Posted on Jul 30, 2014
SGT Bn C&E Ncoic
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Who does it? According to the new AR670-1, SM has to be clean shaven while in uniform or in civilian attire while On Duty. Thing is, I've heard many SNCO's say that even off duty you have to be clean shaven. What is your input in this matter? Do you shave while on leave or on the weekends?
I usually don't shave on weekends or on leave, and I live On Post. I've been downrange for the past 10 months so the new AR 670-1 came out while I was out here. Don't know if a CSM is gonna come and chew my butt out for not shaving on a Saturday coming out of the PX lol.
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SGT Writer
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Edited >1 y ago
I grow out all my facial hair until hours before I end my leave. My facial hair grows slow. After a month of leave, I'll only have a bit of chin hair to show off.
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SGT Jimmy Carpenter
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Ac7df590
I shaved this morning
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SFC Maintenance Nco
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You win best response. I'm gonna need you in ASU's and shaved to accept your award. Lol
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SFC Christopher Taggart
SFC Christopher Taggart
8 y
Must've been your legs, Sir! lol
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SGM Billy Herrington
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He/she has nothing else to bitch about so let's find a guy who's on leave with facial hair so I can exert my personal opinion/preference.

Here's the excerpt from AR 670-1 specifically addressing facial hair. Notice it doesn't specify about being off duty or in a leave status, only in a duty status.

(b) Facial hair. Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted. If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see lines C and D of fig 3–1), or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose (see line B of fig 3–1). Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized. If appropriate medical authority allows beard growth, the maximum length authorized for medical treatment must be specific. For example, “The length of the beard cannot exceed 1/4 inch” (see Training Bulletin Medical (TB Med) 287). Soldiers will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by the appropriate medical authority, but are not authorized to shape the hair growth (examples include, but are not limited to goatees, “Fu Manchu,” or handlebar mustaches).

In my opinion it's a douche move. I don't give a damn about your shaving habits when you are not on duty.
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SFC Maintenance Nco
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THANK YOU! lol
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SGM Billy Herrington
SGM Billy Herrington
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You're welcome. I don't shave on the weekends or on leave regularly. I'll give my face three or four days rest. I don't grow facial hair very beardly, so I do shave it, but it makes it easier to whip into shape when it's time to go to work with minimal razor burn.

I've found, for me, if I go a long time I bump up pretty bad the first week back at shaving.
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MSG Pat Colby
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Well if the Senior NCO's WIFE said you are wrong then it's settled.
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MSG Senior Maintenance Supervisor
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I'm yet to see a Soldier, NCO or Officer who is on leave for an extended amount of time not grow a beard or some type of facial hair. Regardless of what the regulation says many Senior NCOs take pride in being a Soldier 24/7 and expect others to feel the same way. Many units frown upon Soldiers who wear a mustache, that's why I don't wear one now. Your never wrong if it's in black and white.
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SGT Squad Leader
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iIabsolutely agree with you MSG but im just stating whats in the regulation
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SFC Maintenance Nco
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Couldn't agree more
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SFC Maintenance Nco
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SSG Stephan Pendarvis - Honestly I'm just giving my face a much needed break. No harm no foul is how I'm looking at it. Not like I'm going to the motor pool or the Battalion area looking like this that's for sure.
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SSG Stephan Pendarvis
SSG Stephan Pendarvis
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Roger that...like I said it don't apply to everyone. I did grow my just a little. But I always liked mine shaved.. A break is good though.
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SGT English/Language Arts Teacher
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Good question. I don't remember a lot of fuss over it. Some didn't shave in the field.
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1px xxx
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SGT (Join to see) - You say "some" men didn't shave in the field? Maybe the US Army has changed over the years . . . but I remember a lot of guys in the field . . . on search and destroy . . . on recon . . . on mountain tops . . . and deep in the jungle . . . who, well, they not only didn't shave . . . they didn't brush their teeth . . . didn't bathe . . . didn't wear underwear . . . instead devoting their hygiene time to tick and leach removal, They cleaned up just fine when they returned to civilization . . . but were filthy in the field. Warmest Regards, Sandy ;)
SGT English/Language Arts Teacher
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You are hilarious! There were a few of those I guess!!!
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CWO4 Branch Head
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As Marines, we are required to be clean shaven 24/7. It is understood that we are Marines 24/7 and therefore always on duty. to me it's personal pride in how I look. I know that facial hair has gained in popularity over the past few years, but unless I'm staying in my house all day....I shave.
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CWO4 Branch Head
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11 y
First off, not sure what the reference is "MX". Please enlighten me. Second, sarge, they are leave and liberty regs, not pass..... That is some army BS there.... Third, i know our regulations inside and out, and unlike the army, we are Marines 24/7.... And take pride in that. So if you would like to challenge me, go for it, otherwise, STOP TROLLING.
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MAJ Battalion Pa
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While I understand your retort, please don't blanket statement passes as "Army BS," or infer that I stopped being a Soldier once I got home and took off my uniform. I will always be a Paratrooper. That was never a 9-5 job. That is a lifestyle, and a title that was earned. I have nothing but respect for Marines, and I think that saying we are not Soldiers 24/7 goes further than an interservice jab into being plain disrespectful.
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PO1 Sonar Supervisor
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This post makes me very glad that I'm in the Navy!! I never shave while off duty.
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SFC Battalion S2 Intelligence Ncoic
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Check your post policy letters. Ft Hood, for example, requires you to be clean shaven on/off duty or while on pass or leave even though the AR doesn't specify.
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CW3 Network Architect
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MAJ B, I seriously doubt that, and I have an anecdote in opposition to that.

