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The Army allows people with full sleeve tattoos, criminal history, drug/alcohol abuse problems, overweight people, and now psychotic people serve in the military. Clearly the Army isn't worried about looking professional or being professional. Numerous other Allied nations allow their service members to grow beards and have no problem with their SMs utilizing gas masks. Uniformity definitely isn't an issue either, since we have different hairstyles, uniforms, etc. What are your thoughts on this?
Uniforms
DA Pam 670-1
Facial Hair
Professionalism
Grooming Standards
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 669
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I am retired. I could grow a beard but still shave , every other day or so. That said, beard friendly Pro Mask for the military are being looked at :
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/03/21/the-makers-of-the-army-s-gas-mask-are-looking-into-beard-friendly-options/
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/03/21/the-makers-of-the-army-s-gas-mask-are-looking-into-beard-friendly-options/
The makers of the Army's gas mask are looking into beard-friendly options
If you ask a soldier why beards are banned, they'll tell you it's because you can't seal your gas mask with one. But that could change.
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I agree, there's nothing wrong with facial hair. If other accommodations can be made for recruitment and retention why not allow beards too? If we can regulate hair cuts we can regulate beards.
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CPT William Jones
SGM with all the problems regulating hair cuts you say why not beards too. It would be a nightmare. Next time you are out around town check out all the styles. Rand from that silly little patch on lower lip to a Santa Clause or ZZTop style.
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The matter of no beards has, in my opinion if not otherwise, been a matter of hygiene. It's a matter of keeping a clean and orderly living environment in confined quarters i.e. barracks. This was not followed. During WWII in the submarine service beards were often allowed to conserve on fresh water. Regulations were loosened in the 1970s and beard were allowed many places in the fleet. Aside from these examples, beards were only allowed with medical waivers and certain other mission related conditions.
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MAJ Bill Maynard
In the post-Vietnam era, all kinds of standards were loosened or not enforced since the military had so many issues, like rampant drug use.
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PO1 (Join to see)
I’ll have you know that we of the vastly superior Submarine Service still sport beards underway.
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Beard conversation aside, the Army used to be a punishment for criminals who could opt for prison or the Army.
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There are units that will let you grow a beard. You have to pay a hefty price to get there though.
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SPC David Willis
Is the gas mask sealing really an issue though or are different masks available for use?
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MSG Dan Castaneda
I haven't carried a mask since I've been in SF. I really don't know the answer to your question. We did have a NBC NCO in our B-team, just not really sure what he did.
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Beyond the military appearance, and though you claim that beards don't interfere with respirators, you are wrong about that. After I got out of the Navy I did a stint as a safety supervisor at a heavy industrial site. We did "fit tests" for respirators and almost nobody passed if they had a beard. So raise a stink if you will, but don't coming crying to us when you get gassed and die.
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SPC Brian Aranda
In basic I was told I would shave every day, whether I needed it or not ( I never needed it, a cat could have licked my face once a week and I would be good)! I'll be 50 this year and it takes over two weeks for me to grow some scraggly looking mess that looks like it belongs on a 15-year old kid! :)
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"Clearly the Army isn't worried about looking professional or being professional. "
Your argument died at this very moment in your post
Your argument died at this very moment in your post
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SSG(P) (Join to see): Specialist Voye- I had Absolutely No idea that these kinds of people were allowed to enlist in the United States Army. I believe that all of this will be a detriment to today's Army.
-Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired
-Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired
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