Posted on Mar 17, 2015
SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
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Shaving in Basic Training has been known to cause Pseudofolliculitis Barbae or Razor bumps a painful and unsightly problem for Service Members. Razor bumps are often found on the face, and the back of the neck. This occurs quite frequently in basic, as young men are forced to shave prematurely.
They occur after forced shaving… You’ll experience this in boot camp, when your Drill Sergeant holds a formation in front of the sinks, and proceeds to give a period of instruction about the importance of shaving. Just so you know ahead of time, your Drill Sergeant doesn’t have a clue about proper skin care or if you have enough hair to shave.
Posted in these groups: Handcuffs 2249048b Punishment
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Responses: 15
SPC Counterintelligence Agent
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I didn't own a razor. My father never taught me to shave because I didn't have facial hair. I get to basic and the weeks in I get one hair, I don't notice. Suffice it to say a random inspection occurs and you would have thought I'd hung out with Jane Fonda, assisted Benedict Arnold's treason, and handed over the nails used in Jesus' crucifixion.
When he found out I didn't buy a razor, it got worse. So, after shaving under his supervision for the remaining five weeks, for what a tweezer would have fixed, I'm the proud owner of the scaggliest beard in the world, if I would ever let it grow.
Sui
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PO2 Robert Cuminale
PO2 Robert Cuminale
>1 y
I was a blonde once and also didn't shave regularly. But there was still facial hair their. On morning inspection we had to face the sun so it could be seen and were gigged for it. Not having a beard was no excuse for not shaving.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MAJ Ronnie Reams
10 mo
Looks as if he would have seen you did not have a razor in your Foot Locker, lay out for Saturday morning inspection.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
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While the requirement to be clean shaven does exist.....Soldiers have the option to shave before formations on their own - when they fail to do so, they are given the opportunity to shave in front of the Drill Sergeant.....it is truly the choice of the Soldier - and explained as such ahead of time.
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SGT Infantryman (Airborne)
SGT (Join to see)
9 y
Holy cow. The times they have changed.
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MAJ Todd Lamb
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As a former Infantry Basic Training Commander, the thing you have to think about is (1) personal hygiene around 240 strangers and (2) The safety of your unit. I never would allow my Drills to make someone Dry Shave, but I could and would make them shave. You wind up with a few pigs at Benning who have never made a rack in their lives, so personal hygiene has to be enforced, since some wont do it. Hint: shave before first formation.
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