I have a friend who worked for USACAPOC HQ. There were two episodes that happened to her.

1. She got raped, reported it, and after she was harassed while she was sick with bronchitis by the female detective, charges were filed against her for false reporting, DESPITE the fact that there was physical evidence proving she'd been raped.

2. My friend had an off duty job at a bar, and someone ELSE sold beer to someone underage, but SHE got cited for it, because they tried to blame it on her, despite several witnesses who say that she didn't do it.

Now, before any court action on these two things, the CG gave her a GOMAR. She appealed it on the grounds that she'd not been convicted of anything, and before the appeal results came back, both charges against her were dismissed......

The GOMAR came back where the CG directed that it be filed locally.....then he PCSed elsewhere.

So don't even try to tell me that commanders can't get away with being unreasonable. Commanders have an incredible amount of power......
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
>1 y
Negative, I have not seen it or heard of it from our BDE.
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SFC Battalion S2 Intelligence Ncoic
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It also states earlier in the handbook that all soldiers are expected to read, comprehend and follow all Policy Letters. As previously addressed on this thread, the III Corps Policy Letter mandates a professional appearance while off duty. I was raised that a professional image mandated a shave instead of having some rubble. Maybe that's just me.
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Lt Col Instructor Navigator
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Honestly, I'd be more concerned about the Tapout tank-tops and sagging pants than I would be about missing one day of shaving, were I trying to enforce a "professional image".
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SFC S2 Intelligence Ncoic
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Whenever authorized, I do not shave. SNCO'S should know better than to tell soldiers that they still have to shave while off duty. Fair is fair.
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SFC Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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Because you were at a community function on post read ar671-1 chapter 3 3-1 (2)(b) Facial hair. Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted.

It might not be in a working capacity but it was still a function on post.

Revised AR 670-1 dated April 10 2015 and the new DA PAM 670-1 were released.
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SFC Maintenance Nco
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It was indeed on post, open to civilians, I'm off duty, on leave and with my wife and 2 children. I assumed I'd be good to attend a family function without being given grief on my facial hair. That nco did nothing but annoy me while I was out with my family.
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SFC Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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I know it sucks. I will not say anything to a Soldier unless I Know for 100% they are a Soldier in my unit. But again I am SKO on a tradoc post and rules are different here vs other posts.

I do not shave while on leave, pass or weekend unless I have to go on post.
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SFC Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
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Also take a look at the FT Drum regulations. You might have to save while even off duty. There was a read a head power point that tells you what the new changes are going to be. Good all this information and you will find it. It was briefed that you had to be clean shave even while off duty, leave or pass unless you were in the dwelling of your own home. But I could not find it in the regulation. Reading is your best friend if you want to progress.
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