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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Historically throughout the world, the ability to grow a beard has been a sign of manhood and masculinity. In most places in the world, that is still the case, but less celebrated. Grow’em if you can.
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I am pro beard. I figure it’d make the the average infantryman look less like he just graduated high school.
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I’ve had a beard for over 30 years but I can’t imagine a active duty Marine having one. High and tight with a clean shave just feels right. I under that there circumstances where that might not be practical.
Semper Fi
Semper Fi
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Capt Merl Miller
I meant I understand not I under. Someday, I’ll figure out how to edit my comments. Duh!
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You used gas masks as an example of needing to shave but used examples of previous CMC’s that predated the use of gas in warfare.
Close cropped hair to include being clean shaven has more than to do with gas masks. It is also meant to reduce the chance of lice and other critters one encounters in the field.
Sure we all wanted beards while in but want isn’t really a good reason. Yes there are less than 10 religious exemptions on the books within the DOD that allot beards. Not a lot to base your argument on.
Close cropped hair to include being clean shaven has more than to do with gas masks. It is also meant to reduce the chance of lice and other critters one encounters in the field.
Sure we all wanted beards while in but want isn’t really a good reason. Yes there are less than 10 religious exemptions on the books within the DOD that allot beards. Not a lot to base your argument on.
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Navy had them for e-4 and up until January 1 1985. I never had an issue with my gas mask or OBA seal.
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Sgt Carlos Barrera
musician, not combat soldier
Several years long after serving his apprenticeship, Sousa joined a theatrical (pit) orchestra where he learned to conduct. He returned to the U.S. Marine Band as its head in 1880 and remained as its conductor until 1892. Sousa led "The President's Own" band under five presidents from Rutherford B. Hayes to Benjamin Harrison. Sousa's band played at two Inaugural Balls, those of James A. Garfield in 1881, and Benjamin Harrison in 1889.[6][7] The marching brass bass, or sousaphone, a modified helicon, was created by J. W. Pepper – a Philadelphia instrument maker who created the instrument in 1893 at Sousa's request using several of his suggestions in its design
Several years long after serving his apprenticeship, Sousa joined a theatrical (pit) orchestra where he learned to conduct. He returned to the U.S. Marine Band as its head in 1880 and remained as its conductor until 1892. Sousa led "The President's Own" band under five presidents from Rutherford B. Hayes to Benjamin Harrison. Sousa's band played at two Inaugural Balls, those of James A. Garfield in 1881, and Benjamin Harrison in 1889.[6][7] The marching brass bass, or sousaphone, a modified helicon, was created by J. W. Pepper – a Philadelphia instrument maker who created the instrument in 1893 at Sousa's request using several of his suggestions in its design
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This issue is honestly going to go back and forth between hardcore traditional Marines and Marines that want to see the Core adapt with time if the Core allowed beards within certain guidlines it would not make us an in affective fighting force it has nothing to do with the performance of the individual Marine or the battalion I personally feel like people get wound up over the subject for no reason I bet Marines would lose their mind if full sleeves became within regs and tattoos are way more unprofessional in appearance than a well groomed beard
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Beards have a place, when you have to enlist the support of some cultures. recent years time in the real world , have shown a tactical necessity, to having a beard in some parts of the world.
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so now my sgt can come to work in a dress and have a beard and us the ladies room. Is there any way we can mess it up any more. The people who are doing this to the military are trying to shit on my Marine Corps
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Sgt (Join to see)
Your profile picture sports a big ole' mountain man beard, just FYI. Second, how is sporting manly, natural facial hair at all related to cross dressing? Third, Marine operators have been sporting beards for decades for operational and cultural reasons, they still get the job do E just fine
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