Posted on May 19, 2021
What Are The Chances Beards Will be Allowed in the Army?
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With the recent updates to AR 670-1 allowing ponytails in all uniforms, allowing finger nail polish, earrings, natural hairstyles etc. Some of these changes I believe to be long overdue and can be seen across other occupations as professional, but other changes I wonder how does this translate into acceptable, professional, or soldier like. If we can have these types of changes for the empowerment of female soldiers or to make their lives easier I believe it is time to change the trajectory of how beards are viewed. Currently for quite a few soldiers like myself, suffer discomfort from constant shaving , skin discoloration, and painful ingrown hairs, swelling etc. The trouble of trying razor after razor, product after product and unfortunately finding no relief is an on going battle for men all over the arms forces. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a common condition of the beard area occurring in up to 60% African American men and other people with curly hair. One may say just get a shaving profile, right. There is a deterrence from getting a shaving profile because of losing the opportunity of broadening assignments like recruiter or drill sergeant. Or just plain ol be called a shit bag because you can't shave and most look homeless with a face full of hair, but not able to shape it up. Not sure how a face full of bumps, scars, and ingrown hairs can be portrayed as professional versus a clean trimmed beard. I've heard of the gas mask not sealing correctly without a shaven face and its simply not true. I just wanted to get some input, wanted to vent, and really reach out to see if there is anyone feeling the same way.
Professionalism
Standards
Army Regulations
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
Beards are in the Army for medical and religious purposes. And we all know that is all we are gonna get. I think we will all be long gone from this world before the Army allows beards.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
The Israeli Defense Forces has a Gas Mask designed to accommodate a bearded gentleman. They became mass manufactured after the initial SCUD attacks by Sadam Hussein in the first Gulf War when he bombed Tell Aviv. He had previously gassed Kurdish civilians in Iraq (Anbar Province), & Iranian Troops during The Iran - Iraq War.
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MSG (Join to see)
CPL Joseph Elinger still not gonna get us beards outside of medical/religious ETPs.
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The Canadians have had beards for 2 years and they also allow those soldiers to smoke pot up to eight hours before their shift unless they're going to fly aircraft or do weapons qualification so if we go left like our neighbours to the north, it will be a sad state of our military.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/defence-administrative-orders-directives/9000-series/9004/9004-1-use-cannabis-caf-members.html
SFC William Farrell MSG (Join to see) SGT (Anonymous) SSG Brian G. SSG (Join to see)
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/defence-administrative-orders-directives/9000-series/9004/9004-1-use-cannabis-caf-members.html
SFC William Farrell MSG (Join to see) SGT (Anonymous) SSG Brian G. SSG (Join to see)
DAOD 9004-1, Use of Cannabis by CAF Members - Canada.ca
Defence Administrative Orders and Directives - DAOD 9004-1 - Use of Cannabis by CAF Members
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CPL Joseph Elinger
They probably order a supply of beard friendly gas masks from Israel. I believe they're the only manufacture that I'd trust for that. LOL!
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MAJ (Join to see)
Even though the Canadian Armed Forces allow those, the handful that I trained with from 3RCR were top notch. Somehow they make it work, although they do have a much smaller force to manage and a different culture; a different animal than the US Army.
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Has anyone done the same work that the group of females did to get the changes to 670-1? They did white papers, they filled out the required forms. I believe the first page of 670-1 explains what you need to do to recommend changes. It wasn't done by just posting about it on social media and I believe it took at least a few years of work to get these changes.
The SMA has also posted on Twitter about this and what you do if you want the changes. Get a group of people, do the research to find the things that support your position and submit it to the proper authorities.
The SMA has also posted on Twitter about this and what you do if you want the changes. Get a group of people, do the research to find the things that support your position and submit it to the proper authorities.
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MAJ (Join to see)
A few years ago I did. I drafted a proposed change to AR670-1 and modeled it after the Canadian Armed Forces facial grooming standards since they are open-source and already proven. I also provided management strategies for the CBRN environment and enhanced FORCEPRO measures. I assembled the evidence and proposed regulation and sent it through official channels to HQDA with confirmation of delivery. It's been about 2 years and I haven't had any feedback, good, bad or indifferent.
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