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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?
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 669
The Army hasn't allowed beards since the late 1800s. First it was for mostly hygienic purposes - no need to have lice in your beard. More recently, they rational is that you can't get a good seal with your protective mask with a beard. On the other hand, the Army does allow a religious exemption for Sikhs. I doubt the policy will change any time soon. Go SF if you want a beard.
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The reason I haven’t heard is that your mask won’t properly seal with a beard
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if you are stationed in a arab country you stand out due to skin pigment so a full beard is necessary to try to blend in,even that doesn't always work
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Sadly, at the height of deployments, Recruitment Standards were relaxed. Some of those people used the opportunity to turn their life around until they were no longer needed & Uncle Sam showed 'em the door.
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I believe the trumping argument for clean shaven is to get a proper seal for the protective mask. Those beards may look study but are going to get you killed in a saren gas attack.
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Actually idk about the overweight one. I don’t meet the height weight requirement but couldn’t get in. I went 4 years ROTC had my own platoon, was an officer, marksman and can do their PT test. But because I’m a little overweight I couldn’t join. But now I’m too old to join.
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SPC Cody Vote, which allied nations are you referring to that allow their service members to wear beards. If a nation authorizes their military members to wear beards it is usually for medical, religious, or cultural exemptions. Besides that the majority on nations do not authorize the wearing of beards by their military members.
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I tried to grow a beard when I was in the Navy, but I never could get it to fill out. Now, I'm laughing out loud at my own self.
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Spec Voye, What makes you think you have the right to even ask that question. When you signed up did you know the regulation prohibited beards? Anyway Son I would hate to have mistaken you for an Iraq Solider and shit you!! Now are those two reason enough you youor do you need for it to be explained in a court marshal. The choice is yours.
KinJ. Spano Ltc(Ret)
USAR , Combat Engineers
KinJ. Spano Ltc(Ret)
USAR , Combat Engineers
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