Can I keep my beard in the reserves if it is job related? Shaving would affect livelihood outside of the reserves.

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 22:23:44 -0400

I run a driving company called "The Smiling Beard". The beard is part of the persona and expected in the company.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2017 10:44 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 22:44:52 -0400

LOL. Is this a serious question? Actually I have no idea about the Navy Reserves. For Army Reserves, at drills you still need to be in compliance with AR 670-1.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Jul 21 at 2017 10:48 PM

SSgt David Tedrow — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 22:48:30 -0400

I highly doubt it. Even when the Navy did allow facial hair it had to be close cropped and within regulation, which yours is not even close.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2017 11:15 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 23:15:19 -0400

Get a really really really good shaving profile, or you're going to have to shave.

Response by PV2 Tim Seigler made Jul 21 at 2017 11:20 PM

PV2 Tim Seigler — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 23:20:36 -0400

No, you'll have to shave for drill. No exceptions.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 21 at 2017 11:23 PM

SFC William Farrell — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 23:23:51 -0400

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member, NO! Perhaps if you were in the Navy in 1860 you could have.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2017 11:32 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 23:32:56 -0400

I know that even recently it has been allowed for certain jobs. Obviously the initial response is that it wouldn't normally be acceptable, but in certain instances it has been allowed. That's why I'm trying to find out if someone knows the actual answer.
Obviously, it wouldn't necessarily be maintained at the current length, but the question is whether it is allowed to remain at all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2017 12:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 00:50:10 -0400

My question for you is if you are a SM then how are you able to have a Beard like that?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2017 12:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 12:50:51 -0400

The reserves is still a part of the military and follow all regulations. It would be a bit unrealistic to expect the military to conform to you.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 22 at 2017 12:55 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 12:55:22 -0400

You will have to shave your beard

Response by SPC Thomas Bourland made Jul 22 at 2017 3:41 PM

SPC Thomas Bourland — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 15:41:06 -0400

You would have a choice to make the beard or being in violation of the military grooming policy. The only time i have seen a commander make an exception was for a law enforcement officer that was undercover and it was a one time exception also the individual was instructed to show up not in uniform also his facial growth was stubble not a full blown beard.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2017 10:43 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 10:43:01 -0400

No, of course not. Just like the beard is " part of the persona and expected in the company" for your private business, being clean shaven is a regulation and expected in the military.

Response by Sarah Zayas made Jul 26 at 2017 4:47 PM

Sarah Zayas — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:47:00 -0400

You could always get a costume beard.

Response by PO2 Kenneth Keeton made Aug 8 at 2017 11:22 AM

PO2 Kenneth Keeton — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 11:22:57 -0400

How does having a beard or lack of affect your civilian life?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 9:38 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 09:38:49 -0500

There are exceptions; I've worked with Navy Reservists that were also undercover law enforcement and they would get a waiver from their specific unit, authorizing them to not shave and also wear civilian clothing on drill weekends.

As far as for a trucking company, again, that would be up to the specific command.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 11:04 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 11:04:15 -0500

Sorry PO2-Clearly, the answer is "no".

I do historical re-enactment, and there are periods I represent in which facial hair is "expected". When I was still a drilling member of the SELRES, I had to meet regulations at every drill, and certainly did (and still do) shave whenever I wore the uniform. I think it's safe to say you're "ok" off duty, out of uniform, between drills.

Even more interesting? Even as a civilian, I occasionally get asked to do a WWI U.S. Navy impression...guess what, beard's gotta come off then too.

Wish we could sport the beard as Sailors like they did back in "the day"...but regulations are regulations.