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: 135
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This is America! We are American, and when you put on the uniform of the United States of America; its bigger than you or your family. You are supporting, defending, and dying for your country! We have rules and standards for a reason. I understand your religious beliefs but when the government says the Bible or the Cross is not allowed in the service than beards should not be allowed. If the Bible or Cross offends one, then the beard of another offends one as well. You cant take away the beliefs of Christians and still allow other faiths their beliefs.
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hey I just wanna go back in time and hear his drill sergeant smoke him lol but anyways thats not dress right dress...more like mess hot mess
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Short, well maintained beards when not in a chemical environment would be my stance.
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I say maintain the Standards. If we relax them one one group we have to relax them for everyone.
Serving is a choice. If you choose to be in our Military then you have to give up certain things.
I would like to have a goatee but hey i have chosen to wear the Uniform.
I am going to have to agree with SFC Walter Mack, quit trying to cater to certain individuals and let's get to Soldiering!
Serving is a choice. If you choose to be in our Military then you have to give up certain things.
I would like to have a goatee but hey i have chosen to wear the Uniform.
I am going to have to agree with SFC Walter Mack, quit trying to cater to certain individuals and let's get to Soldiering!
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Uniformity is an active force of discipline... He who has no concern for uniformity, needs to seek another career path.
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As a prior dc man in the navy we were able to grow beards with a no shave chit underway u bought it threw mwr and I was able to hold the seal on a gas mask and scba mask I vote to modify let us grow them bit in reason
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Capt (Join to see)
Within reason is key. As long as the policies for uniform standards are written to reflect appropriate regulations, it would be appropriate.
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I stayed clean shaven for about 35 yrs. Now i have a full beard and some hair on my head
there are some shinny spots but there is more now then ever. lol
there are some shinny spots but there is more now then ever. lol
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You join the united states military , you look like a united states military. clean shave, and sharp. you belong to a religion that prohibits shaving, don't join a united states military branch. This is the USA you abide by our rules. you want to be in a military and have a bread go to the middle east.
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