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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Man looking at some of these vets and current service members commenting on this may be a mistake and all but ahit happens. As a previously enlisted soldier now out and I myself have grown quite the magnificent beard, I also understand where y'all come from with keep the clean shave alive and such. Now I know I ain't a marine but I was in the Army so I figured I'd drop a bit of knowledge and see how many rage comments and I can get from this. Back in the day and I mean way back, beards, long hair, tattoos and etc. we're actually a sign of being a warrior and a damn good one at that. Now dont get me wrong I ain't got no issues with the clean shaved look, but if your ass is fighting in a war and you somehow for some reason get close enough for the enemy to even see you, do you really think they give a shit about how well groomed you are? I mean c'mon now, especially in jobs such as infantry and other combat arms the job is to be feared, to get the message across of don't fuck with us or our country, not how about a business date over some tea. Just saying, I mean why not try and see if the gas mask does get a good seal if that's your concern, but simply keeping tradition because it's just how it's been since shit started doesn't mean it's the only effective way. Remember, adapt and overcome. Don't be a narrow minded civi subject to the word of others. Even a soldier needs a mind of their own somtimes. Hooah, and be safe brothers even if you ain't active.
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The Sikh are a major component of theIndian Military and as such I’m sure India developed a mask to accommodate their beards. That said the Army had a shortage of physicians and the American Sikh community were willing to help fill the void and serve their new country with honor. TheUS Army accommodates as the mask technology is there. I knew several guys while I served that constantly had shaving profiles. They still served but had to maintain a short clip to their facial hair. My opinion make a grooming standard for beards in all branches and allow them once out of training. My nephew had a long beard while deployed to Afghanistan. As he was part of a Delta Team in Afghani Dress to blend into the country.
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It isn't just the gas mask issue, it also has to do with unaformity and discipline - especially in the Marines. It also has to do with hygiene as a person may become infested with fleas, lice and other insects when not properly shaven. Yes, the Marines do believe in tradition but that tradition today is to be clean shaven as time and knowledge has evolved
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I grew a beard forever when I hit my EAS, but that's a hell of a long time ago. Beards while in? No I don't think so, that's for the Navy guys. Nice to see tradition retained, don't like it don't join, theres other branches. Marines are direct combat just like the Army, you know that when you join , given the mission growing a beard shouldn't even be in the equation. But you can grow one hell of a Caterpillar.
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they dont even want to get me started on dropping our stamdards to fit these pansies. wants.
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You know I never really though about it. I remember my father shaved everyday before going to work. When I was 11 I had facial hair and my father showed me how to shave. When Ivwent into the Marine Corps no one in the Platoon had a beard prior to forming up. The DI’s showed us how they wanted us to shave. From the base of the ear and all over the face and front of neck. It was regulation to be clean shaven. Don’t even remember anyone with a religious wavier. I think it would be hard to regulate as to who’s beard is to long. Anyway I don’t know where they get this Idea that bearded men get supervisor jobs more than clean shaven people. All the jobs I had the supervisors were clean shaven. Myself I don’t like it. After one day it starts to itch.
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