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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In short.... No, because not everyone can grow a beard. Could you imagine how ate up your formation would look if some had beards and some didn't? Again, nothing against beards. We either all have them or we all don't and not all of us can grow one. Furthermore, your CRBN mask would not seal correctly to your face if you had a beard.
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I am one for NO facial hair in uniform!!! UNLESS circumstances make shaving impossible. As a female, I learned fast that having hair too long made proper head gear fit virtually impossible and heat was bad enough. Guys-SHAVE! Ladies-go for SHORTER hair and play it smart.
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As long as it meet the standards for mission I have no problem giving a thumbs up.
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Your female Marines certainly are allowed much longer hair than their male counterparts. Why? The reasoning is purely cultural and traditional, the same in every service. They don't get "shaved" in boot camp. So, what makes beards truly any different, other than traditions and the will and whim of the Pentagon? There's a big debate raging now about the open door created by letting the Sikhs wear beards and their turbans. Underneath those turbans is very long hair, by the way. Both are centuries-old aspects of their religion. Having studied the Sikhs at length some years back, I know this: that long hair and those beards make Sampson look like a wimp. The Sikh warrior has proven himself over the span of those centuries as being a fighter of unparalleled ferocity and loyalty. I'd be very hard-pressed to choose between a company of bearded Marines and a company of Sikhs. Does it matter, the male Marine, bearded or not, the female Marine, shorn or not? It's simply about American societal norms and military uniformity and traditions. If there are appropriately applied grooming standards, give it a whirl. My man, Elmo Zumwalt, did in 1971. It never cost us an ounce of combat readiness or loss in command authority. If anything, it boasted morale 1000% across the board in the Navy. Too bad subsequent Brass hasn't realized that...
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Simple response. No. Had a Gunnery Sargent who took a newbie Doc, who had an attitude problem. His problem was, he didn't want to be with the Marines, he wanted to be working in the hospital. We were on Alpha increment at the time. Gunney called the Doc out and had him uncover, then had us all in formation uncover. He then asked that doc if he noticed any difference. The newbie said yes, those are Marines, and I am Navy. Gunny then said, Exactly. And that is what anybody who wants to kill us is gonna see as well. They want to knock out anything that is not the same first. Hopefully it's the officers, commo, MEDICAL, .... I don't remember what else Gunny said, all I know is the Doc had a hi n tight for the next formation and from that point on was stract to the point were you couldn't tell he was a doc unless if you knew him. So beards, no. It takes away from the aura of the Marines. Army bends to those request, and it gives them the appearance of being weak and undisciplined. Marines are not weak, nor are they undisciplined.
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If one can wear a beard and\or head gear in uniform to reflect their religious beliefs, the military is no longer uniform.
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No the marine Corp, should never change its policy to please another persons view, in the marine corps we are all one.
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By definition it is unprofessional within this profession, as much as not getting a regulation haircut.
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Personally, in uniform, it looks unprofessional. It removes uniformity and detracts from a neat appearance. And it violates the OSHA standards on proper wearing of protective masks, which I saw happen several times while working in corrections. As far as the religious issue, I don't agree with the exemption for it on the above reasons, for anyone.
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Uniform and grooming standards exist so that a neat military appearance is maintained. Beards?? What next.... long hair, facial tattoo's, self expression in the wear of uniforms? No, grooming standards are there for good reason.
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