Posted on Dec 20, 2013
What is your take on having a nicely groomed beard?
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I currently serve with NATO and it seems like 90% of the other 28 nations here allow their soldiers to have neatly groomed beards and even some that are a bit extreme. I know a lot of US soldiers that would be happy to have beards including myself. My opinion, if you can keep it neat and trimmed and it looks professional, I don't think it should be a problem. What's your opinion?
Standards
Grooming Standards
DA Pam 670-1
Facial Hair
Posted 12 y ago
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Personally speaking, I wouldn't mind going old-school with a beard, as long as it is neat and does not interfere with equipment. Whose idea was it to take away a man's beard in the military, anyway?
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Beards were allowed when I started in the Navy. They went bye bye about the same time they reinstated PT and started the Piss Tests. I didn't see a problem with them. Kind of a Romantic Throwback to the Old Military Days.
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Beards have been part of our military in the past and IMHO in they were a standard then I don't see a problem with them. I don't think we should go lumberjack with them but a well maintained beard doesn't detract from a professional look.
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I'm not a beard fan for myself, but there are quite a few gentlemen who look quite distinguished wearing a well groomed beard. I say go for it.
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A professional beard looks excellent, in my opinion.
A Duck Dynasty one looks less than professional.
And the patchy beards just make me feel sad.
A Duck Dynasty one looks less than professional.
And the patchy beards just make me feel sad.
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Beards should be allowed. If they were ever allowed though, I'd still have to be clean shaven. I couldn't grow facial hair to save my life.
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I have no problem with a beard. But just like having a mustache it will be torn apart by seniors. Someone will over complicate the trimming standards. That being said. I'm am very pro beard!!
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Navy up until January 1985 were authorized to wear beards!! I think its fine as long as the are groomed properly and there are stipulations put on growth time!! I feel that this should be a privilege maybe for E-4 and above. Most have been in the Military long enough and know how to properly groom themselves. The only problem I see with that is as my mother used to tell us as kids when she gave us new privileges " I give you an inch and you take a mile!" People by nature will stretch the proper grooming and end up ruining it for everyone!! The idea of not allowing facial hair because your face mask wont seal, That's what they make Petroleum Jelly for!! That's what the fireman that have beards do to wear their SCBA's!!
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