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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Your squad leader is not a doctor and you need to file an EO complaint.
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We had this problem in Viet Nam, made worse by climate and field conditions. We didn't handle it any better then.
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This was a problem in Viet Nam, made worse by the climate and conditions in the field. We didn't handle it any better then.
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Bottom Line, you need to report his initial comment. That is a blatant and racist comment and completely unnecessary. It sounds to me like you have. Been following you profile, like others have said in the comments, keep that profile on you at all times. If you feel comfortable enough to speak with your PSG or PL about the incident, then go do that, if they ignore it, use your COs open door policy. The EO violation is the one that concerns me the most, shaving profiles are not new or unique, so for your SL to feel so strongly about you shaving to say something like that is not okay and will bread that toxicity in the unit.
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Absolutely not! You obtained a (needed) waiver for medical reasons, explained your reason for not shaving respectively and was still berated by your leadership for it. I would take it to your next highest level of enlisted leadership and explain the situation.
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I’m a retired light infantry 1SG and let’s start with the obvious .. I had a battle that when I first came in that had shaving profile that was shown and respected and everyone in his food chain new it . Your 1SG has an open door policy that you can request to see him directly. Be careful with doing that before also touching base with your PSG . Next you need to thicken up your skin when someone above you talks and maintain your baring . Part of being in is earning your place and taking the heat when it comes . Make sure you know the difference between someone attacking an issue and attacking you as a man . Their is a big difference. One thing in the army that comes free is an asschewing .
I think you SQD LDR is keen on someone fresh in cursing at him and I agree . If you keep your bearing and keep it tactful he can’t do anything about your words .
Saying the F word isn’t the right way to go .
Now let’s address the profile . Your within your right not to shave but bring up the food chain to keep it in tact by going to PSG and if that doesn’t work go to the 1SG through the open door policy .
Remember attack issues not people . Leave your personal opinion at the door . The military is a profession not a job and it a way of life . Drive on new blue cord brother and keep trying to do what’s right .
I think you SQD LDR is keen on someone fresh in cursing at him and I agree . If you keep your bearing and keep it tactful he can’t do anything about your words .
Saying the F word isn’t the right way to go .
Now let’s address the profile . Your within your right not to shave but bring up the food chain to keep it in tact by going to PSG and if that doesn’t work go to the 1SG through the open door policy .
Remember attack issues not people . Leave your personal opinion at the door . The military is a profession not a job and it a way of life . Drive on new blue cord brother and keep trying to do what’s right .
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Here's a scenario. "You need to shave". "Roger that". Problem i have is the explanation. Just be quiet and shave to the best of your ability. Then if your squad leader says anything after you say " this is the best I can do, here is my shave chit". As far as the comment like every other in the army, instead of looking at him like its a racist comment, how about you understand the frustration because we all know damn well people that abuse the system. Was is unprofessional, sure but infantry unit it happens. Was it racist? Give me a break.
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The squad leader obviously doesn't understand the curly hair is what causes the hair bumps. A permanent profile is just that permanent. He shouldn't have used physical and as punishment.
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If you have a valid profile and you are within standards no one can make you shave. Having said that, don’t get caught out of tolerance. If you NCO’s persist ask to see the 1SG on his open door. Making you shave could cause infection or worse.
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