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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 8 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 666
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Sure let's revoke General Order #1 as well since the rest of NATO is imbibing 24/7!
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The 'gas' mask will not provide the proper seal around your damn head. Are you in the military? It appears you are just trying to create a conversation here.
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Other than discussing each piece, you can grow a beard as long as you put in the Exemption to Policy for (until further notice) Religious Accommodations. As per Army Directive 2016-34 you can get approval to grow a beard out. [https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/454020.pdf]
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SOCOM operator's have that privilege in theater abroad, how ever once stationed in CONUS it's back to the uniform of the day ...
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Many reason have already been stated. The real question is why do people want them. Some will refer to 'operational requirements', which in reality is nothing more than an excuse; an American is easy enough to identify, regardless of facial hair, indigenous clothing, or other choices. Then there is the whole 'cultural' excuse; the Afghans have seen Americans for 17 years, know that the professional US military member doesn't wear a beard, and that many of their countrymen (military and civilian) don't wear beards. It comes down to people do what they can get away with, much like the wildly different policies on alcohol consumption in theatre compared to what was once universally accepted as normal and allowed.
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Surely you knew the rules before you joined! You can try the coast guard or the Boy Scouts!
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When I was in, the type of protective gear for NBC attacks simply would not seal properly if you had face fur. This may have changed since I was in, I really don't know.
Different countries use different weapons, and protective gear. Another nation may have a mask wherein it protects just as well if you have a beard.
Personally, I don't feel that a beard allows for a neat appearance, but this is personal preference.
As for personnel who various issues, such as what you have mentioned, they either must be controllable with medicine, for those with psychological problems. Psychotic personalities are a term used by you, and I don't believe that the army would ever use such, simply because such people can't be controlled efficiently.
Others who don't look professional (in your opinion) must be obeying the rules of the command they are in, or they too would be deemed unfit and discharged.
Once in a while, I remember when on active duty, I would see some soldiers come in late to the barracks, never stand formations, or never stand any duties. Often these would be specialized personnel who may also be using your barracks. Cooks, Chaplain's assistants, Medical personnel and sometimes even MPs may all fall into this category, simply because they was no where else to house an individual.
That guy you think is a lousy soldier, may be an undercover MP, who is in for a few days to get a fresh change of clothes, and sleep, which may not be possible, depending on his duties.
I am hazarding a guess that you are a military member on active duty? Be aware, that a large number of troops that you may see on an active duty post may come from a National Guard unit. Such units may be a bit more lax in following military discipline, and may have uniform violations, or they may simply not have the latest issue of military clothing, because their guard unit is on a lower priority than that of the unit you currently serve in. I ran into that in the mid 80's wherein the active duty personnel had all switched to what was then the new BDU or battle dress uniform, replacing the old olive drab fatigues. But the NG units in AZ still allowed fatigues, and even old jungle uniforms until the late 80's simply because NG personnel do not pay for their uniforms and must wait for a new enlistment to get a new issue of clothing unlike active duty personnel who had a uniform allowance in their monthly check.
If you are still unsure as to why not in any of these cases, take up the issue with your local Sergeant Major. He should know all the reasons why or why not of certain personnel. In many cases, the issue may be above your pay grade or your need to to know. You need to be prepared for that.
Different countries use different weapons, and protective gear. Another nation may have a mask wherein it protects just as well if you have a beard.
Personally, I don't feel that a beard allows for a neat appearance, but this is personal preference.
As for personnel who various issues, such as what you have mentioned, they either must be controllable with medicine, for those with psychological problems. Psychotic personalities are a term used by you, and I don't believe that the army would ever use such, simply because such people can't be controlled efficiently.
Others who don't look professional (in your opinion) must be obeying the rules of the command they are in, or they too would be deemed unfit and discharged.
Once in a while, I remember when on active duty, I would see some soldiers come in late to the barracks, never stand formations, or never stand any duties. Often these would be specialized personnel who may also be using your barracks. Cooks, Chaplain's assistants, Medical personnel and sometimes even MPs may all fall into this category, simply because they was no where else to house an individual.
That guy you think is a lousy soldier, may be an undercover MP, who is in for a few days to get a fresh change of clothes, and sleep, which may not be possible, depending on his duties.
I am hazarding a guess that you are a military member on active duty? Be aware, that a large number of troops that you may see on an active duty post may come from a National Guard unit. Such units may be a bit more lax in following military discipline, and may have uniform violations, or they may simply not have the latest issue of military clothing, because their guard unit is on a lower priority than that of the unit you currently serve in. I ran into that in the mid 80's wherein the active duty personnel had all switched to what was then the new BDU or battle dress uniform, replacing the old olive drab fatigues. But the NG units in AZ still allowed fatigues, and even old jungle uniforms until the late 80's simply because NG personnel do not pay for their uniforms and must wait for a new enlistment to get a new issue of clothing unlike active duty personnel who had a uniform allowance in their monthly check.
If you are still unsure as to why not in any of these cases, take up the issue with your local Sergeant Major. He should know all the reasons why or why not of certain personnel. In many cases, the issue may be above your pay grade or your need to to know. You need to be prepared for that.
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