Posted on Mar 17, 2015
Does The Military Still Force Dry Shaving In Basic Training
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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.
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.
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Punishment
Punishment
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 15
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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
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
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
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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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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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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I went through Ft. Benning in 2006. We never had anyone have to dry shave, although the Drill Sergeants made us shave the night before and used a stop watch to time our showers in the evening. I did have somebody swipe my razor and have to use a disposable head by itself for awhile. That was fun.....
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I saw two guys stand outside the CQ office and dry shave for about 20 minutes for not being clean shaven. Also had a kid in my bay who only shaved a few times all of OSUT, he managed to get by with it. Just didn't have any facial hair.
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I was never forced to dry shave, but I did do it a few times in order to save time
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SPC Robert Stewart
Never to save time, but to avoid ice cold water when in the field in winter myself.
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SGT (Join to see), I started BCT in NOV69 at Fort Jackson (Tank Hill), SC. Only one basic trainee had to dry shave that I remember. At a morning formation during inspection, it was clear he had either not shaved, or had shaved the night before and it had grown out too much to be acceptable. The Senior Field Leader (an SFC) made him dry shave in front of the entire company in the winter cold.
Needless to say, everyone made sure that they were clean shaven for morning formation from that moment on.
Mission accomplished.
Needless to say, everyone made sure that they were clean shaven for morning formation from that moment on.
Mission accomplished.
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I dry shave every day. Actually builds up my skin. Shave in the morning and at night. No issues here. And I even have sensitive skin. If I let it go too long then dry shaving is painful
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SGT (Join to see)
That's awesome,if you can do it. Does it take you longer dry shaving than with shaving Cream?
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CH (MAJ) William Beaver
Takes about 60 to 90 seconds. Again. Sharp disposable blade and keep myself clean shaven.
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SGT (Join to see)
Very interesting. I sure wasn't expecting a positive answer like that. In Nam, my beard was thin so when I was able to shave, my face was usually sweaty enough I didn't need water. One thing I did learn was to shave without a mirror and I still do that in the shower.
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CH (MAJ) William Beaver
Well SGT , I must confess I use the mirror. If not , I do a hack job and my Chaplain Asst calls me on it
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I don't recall any dry-shaving.
What I remember was shaving during hygiene at night, and we had a couple guys with DARK hair and 5 o'clock shadow at 9am the following morning. DI's told them to shave in the morning instead. For the most part the hygiene inspection at night made sure everyone wasn't overly nasty.
What I remember was shaving during hygiene at night, and we had a couple guys with DARK hair and 5 o'clock shadow at 9am the following morning. DI's told them to shave in the morning instead. For the most part the hygiene inspection at night made sure everyone wasn't overly nasty.
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During my basic training, I had never shaved before then. The first morning of basic, in formation, I was singled out because my peach fuzz was too long. To reming me to shave clean every morning, I was forced to dry shave. We used double razors back then which were known to cause lacerations and bumps on the face. They gave me an old rusty looking razor and soon, zip, zop, my face was ripped to shreds. EeeeYoww!
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