What Are The Chances Beards Will be Allowed in the Army?

2021-05-19T23:26:50-04:00

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.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2021 11:32 PM

2021-05-19T23:32:46-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2021 11:55 PM

2021-05-19T23:55:09-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I can only sympathize with your situation... many of my friends suffer from the same situation. That said I believe what MSG Private RallyPoint Member has said is the stark reality. Best of luck to you in your military career.

Response by SFC William Farrell made May 19 at 2021 11:55 PM

2021-05-19T23:55:39-04:00

I agree 100% SSG Private RallyPoint Member. Why are they doing everything for the women who are doing everything to achieve equal opportunity that they should have. Its a two way street.

Response by SSG Brian G. made May 20 at 2021 12:19 AM

2021-05-20T00:19:06-04:00

The beard in and of itself is unprofessional in appearance. Period. And yes, gas masks do not seal properly is there is a matt of hair in the way. The object is for the rubber to act as seal between the skin and the mask to prevent anything airborne from entering except through the multi0layer carbon filter. Time and again tests have shown this as fact, not myth so your claim is rather bogus. A mask can achieve a seal when there is stubble but not a full on beard as is often present when a person has a profile such as what you are talking about. Further Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a condition that is easily treated by a variety of methods from using a straight edged razor, electric clippers or shavers with foil guards and others.

A SM with a beard sends the wrong message, the wrong image when exhibited day to day by those meant to be the face of the military.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 12:28 AM

2021-05-20T00:28:48-04:00

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

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

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made May 20 at 2021 2:03 AM

2021-05-20T02:03:48-04:00

Country first and Standards second to none.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 2:18 AM

2021-05-20T02:18:52-04:00

There's some general out there that can only grow the scraggly shaggy stoner beard that looks like he blew himself up in high school chemistry, so it will never be a thing.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 20 at 2021 8:51 AM

2021-05-20T08:51:15-04:00

The current generation of decision makers are anti-beard, but not strongly so. They will consider it, but not seriously. I think the next batch (current 1SGs, SFCs, LTCs, and MAJs) will be willing to consider it a bit more in depth. I give it 6-12 years before it has a fighting chance of happening.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 8:54 AM

2021-05-20T08:54:30-04:00

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.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 20 at 2021 9:42 AM

2021-05-20T09:42:37-04:00

If you think pony tails were for empowerment and want beards for the same reason I think you have things in a wrong perspective. Beards are already a thing for those that need them for mission or religious purposes. I would have loved a beard while I was in but that's just not the name of the game. I doubt general purpose beards will be a thing anytime soon.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 10:44 AM

2021-05-20T10:44:49-04:00

*18* that!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 11:51 AM

2021-05-20T11:51:44-04:00

Changing the hair regulations for us females was not about "empowerment." At all.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2021 12:15 PM

2021-05-20T12:15:57-04:00

Back when Daley was the SMA he took an honest look at all the requests that Soldiers repeatedly asked for. Some, like black socks were allowed. Others like beards and headphones outside were deemed safety risks. The opinion of experts was that there was no way to seal the gas mask with a beard. As long as we have these gas masks the Army will not allow beards.

Now, anyone who has shaved for more than a day can claim skin sensitivity and get a shaving profile. Those who can't do that can claim its for their Pagan religion. Since literally anyone can get the exemption now, it seems silly to ban the beards.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made May 20 at 2021 5:15 PM

2021-05-20T17:15:52-04:00

Special OPS? Still good. Regular Army? F--- NO! If they finally say 'yes', I'll be very surprised. But it still won't matter for me because I can't physically grow a beard.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 21 at 2021 12:52 AM

2021-05-21T00:52:39-04:00

I'm not in anymore but I hope not.
in CONUS shaving every day sholdn't be required. Common sense b/c constant irritation from that is worse. Deployments are a mixed bag in themselves. There were times when we were so remote and busy. The triple digit heat and aggravated facial skin......it's a horrible pain.
So many are pushing to 'change' things so people can stand out. Makes people a better target when you can pick people out b/c of 'hairstyles and trivial fashion needs'.

Response by SFC Hector Cruz made May 27 at 2021 3:03 PM

2021-05-27T15:03:46-04:00

I say why not, as long as it’s kept clean and shaped up. I’m sure some kind of standard can be made up in the grooming standards.... but now for those who cannot grow a beard they’ll need to stick to the standards already in place. Can’t have men running around with patchy half asses beards either.

Response by PO1 Todd McMillin made Jun 8 at 2021 3:46 PM

2021-06-08T15:46:06-04:00

The fact our foreign allies of the MoD in Canada, UK and elsewhere allow for beards for religious reasons such as Sikhs and other faiths. We should adjust our standards accordingly to be updated to the 21st Century. The fact that the MoD Minister of Defense in Canada is a Sikh who actually invented a gas masks for Sikhs with beards to wear is why we can have beards in uniform.

The fact that the US doesn't want to pay for those gas masks because of assholes in Congress being paid shills to whatever corporate sponsors who own their votes. Maybe we should be invested in the troops to be prepared and properly functioning service members vs outdated mindset that views the military as a bunch of criminals and hoodlums who joined and officers who are college grads that couldn't cut it in the public life. We stop voting for corporate shills who never served and have no understanding of public service. We need to look at former military to join Congress and support them as long as their not owned by Foreign Banks or Governments. Those who are should be kicked out of Congress and punished under the UCMJ for their transgressions including current Republicans and Democrats.

Response by SP5 Robert Kennedy made Jun 9 at 2021 4:48 PM

2021-06-09T16:48:18-04:00

I think you have a good argument for "adjusting" the facial hair regulations. I'm not nearly as affected as you, with just semi-curly facial hair... but when a few of them decide to "about face" and irritate the skin (ingrown or pimples) it's not only uncomfortable, but it makes for a slovenly look. Having facial hair that todays electric clippers can groom in a minute, without subjecting your face to the pimples and ingrown hairs is much preferable to me. I'm an old relic, but that's how I groom my face now and can't see any reason to change. Besides, those old white-top grannies with walkers dig it too!

Response by CPL Joseph Elinger made Jul 8 at 2021 1:07 PM

2021-07-08T13:07:19-04:00

Beards, & even some excessive moustaches ie WW1 & previous handlebar moustaches compromise the effective seal of a gas mask. It's actually why Hitler initially cut down his moustache after a gas attack at the front which scared him. His previous moustache prevented an effective seal. He "held his breath" until the ALL CLEAR announcement.