reaction they can fix it and also have your back medically.
Furthermore, you need to go to the medics and tell them what has happened with your command structure. They are blatantly breaking military regulations. Medics outrank EVERYONE in the interest of the soldier they are treating. PERIOD. Do not let it go, but don't curse anyone out or do anything against regulations yourself.
The main 2 reasons that your ranking superiors are making a big issue out of this, boils down to TWO things :
1) Military uniformity (I.E. : TEAMwork)
2) Beards do not allow a seal with gasmasks, and if you go into combat you will not have a proper gasmask seal and could be exposed to anything NBC related.
The reason those of african decent get shaving bumps is because unlike (example given here) white people, african hair grows at an angle. I have known people with shaving bump issues, and they usually have to shave using nair or something of the sort. That is because it dissolves the hair. Try and electric razor, or the dissolving products, but work with the medics so that if you get a reaction they can fix it and also have your back medically.
Furthermore, you need to go to the medics and tell them what has happened with your command structure. They are blatantly breaking military regulations. Medics outrank EVERYONE in the interest of the soldier they are treating. PERIOD. Do not let it go, but don't curse anyone out or do anything against regulations yourself.
The main 2 reasons that your ranking superiors are making a big issue out of this, boils down to TWO things :
1) Military uniformity (I.E. : TEAMwork)
2) Beards do not allow a seal with gasmasks, and if you go into combat you will not have a proper gasmask seal and could be exposed to anything NBC related.
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Having read your information, allow me to try and help.
The reason those of african decent get shaving bumps is because unlike (example given here) white people, african hair grows at an angle. I have known people with shaving bump issues, and they usually have to shave using nair or something of the sort. That is because it dissolves the hair. Try and electric razor, or the dissolving products, but work with the medics so that if you get a reaction they can fix it and also have your back medically.
The reason those of african decent get shaving bumps is because unlike (example given here) white people, african hair grows at an angle. I have known people with shaving bump issues, and they usually have to shave using nair or something of the sort. That is because it dissolves the hair. Try and electric razor, or the dissolving products, but work with the medics so that if you get a reaction they can fix it and also have your back medically.
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Unfortunately I experienced the same harassment earlier in my military career couldn't grow facial hair until I was 20 years old but my face would bump up. I had shaving profiles and was harassed but just ignored them. If you are threatened with a Art 15, demand a court martial. Use your chain of command and if they fail you, you might want to reach out to the IG. I receive 10% disability for PFB ingrown shaving bumps I am retired military. Some people aren't educated enough to realize PFB is for real and think we purposely bump up our faces to wear a beard? Not true, course, coily hairs curly up into bumps. Let your dermatologist know about your situation and get advice or even JAG and get legal advice. I wouldn't walk around with my face rushed up because "They" have an issue with it, Good luck !
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PV2 Duane Schlender
I am one of the few white people (that I know of) that actually understands that african hair grows AT AN ANGLE). Most white people think all hair grows straight. The angled growth is what causes the bumps.
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Both of you were unprofessional at that point, as far as comments towards one another, and cursing at your leadership is something you're gonna have to stand tall and answer for. Your medical documentation is what covers your butt. If one link in your chain of command isnt functioning as they should, you take this issue to the next level, dont ever ever ever lose your professional demeanor. Not ever. And lastly I cant stress enough, using your chain of command, it's there for a reason. It allows those who get paid to make corrections do their jobs appropriately.
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You have to operate within the limits of your profile. If you shave and become NMC due to the resulting sickness, you possible face disciplinary action.... Possibly. As for your immediate COC, you need to escalate this issue with your PSG or higher. The Army is trying its best to get rid of Toxic leadership and toxic mentality, so it appears that your immediate COC require some remedial training in soldier care. Good luck.
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