Is a standard black and white?

The question is that mission needs will always dictate enforcement of standards. Take for example when I was in the Air Force we use to have recalls where a person would get a phone call in the middle of the night. The point was that we were simulating going to war. In which case the standard was you come in no showering or shaving just throw on your uniform and get to work. Once you signed in you waited for your tasks and then started to knock them out.
While standards are important it has been my experience that most standards are flexible usually by the commander. There are some that are iron clad mainly for security reasons. It is just a matter of reading and interpreting what the regulation says and that is all of the regulation. Because some will surprise you, an example of this is that in the old AFI 34-219 prior to 2007 it stated that an AF member could have a beer with "a meal" it never defined what meal and it did not define how big the beer had to be, I used this fact to get a day off of work. So it pays to read the entire regulation.

SSG V. Michelle Woods For all of those who think it is that simple.

Well this is an interesting point of view, and here is my take on it:

You mention a chow hall. To me, as a veteran of Marine Corps deployments, there is no such thing as a chow hall unless you're in the rear with the gear. Such a location would not be tiny, and it would also have other amenities, in addition to the chow hall, associated with larger FOBs (midnight sandwiches, MWR, showers, etc.). In this case, they definitely need to go shave and shower. There are multiple units in these locations, and nobody wants to be known as the undisciplined gaggle. Plus, chances are approximately 100% that they will still have access to after-hours food services or MREs as a last resort.

On the flip side, and what I have experienced, if this is truly a small, forward location, there would be no chow hall. You would have a small Patrol Base being manned by half of a platoon who alternate sleep/watch/patrol schedules to maintain control over the area for which they are responsible. In this case, all they'll have is MREs, HOWEVER, even though the food would still be there after they shave, they should eat first. It is a core responsibility as leadership in situations such as this to not only maintain, but to promote morale as much as possible. The shaving will still happen. So there wouldn't be a violation of standards. It will just be delayed shortly while a group of weary Marines (soldiers, sailors, etc.) try to relax and regroup after what has been at the very least a very physically trying mission.

You let them eat. Taking care of our Soldiers should always be first priority. I would have no problem getting talked to or yelled at for this decision. I would be quick to point out the facts of the mission and tell whom ever is making the on the spot correct that they are not wrong however my guys have been out on a long mission and do to the short time frame to get them in to eat that they have been directed to shave right after eating with no exceptions.

We are all selective. I mean who really tracks down their male Soldiers to ensure that they are shaving on leave? How about when a female's hair is out of place during APFT? Do we stop them? I like to think that I have what few people seem to have at times as it is not issued by the military: common sense. Get those Soldiers to chow. You have to take care of your Soldiers. I remember when I had friends who were in Iraq and they had to go on convoys to go get hygiene products like soap. I mailed them boxes in order for him to give to his troops like a good leader that I know he was. How about the first wave of troops into Iraq? They barely had time to stop and sleep and no shelter when they did but their own vehicles. Did they shave? I bet you that most did not do it on a daily basis.

Food first, shave later

How is this even a question? Obviously, let them eat! People first, always. I've been chewed out, I can handle it. If someone wants to question me letting someone fresh off of patrol eat because they haven't shaved, they can go ahead and take my crows.

When we were in Iraq/Kuwait in 2003, we had water rations, so it was drink water or shave and shower with your drinking water. Which do you presume I did? I actually cursed out folks who tried to bathe with other than baby wipes for those two months invading the country all the way to Mosul. I think it was something like 37 days without a shower and 15 or so for shaving. The battalion commander and all who were "getting with it" did not have time to either.

Point is, some of my aircrew flew to Doha and were in the PX picking up things and were dressed out by a LTC for smelling and not having a clean face. The folks in Doha were not crossing the border 3-4 daily inserting troops and living in the back of a Chinook for more than 30 days. Situational awareness is key when determining to enforce or not.

Definitely Eat!

SSG Woods, you are confusing picking and choosing which standard to enforce, with using common sense and protecting the health and welfare of the Soldiers.

The Soldiers need to eat to be healthy, now, had they been at the FOB for a longer period of time then rushed at the last minute to get chow after messing around doing nothing first, then that may be a different story. But in your scenario, let them eat and then let them be on their way to get cleaned up and shaved.

My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind, accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. Sums it up


***EDIT***
I have read your responses talking about proving that regs should not always be enforced. Of course you will enforce the shaving regulation just not before the Soldier eats. You have priorities as a leader. To be a GOOD leader you have to know how to prioritize! All regulations matter and need to be enforced, but in this case health and welfare of the Soldiers takes priority over shaving. Both WILL be done in the end.