Posted on Apr 19, 2016
Should beards be allowed in the Marine Corps?
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So, there is this connotation that beards are unprofessional. This may have been true at one point, but no one can really argue that this is true today: statistically, bearded men get paid more and are preferred for management. Now here is the issue: beards used to be common in the military, but now is the exception to the rule (as a religious factor- and that is only in the Army!) In other works, if you are Sikh and enlist in the USMC, good-bye facial hair- you are just like anyone else...
The entire purpose of the clean shave was to ensure you could get a good seal on your gas mask, which is why you look at history and see those glorious beards and mustaches. In the early 1900s, it was stated that this facial hair will kill you, because you cannot get a good seal on your gas mask... While recently (allegedly) it was proven (by the Army) to be a non-factor in getting a good seal- I cannot confirm nor deny that this happened- but it does beg the question: if facial hair is a non-issue as it pertains to warfare, then why is it an issue?
Although I approve of the current policy, I wonder- if an Army Sikh officer can get a good seal on a gas mask with a full beard, then why can't the rest of us? I mean, it's not exactly tradition to have a clean shave; just look at a list of the Commandants! So... is it really unprofessional to have a beard, or is it a matter of being hard to regulate? And if it is it a matter of regulation, is it simply a lack of empathy on the subject? Keep in mind I don't care either way; I will maintain a clean shave because I look weird if I don't, but when you cut out tradition, and history, and practicality... It just doesn't make sense. Your thoughts, ladies and gents...
The entire purpose of the clean shave was to ensure you could get a good seal on your gas mask, which is why you look at history and see those glorious beards and mustaches. In the early 1900s, it was stated that this facial hair will kill you, because you cannot get a good seal on your gas mask... While recently (allegedly) it was proven (by the Army) to be a non-factor in getting a good seal- I cannot confirm nor deny that this happened- but it does beg the question: if facial hair is a non-issue as it pertains to warfare, then why is it an issue?
Although I approve of the current policy, I wonder- if an Army Sikh officer can get a good seal on a gas mask with a full beard, then why can't the rest of us? I mean, it's not exactly tradition to have a clean shave; just look at a list of the Commandants! So... is it really unprofessional to have a beard, or is it a matter of being hard to regulate? And if it is it a matter of regulation, is it simply a lack of empathy on the subject? Keep in mind I don't care either way; I will maintain a clean shave because I look weird if I don't, but when you cut out tradition, and history, and practicality... It just doesn't make sense. Your thoughts, ladies and gents...
Posted in these groups: 
Marines
Grooming Standards
Marines Grooming Standards
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 186
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Not only should you have beards, but everyone should be issued skinny jeans, and deep Vee t-shirts. There should be a barista training class in that ridiculously long bootcamp. Maybe cut out shooting and replace it with, "How to make the perfect lotta."
You realized that the Marines are the only branch left that actually are encouraged to kill the enemy. Why do you want to screw that up? Who the hell is going to go to Helmand if the Marines get as soft as the Air Force? What if they start demanding PXs and living suites all because you wanted to grow facial hair!
You realized that the Marines are the only branch left that actually are encouraged to kill the enemy. Why do you want to screw that up? Who the hell is going to go to Helmand if the Marines get as soft as the Air Force? What if they start demanding PXs and living suites all because you wanted to grow facial hair!
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MSgt Devon Saunders
First of all...Pump your brakes on the notion that my United States Air Force is soft! That’s like me stating the Marines are a bunch of uneducated killers. It just isn’t true! Killers? Yes. Uneducated?? Nah. Have pride without the insults.
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SFC (Join to see)
Weird. For the branch with the second smallest amount of actual combatants. You can’t get soft when you’ve always been soft.
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GySgt (Join to see)
SSgt Dawson Webb No the military wasn’t and neither was America. Most of our founders were deists. Hence the reason for separation of Church and State. Brush up on history bubba. Nice try though.
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We are different, we stand alone, the few, the proud, why would we want to dumb down.
