Posted on Mar 25, 2015
To Shave or Not to Shave? That is the question.
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In modern times, many police and military forces prohibit beards for one important reason that came up during World War I. In order to get a clean seal on a gas mask, you must have a clean face, so soldiers made sure to shave. They may or may not have been worried about the pulling of beards during hand-to-hand combat, as Alexander the Great was.
Excluding limited exemptions for religious accommodation, the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have policies that prohibit beards on the basis of hygiene, the necessity of a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks, and the official position that uniform personal appearance and grooming contribute to discipline and a sense of camaraderie.
All branches of the U.S. Military currently prohibit beards for a vast majority of recruits, although some mustaches are still allowed, based on policies that were initiated during the period of World War I.
So, the discussion is, Should military branches change the policy on shaving due to a legacy concern of chemical/biological warfare from WWI?
IMO, Proper grooming standards should be considered. If a service member wants to grow facial hair while not in a deployed location where the threat of a chemical/biological attack could occur (this is hardly in any theater of operations anymore due to many regulations implemented internationally to destroy & manage chemical/biological weapons), they should be allowed to, but in consideration of grooming standards (i.e. length of facial hair, must represent professional appearance, etc.)
Photo: U.S. Army Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, 2010
Excluding limited exemptions for religious accommodation, the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have policies that prohibit beards on the basis of hygiene, the necessity of a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks, and the official position that uniform personal appearance and grooming contribute to discipline and a sense of camaraderie.
All branches of the U.S. Military currently prohibit beards for a vast majority of recruits, although some mustaches are still allowed, based on policies that were initiated during the period of World War I.
So, the discussion is, Should military branches change the policy on shaving due to a legacy concern of chemical/biological warfare from WWI?
IMO, Proper grooming standards should be considered. If a service member wants to grow facial hair while not in a deployed location where the threat of a chemical/biological attack could occur (this is hardly in any theater of operations anymore due to many regulations implemented internationally to destroy & manage chemical/biological weapons), they should be allowed to, but in consideration of grooming standards (i.e. length of facial hair, must represent professional appearance, etc.)
Photo: U.S. Army Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, 2010
USA
US Marine Corps (USMC)
Shaving
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 136
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I haven't shaved in 35 years, granted twelve of those I was under twelve, but I have to say at a minimum please change the mustache standards
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A standard is a standard for a reason. If it is changed to accommodate every persons individual needs, there is not going to be a standard. If the standard is bent for one reason, it will have to be bent for others.
Whether for religion or whatever reason, the fact of the matter is the standard exists for a reason. To bend and break here is to make a horribly unstable situation out of one that is easily maintained as is.
Whether for religion or whatever reason, the fact of the matter is the standard exists for a reason. To bend and break here is to make a horribly unstable situation out of one that is easily maintained as is.
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Capt (Join to see)
I don't think the suggestion here is to bend or break the standard. It's a matter of taking a look at the current standard, identify why that standard exists in the first place, determine if that standard is still necessary to mitigate the threat, then write a new standard in accordance with current, modern day threats.
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Clean shaven. If you are Muslim and want to keep your beard.....sorry, you can't join the military and keep it. End of story.
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Capt (Join to see)
Well the policies have already began to change. Hence the photo of the Army Capt. Who is a Sikh. Some services do allow facial hair when deployed. It's not entirely about religion. It just so happens that a population of people happen to want beards for their cultural beliefs.
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Not only should he shave, he should take that ridiculous towel off his head. Do you see any Jews wearing their yarmulke? God, when is this shit going to stop? Next they'll be wearing robes and sandals .
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Capt (Join to see)
Actually, jews are allowed to wear it. Under there service hat when outside, but indoors, they are allowed to wear it. But they are and they do wear it.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Yep, I see lots of folks of the Jewish faith wearing them Sgt David G Duchesneau
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I understand religous belief but we join knowing the standards of our armed forces. We need to remain the greatest military in the world and hold our grounds with our standards and keep them the way they are. Their allegiance is to the flag and should be willing to shave for it. If not the military might not be for you
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Capt (Join to see)
Uniformity wouldn't be too challenging. Grooming standards already change. For the Air Force, we follow AFI 36-2903. It can be easily modified or supplemented to include beard length standars. To the extent of maintaining a professional appearance. Then, every service member, much like now, will enforce standards.
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Capt (Join to see)
I agree, race is still a Human condition/factor, whatever is best to describe it.
The other one, well, yet questionable and even in Christian faith goes against the bible, very hard to overcome. But if it is a choice, so is choosing to join the service.
If a gay dude or dudette wants to possibly get blown the fuck up at war like myself and my fellow war heroes, then by all means, go ahead.
The other one, well, yet questionable and even in Christian faith goes against the bible, very hard to overcome. But if it is a choice, so is choosing to join the service.
If a gay dude or dudette wants to possibly get blown the fuck up at war like myself and my fellow war heroes, then by all means, go ahead.
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SGT (Join to see)
Honestly, while I don't think they should allow beards except for special circumstances, if they do change the regs, it won't be very long before it won't be remembered or even cared about by anyone except military history buffs. Besides, beards are likely to be heavily regulated in appearance so as to maintain a professional appearance.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
Capt (Join to see), to be fair, I do keep mine far shorter then my allotted 1/4 of an inch.
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