Posted on Jan 11, 2014
Should the U.S. Army have one grooming standard (i.e. hair) for male and females?
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Should we allow well groomed beards like most Professional Armies in the world.
Posted in these groups: 
Grooming Standards
Women in the Military
Grooming Standards Women in the Military
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 59
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It is something to consider, our current performance standards for physical fitness are incredibly sexist as are our appearance standards. If we are truly the progressive and adaptive military that we claim to be then equality must be the bedrock of all standards for the force. Understanding that there is no equivalency between equality and fairness, I say we move forward with a gender neutral standard for all service members in physical fitness, uniform appearance and duty performance. I think it would surprise us how many issues, i.e. sexual harassment, fraternization etc., that plague us today would disappear or at worse become very uncommon in occurrence.
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Facial hair interferes with oxygen masks and gas masks. As a female I have such a small amount of girlie features left in uniform it would be appreciated if I could keep the few I have.
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Sir, I have mixed feelings on the beard issue. Do we allow fu manchus, gotees, handle bars, etc. or just a groomed beard?
Do you women who wear your hair in the syle of a high and tight or a fade get offended when you are mistaken as a man? Just asking the question, no disrespect intended or implied.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
I acme into the navy in 1966 and missed the long hair fad. When I retired in 1996, I grew my hair long and kept it in a ponytail most of the time. When someone came up behind me and adressen me as, Ma'am, I was never offended, but laughed as I turned and they saw my full beard. It was a phase, but I enjoyed it,
Beards in the Navy were a passing fad in the 80s and did not last long, Some units and special circumstances may still authorize beards, but not as a normal practice Navy wide. Medical problems that allow no shaving still require close trims, not freedom to go wild.
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Sir, men and women are not the same and should not be lumped together like that so no, I don't think the regulation should be changed for that reason. On that note, I've met a few females (and this isn't supposed to be mean, but just a fact) who should be required to shave.
However....
I just read yesterday that the military is approving the wear of religious items previously banned as well as religion related facial hair like beards with those of the Sheikh faith. I think this is one step toward allowing well groomed beards for all. It'll be too hard to enforce based on religion and is a discriminating factor when you say Soldier X is allowed a beard because of this religion but Soldier Y isn't because of his religion or lack thereof. That and there will be too many people CLAIMING a certain religion even though they don't believe it, just so they can look cool with their beard.
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Equality is a 2 way street. You cant pick what you want and what you don't want. If female service members truly wanted equality, real equality, and not just the kicks of being able to say "I can be combat arms" (Again not all female service members are like this).... they would accept grooming and PT standards also. This isn't about "Fairness" this is about having the most deadly and efficient fighting force.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
SGT Dave
Exactly, equality is a two-way street. So what makes you assume women are the ones who should have to change their grooming standards? Come on now, let women be women and men be men.
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SGT Suraj Dave
Alright, then let men grow long hair. It doesn't matter whose standard you change as long as both are equal. Equality isn't taking just getting what you want. Its accepting the good and the bad.
Let men be men, and women be women. That would be nice wouldn't it. Sadly it doesn't work out that way. Nice theory though.
Let men be men, and women be women. That would be nice wouldn't it. Sadly it doesn't work out that way. Nice theory though.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
I know right. If only the Army would let women be women and men be men but there's always going to be someone in Washington trying to tell us how to run things best. Sigh...
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CPT William Jones
Hair styles for both women and men are fads that change with time and circumstances. So I really don't understand the problem Long hair doesn't make the ladies or males not manly. There is no reason the reg cannot be written to just one standard. Note I did not say make the ladies change or the men change I see ladies in the streets today with haircuts that would please any CSM on his male soldiers, and males with very long flowing locks that many women wish they could grow and would cause any CSM have a fit if he saw it on a male soldier so all the fuss should stop. Make an uniform reg and enforce it.You volunteered to get in follow the rules established.
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BLUF, we have set standards outlined in AR 670-1 and the last time I checked we follow standards. NCO's need to enforce the standards but the way I am seeing it today NCO's are not what they used to be. This "new" Army is ridiculous, NCO's are afraid to say anything because of the constant threat of false EO or SHARP complaints. We need to go back to the way the Army was a decade ago. Don't get me wrong there are some recent changes in policy that are great in the way ahead, but this baby Soldiers shit is just that.
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I think that women should be women. It helps men become better men. Usually.
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Sir,
No. However, I have observed as well as discussed with many many NCOs/Officers and some of them have voiced their own timidness in making corrections for female grooming standards. Some of the reasons include, a) they simply do not feel that they can approach a female Soldier about her hair b) lack of knowledge on exactly how the hair should look c) fear that their correction might be misconstrued and result in a complaint.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Personally, I have no issue in making general corrections. However, it is all about approach and tact when making corrections. You have a great point!
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2LT (Join to see)
Sir I agree, Tact is of the most importance. In my little experience I've found a quick pull to the side and a quiet word of "hey..." Usually fixes the problem. If I yell at someone it between my size and voice it looks like a squirrel having a seizure ha ha.
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2LT (Join to see)
I'm a bit flattered you are asking my opinion. I would say it depends on how well you knew her (obviously not well). I think you handled that well. Any female of the same rank would understand your reluctance in approaching a superior about a standard.
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SSG Lisa Rendina
I confronted a Soldier (we were both in PTs so not sure of rank) about her hair. She had a regular bun, then a side stumpy pony-tail looking thing on the side of her head. It was bizarre. Her response to me was "I'm National Guard". I told her AR 670-1 still applied.
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I would love to have a beard! However, a beard prevents a good seal on your protective mask. That's why males have to be clean shaven in the "non-cool guy" part of the Army. I remember when my dad had to shave his beard; (He was Navy,) him and the other Chiefs put the remains of their beards into a shoebox and buried it outside the Admiral's Quarters. They even got the Bugler to play Taps.
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SrA Jeffery Guntle
Yes, the army needs to present a professional image at all times. The men and women are representatives of the United States of America. Having required grooming regulations, promotes self esteem, dedication, honor, integrity, and pride. The uniform should not be dishonored with poor and distasteful grooming habits.
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