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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Individualism vs Marine Corps philosophy that it's the mission, the team, the Corps and Country that come first?We begin Boot Camp by everyone being equalized...shaved heads..no facial hair... baby faced, mush heads. This brings up sleeve tattoos in the Marine Corps. Our leadership seems to have forgotten that we are not individualists. Today they are more interested in social engineering...'it's part of our culture. We have had battles go on for years over Sam Brown Belts, Aiguillettes, and other uniform items that allow some degree of individualism, and it's more often than not, denied. Allowing hair and facial hair, tattoos and anything else that detracts from from the 'oneness' of the Corps I think is a mistake.
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Only saw one Marine try it and it looked so bad he shaved it off. That would be my Dad. I've tried growing one I think when I was in Adak, AK and came to the same conclusion. Just don't work for us.
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PO1 (Join to see)
It does work with some. If you are trying the grizzly look, then it doesn't work period (IMHO).
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Not a Marine, but spent 30 years in the Army, having been in combat and lack of shower for many days having hair on your face or head becomes a hygiene issue. In addition a Marine clean cut and with a high and tight in dress uniform looks sharp! Having a beard would certainly in my opinion degrade that image. Don't fix it if it ain't broke! Semper Fi brothers...….
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Hey there SGT William Howell, you probably don’t think your shit don’t stink if you think the Air Force is soft as you put it. I can assure you that in Aircraft maintenance in B-52’s working 12 to 18 hours in either butt deep snow to a tall Indian or heat hot enough to melt your headsets with grease up to your elbows, well that’s not my idea of soft. Just remember this, I joined the Air Force because I scored high enough to have a choice. We all served and you don’t know what the other services went through so keep comments like that to yourself.
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Wow, a lot of mudslinging going on in this comments section. At no point did the OP say he wanted a beard. And the argument that beards decrease combat effectiveness is just bogus, look at our operators. How about some logical discussion instead of cussing out the OP. Marines in my units may joke with each other but we don't honestly berate each other like kids on the playground. Must not be the same corps wide...
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Is there a problem with uniformity and hygiene? That is my primary consideration. The question should be why do we have uniformity in the military, in general. During the years I served on submarines, there were many that wore beards, even though you were in danger of a plethora of gasses that could be deadly. We practices with gas type masks on nearly a daily basis with no ill effects with misfit masks. If it were up to me, there would be no beards, but it is not and the regulations are what they are.
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Eh, elite SF guys have beards and scruff, might wear jeans, a baseball hat. They're there to kill the enemy, a beard neither helps nor hurts. Discipline is keeping your weapon clean, your ammo and magazines clean, all your gear in first order, and knowing your job.
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Full beard seal.....try that with a nerve agent and see how good the seal was....id rather not risk my Marines lives.
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We are supposed to be uniform in our appearance. People expect a certain look when they see Marines in uniform. Put that aside a minute. Can you imagine how bad some of these beards would look? I see way too many civilians with scraggly beards that have bare spaces all over their faces. Yeah. Wouldn't that look sharp on a Marine in his blues?
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