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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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We are referred to as the being uniformed service members. Think about this, uniform. Regulations exist for how and when to wear different uniforms, covers and how your hair is to be worn. Everyone should look the same and have the same regulations applied to them. The individual should not stand out from the group. Every service member is a representative of the group. Aside from that everyone would have to conform to whatever regulation would be put in place. Given there are many beard styles I'm certain there would be nonconformist.
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LTC Stephen C.
CPT (Join to see), I’m sure you know your photo is of Ambrose Burnside. “Burnside was noted for his unusual facial hair, joining strips of hair in front of his ears to his mustache but with the chin clean-shaven; the word burnsides was coined to describe this style. The syllables were later reversed to give sideburns.”
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Because you're not a woman, only women are regulatory allowed to grow full beards in any military position. And I have seen several out there. Double standard, PC, BS.
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CPT William Jones
See here we go. There was a guy sitting on a piece of heavy equipment above with a much different beard. I liked one much more than the other but you see lots of both but only one would be correct
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I'm all for the uniform standards. I spent 18 years in the Army and understand that the regulations loosened up during my time and although I hated shaving every day I did it because it was what I was supposed to do. When I finally got burned out with the service I didn't re-up and threw away my razors lol. Haven't shaved my face since and although I was a little upset at first that my beard is mostly gray and I wasted my best beard years beard less I rock the beard with pride now. It's all just part of the game and if I saw all sorts of different soldiers walking around with full beards or even stubble without a profile I'd probably have my final heart attack lol
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MSG Charles Turner
SSG Howard,
I concur Standards (like laws) are made for everyone. If I cannot or chose not to adhere then I must accept the results of my actions. Seems the military, as is civilian life, is moving towards this very chaotic way that the world is living in now, that I beleive is drivin by putting ONES wants over Universal Needs of Organizations, Society, Nations, and now the US Military. This had never worked in the history of mankind (at least to my knowledge). Let us all hope the results here are better.
~ole Sarge~
I concur Standards (like laws) are made for everyone. If I cannot or chose not to adhere then I must accept the results of my actions. Seems the military, as is civilian life, is moving towards this very chaotic way that the world is living in now, that I beleive is drivin by putting ONES wants over Universal Needs of Organizations, Society, Nations, and now the US Military. This had never worked in the history of mankind (at least to my knowledge). Let us all hope the results here are better.
~ole Sarge~
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SSG (Join to see)
Exactly. I know I'm not really "old school" because from what I've heard we had it pretty easy when I joined in 95 but what I have seen and heard from today's troops is disheartening. The military has never been a "social experiment" forum and everyone who wants to join is,supposed to conform to the military standards, not the other way around. Unless the current leadership gets a better understanding of that concept and society begins to accept that it's not a right but a privilege to serve then all branches of service are in trouble. Just because a person wants to join the military doesn't mean they are fit to join. Too many people think that the military is for people who aren't intelligent of as a last resort. It's definately a matter of perception.
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Given the mental health issues that are no longer disqualifiers, I guess next we will recruit jihadis and felons. I guess those will no longer be an impediment to obtaining a security clearance. And now drone drivers with psychosis will not get into trouble for death by "friendly fire". Such asininities (if that's a word). Who in the HE** is making these decisions?????
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