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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No this isn't right at all. Sounds like you have some Toxic leaders within your formation. I personally don't like shaving profiles as most SM don't know how to keep an unshaven face looking presentable. But, that being said your Team Leader, Squad Leader, PSG, Hell even your 1SG nor your CDR can over rule a Doctors Profile. They may discuss with the Doctor and try to have it reevaluated but they can not over rule it. Now you getting a Perm shaving profile right off the bat is not how the system is supposed to work, It is supposed to be a process with a temp profile and trying different things from the dermatologist. A perm profile for shaving normally takes about 6 to 8 months if done correctly. I would do a couple things. 1. talk to your EO representative (as the comment made by your SQD LDR is concerning) 2. Go back to your dermatologist and ask for other courses of action, things to try. 3. talk with others who have the same issue and how they deal with it.
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The top answer to your question is "No, this isn't right". When a medical doctor issues a physical profile regardless of reason, the individual soldier can get in big trouble for violating that profile. Your chain of command should know that.
Having said that, I served on an MOS Medical Review Board(MMRB) that evaluated soldiers with medical profiles to determine whether that condition was sufficient to warrant the soldier being discharged, or remaining on active duty. The board also had a medical officer as a member. I remember a case of a young black Sergeant that came to us with a shaving profile. He was clean shaven, and looked incredible. It appears he and his dermatologist had developed a treatment that provided him relief sufficient to clear his skin of the condition. We applauded the soldier and his dermatologist, both of whom were serving in the First Cavalry Division at the time. You may want to inquire of your dermatologist to see if he or she is familiar with any such treatment. Good luck, and I wish you well.
Having said that, I served on an MOS Medical Review Board(MMRB) that evaluated soldiers with medical profiles to determine whether that condition was sufficient to warrant the soldier being discharged, or remaining on active duty. The board also had a medical officer as a member. I remember a case of a young black Sergeant that came to us with a shaving profile. He was clean shaven, and looked incredible. It appears he and his dermatologist had developed a treatment that provided him relief sufficient to clear his skin of the condition. We applauded the soldier and his dermatologist, both of whom were serving in the First Cavalry Division at the time. You may want to inquire of your dermatologist to see if he or she is familiar with any such treatment. Good luck, and I wish you well.
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I'm gonna be honest with you...if you plan on staying in the military and becoming a senior NCO you gonna have to come off that profile and figure something out.I know shaving can be hard for us Brothers with the hairs curling back in but trust me trying to make E-7 with a shaving profile is even harder....
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I don't think we had a shaving protocol when I was in but if there is one and you have it I don't see how you can be forced to. Now the way he expressed his order is just purely racist and I know that is against the regulations so while I was handling my complaint to a superior on that I would also add that to my complaint.
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First off I am retired a long time.So some of what I have to say may not apply,but my PSG had razor bumps,and if he used a razor the bumps got worse.The local PX sold a product called Magic shaving powder that he could and did use.White powder user simlply dampened the powder applied it,then it could be wiped off or scraped off with a plastic knife.Smelled bad,worked well,he only used it about three times a week.I saw the same product in the PX at JBLM a couple years ago,the container said they had gotten rid of the bad smell.The N.C.O that was giving you a hard time about your profile should reported up the CoC.axxholes like that cause a lot of problems for everyone.
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A shaving profile is a medical issue bottom line. It can turn into an infection and your leaders can get into serious trouble if it gets worse. The platoon sergeant should know better. Just because they don’t like it for their own reasons is their tough luck. If they keep pushing the issue go up the chain and if that doesn’t work, talk to the I.G. Sometimes you have to look out for yourself.
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Maybe instead of letting it get 1/4" long you should just buzz it daily... before I joined the military I never grew my beard out but I buzzed it all daily.
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Well first off if you have an MILITARY profile, "not a civilian profile" as you have to get to TMC and have an Army Doctor or PA convert ANY profile you have from a civilian doctor to a military one. Only an Army doctor can give you a Military Profile, unless they are a DA civilian who works with the Military. Second of all if you have a Military Profile, no level or chain of command can override a profile. ANY profile. I don't care if it is for a sprang toe they do not have the authority. Second of all if you had ANYONE refer to you as black because of Anything you need to have an EO complaint brought against that person. They have no business being in charge of anything or anyone. Would make no difference if he is white or black that kind of shit has no place in the Military. I know many many black men who can not shave because it is just too painful and have a profile because of them. I also know white and latino men who have them as well. That is not a disqualifying medical condition from active service. Especially when many of those men can out Soldier most anyone else I know. So let me give you some advice. Learn the regulations and rules of being in the Army and never stop learning them because that is what will get you to the highest rank you want to go. Well that and good work ethics and good leadership skills.
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Clippers are what you need...I had a No Shave Chit a couple times in my 4 year Service in the Marine Corps but our NCO’s ALWAYS honored the chit...get you some clippers man so that Butt Hole will leave you alone
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Become a Shiek or a Norse Pagan, Get a Beard Waiver, Enjoy the rest of your days in the army with a full proud beard!
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