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Cpl Bill Broom
I grew a beard after my active duty time. Still have it. However, not up to the CORP standards to have one while in uniform (except for Special Forces, etc.)
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LCpl Ronnie Padgett
Cpl Jacob Rogers - Why would i be a moron, i don't know when you served but beards were not allowed when i was in...are you one of them new school Morons. Also i stand behind my words. Jacob
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LCpl Ronnie Padgett
listen as a civilian if you want to live your life by all means live it, but while on active duty your live isn't your own, it belongs to whom ever you are serving with, now if there are Marines on this post active duty with a beard you went in the wrong branch.
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There have been a ton of arguments for and against beards, like the gas mask thing, etc., but I would hang my hat on this one:
u·ni·form
ˈyo͞onəˌfôrm/
adjective
adjective: uniform
1. not changing in form or character; remaining the same in all cases and at all times.
u·ni·form
ˈyo͞onəˌfôrm/
adjective
adjective: uniform
1. not changing in form or character; remaining the same in all cases and at all times.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Do you all have the same haircut? If not not uniform. Do some have a mustache and others not? Then not uniform. A beard would not make you out of uniform if regulations allowed it.
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SGT Richard H.
Bottom line for me: When I was in the Corps, we worked around Navy personnel, who, at the time, were authorized to wear a beard once they reached the Petty Officer ranks. Nearly every Marine I knew thought it looked unprofessional...other than the few that were jealous of it. My opinion hasn't changed on that, with the exception of a few special operations missions where it is deemed useful to either blend with a society or look non-military.
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Cpl Henry Busby
Wasn't an issue for me because I didn't really have to shave until I was damn near 30. But at the same time we would come off patrol with so much mud on our faces that you couldn't tell. I'm an old fart and actually wonder, what does it matter?
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Not everyone can grow a beard, and not everyone looks good in a beard... No beards in the Marine Corps! If you want to look scruffy and unkempt, beautify my Corps by staying a civilian!
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I feel that the clean shaven rule is the only way to go. After I got off of active duty I did some Haz Mat work and we had to wear the Scott airpack and dress in genuine firefighters gear. People tried to use the Scott SCBA and they couldn't get a good seal with a beard or a goatee! So the Plant where I worked said that no facial hair other than mustaches were allowed because of that reason. I think everyone should abide by the same rules no matter what branch of service you are in. People join the military knowing what the rules and regulations are! If you don't like the rules and regulations don't enlist. For example I read about service men saying they didn't want to fight in the wars but that is what the military is for. They joined knowing full well that they could go to war and possible be shot. My point is if it isn't broken don't try to fix it.
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Capt Tom Brown
Cpl Shaun Wormsley as many have found private industry takes proper respirator fit and use very seriously due to imminent threat and exposure to toxic materials in the workplace. OSHA does not look kindly on employers who are not in compliance. With a perception of reduced exposure to SM in this day and age the old 'gas mask' proper fit doesn't have as much credibility as it used to in the eyes of many. Can't tell that to a FF or HazMat worker for sure.
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PO2 Roman Canales
You don’t need a good seal when using an SCBA because it is a positive pressure respirator. The positive air pressure inside the mask keeps any outside air from coming in and hurting you.
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PO1 TheBee Ef A
I have been working heavy industrial as a pipe welder for a few years now as a contractor. So I've been in quite a few different plants. Every single one is heavily OSHA regulated. This example proves the point that I made about not needing to be clean shaven in every situation. In every refinery I've worked on, we needed to be clean shaven, because of the occasional need to be under fresh air working near H2S. In every power plant I've worked in, they've never made us shave. There are no dangers to hazardous fumes. There are plenty of military jobs that aren't any different than a civilian office job. If it's about uniformity, why bother allowing mustaches then? I was a Rescue swimmer, and a mustache wouldn't make a good seal with our swim mask. Not everyone wears a swim mask for their job, you say? Neither does everyone get issued or have the need for a gas mask.
