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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This is a NCO Who is basing this on race not the Medical AR on the shaving chit second the medical department should be sending you to a dermatologist the medication you apply will stop the bump after shaving next please contact your black CSgtMajor thru your chain of command. But first get medical help if they refuse submit a person action request thru the chain of command then see if their is a black 1st Sgt who can talk to you off line. The NCO should know this is a medical issue not a personal issue also if you pay for tricare go to a outside dermatologist.or the va hospital keep all medical records this is a service connection issue under scars on the face.my email is [login to see]
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Well even when I was in and I retired in 1998 I had the soldiers with a shaving profile to go to the local PX and they sold a powder that mixed with water to make a paste which could be used that took the hair off and all was satisfied with it. Didn’t break the profile and worked quite well. The soldiers didn’t mind using it and it stopped the hair from growing back into ones face and making bumps on ones face which I would think would have hurt quite badly. Our Doctors started prescribing the paste before handing out profiles left and right. I’m most sure today’s Army has something similar you could suggest before all parties are getting all upset.
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No they cannot!!! To do so they are saying that whatever officer you saw was not correct. That's like telling a guy with a broken leg he has to do a 2 mile run, or a pregnant woman she has to do sit ups. I would report the EO problem right away. I would also go back to the dermatologist and tell them you were ordered to shave at this time, by this person, on that day, and tell them he threatened you with disciplinary action if you did not do so. I would also let my CO know the same thing before I went back to the dermatologist. I am a licensed barber and I know the pain and damage that can be done if you do shave. Good Luck!!
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no its not right...tell the medical people what happened..their perscription was not being followed because it offend some jerks sence of how a soldier should look...I once had a friend who needed such a waver bedly ( his face looked like ground beef after he shaved and then like a pimple party for weeks after) he could never get one..because he was caucasian....so sad..hope you are doing better
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As a medic in the infantry who has dealt with this exact problem with many fellow soldiers: I highly suggest you get one of those battery powered pocket shavers...find one that works well for you and always have it on you with your profile. When you are asked to shave, you can simply say "yes, sergeant" and whip it out right there on the spot. If they have an issue, then you show the profile. This way you are still showing them the respect they want while maintaining your health. This will help your leaders to understand one of the most hated profiles in the military.
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That’s EO! And not only your squad leader but your platoon SGT are friggin idiots who need to be relieved…after they are charged with an EO complaint! And btw, I’m retired infantry. See your company commander, and read up on Mepcom 40-501. Know your rights when you have a profile. They need to stop taking testosterone shots.
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Unfortunately your NCOs were wrong and I consider their statements harassment; senior leadership should be informed. Only real physical problem I know of with not being able to shave is failure to get a good seal with gas mask and increased possibility of burn from flash fire.
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Suspended Profile
Dude you have razor bumps don’t shave. I was a fmf corpsman and I had a shave profile. I always carried it with me and if they violate it go to your platoon leader which is violating an order. FYI your skin can get infected if you shave with razor bumps. If I was there I would have said something to your squad leader for his stupid remark.
Utilize the chain of command and always be respectful it sucks being at the bottom of the chain but it doesn’t last long. I had an issue with a corporal at my first command who was highly disrespectful to me all the time. I picked up HM3 at Viper right before the deployment and the guy actually avoided me. I picked up 2nd class a year later and the guy really avoided me after. He also got busted back down to lance criminal in that time.
Utilize the chain of command and always be respectful it sucks being at the bottom of the chain but it doesn’t last long. I had an issue with a corporal at my first command who was highly disrespectful to me all the time. I picked up HM3 at Viper right before the deployment and the guy actually avoided me. I picked up 2nd class a year later and the guy really avoided me after. He also got busted back down to lance criminal in that time.
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