As far as not fixing problems if they aren't broken, were you even in the military??? The unofficial slogan for every branch is "if it ain't broke, fix it till it is." Just look at the Navy and their ever changing uniforms.
As far as not fixing problems if they aren't broken, were you even in the military??? The unofficial slogan for every branch is "if it ain't broke, fix it till it is." Just look at the Navy and their ever changing uniforms.
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You state "statistically, bearded men get paid more and are preferred for management" - would you care to provide some factual data to back that assertion up? Not your personal belief or anecdotal reference but actual surveys by reputable polling organizations? Because your statement is at odds with facts on the ground - look at business leaders today...
As for your question - was there an actual point? Regulations are what they are, grooming regulations change and evolve.
As for your question - was there an actual point? Regulations are what they are, grooming regulations change and evolve.
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Not disagreeing with what you stated in your article, but if a person wants to have a beard don't join the military. When you join the military on your own free will, (not drafted) you know what goes along with the job. Just like if you want to have long hair don't join the military, if you want to smoke marijuana don't join the military. If you join the military accept that certain things are not allowed, and if you can't accept the rules do not join the military. The present job I have right now, stated when I was first hired that I would work on the weekends. I accepted. Now when we hire new people and I hear them complain about working the weekends, my response is there is the door. Nobody made you accept the job, if you don't like the rules leave. So therefore if you want to have a beard stay a civilian.
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If you want to beard, get out, Marines are known by their discipline and their grooming standards. Simple want facial hair, get out!!!
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Sgt Carlos Barrera
PFC Elijah Rose - yet, here I am with a beard and out of the service. I did my time, I followed the regs.
Is not ego, is pride in one's self. Being part of the few I still follow that tradition!!!!
Is not ego, is pride in one's self. Being part of the few I still follow that tradition!!!!
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CW3 Harvey K.
Sgt Carlos Barrera - Same here Sgt. I had two occasions to wear my uniform since I retired and grew my beard, the military funerals of my two brothers. I accepted the regs, shaved my beard, and wore my uniform to honor their service.
But because I accepted the regs does not imply that I agree with them. I see room for beards in the Corps, just as I continued wearing my mustache and marksmanship medals after appointment as an Army Warrant Officer, in spite of supposed "custom".
But because I accepted the regs does not imply that I agree with them. I see room for beards in the Corps, just as I continued wearing my mustache and marksmanship medals after appointment as an Army Warrant Officer, in spite of supposed "custom".
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PFC Elijah Rose
Sgt Carlos Barrera you're not a very good liar you know that? Or have your exes already managed to hammer that tidbit in?
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Sgt Carlos Barrera
PFC Elijah Rose - sure, since I am single, so lets talk about Army regs, Marines walk out in town in civilian clothing, Soldiers go shopping in BDU's.
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I don't think beards were ever unprofessional. It's part of being a man, and it's unfortunate that military members are not allowed to grow a beard.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
It might not be fair for those who can not grow a beard. Women and younger men. I am retired, and I have a beard. It is called "Cowboy Sun Tan Lotion." (Live in the desert Nevada.)
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I just love this particular issue, just a few thoughts: Imagine NCOs trying to enforce a 'beard policy'; send people who want beards into a room filled with toxic gas to see if they get a good seal over their beard, if so they get to keep their beard if not, too bad; when was the last time US troops were gassed in combat? No one knows. There seem to be some exceptions already amongst the Special Operators who all seem to have beards and dress to resemble local people. "Pvt when was the last time you washed that beard?"
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LtCol Mac McCarty
"when was the last time US troops were gassed in combat?" Irrelevant. Who wants the first time to be the last for the troops who die?
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Sgt (Join to see)
We’re actively carrying gas masks in the Middle East because there have actively been chemical attacks. Hell, ISIS has been known to implement chlorine in their IEDs. Gas masks are 100% relevant.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
LtCol Mac McCarty - WWI had plenty of gas casualties...but they had crappy gas mask back then.
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