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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 just got done reading an article that non combatant soldiers ( boots, Kiwis ) were upset that combat vet soldiers were wearing combat patches and they didn’t have any “special “ patch to wear. So, we know not everyone can grow a beard. So, in an effort not to give Boots a reason to cry, no beards allowed.
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Here's some interesting info on your question. Like every military tradition, it usually grows from a practical purpose. In this case, it helped Soldiers in combat and prevented the spread of lice. I found this at http://calvusguy.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-close-shave.html if you want to read more.
Of course, Romans didn't just have their nails to worry about, throughout much of classical history, the clean-shaven look was the in thing - until Hadrian came along with a bad case of acne scars and grew the first all-over Imperial beard. There was a practical point to shaving in ancient times too - Roman soldiers shaved so enemy combatants didn't have any whiskers to grab during hand-to-hand combat. And, as a whole, Roman society eschewed all body hair below the scalp (and I mean all hair), initially to combat body lice, but no doubt, as now, because it was fashionable.
Of course, Romans didn't just have their nails to worry about, throughout much of classical history, the clean-shaven look was the in thing - until Hadrian came along with a bad case of acne scars and grew the first all-over Imperial beard. There was a practical point to shaving in ancient times too - Roman soldiers shaved so enemy combatants didn't have any whiskers to grab during hand-to-hand combat. And, as a whole, Roman society eschewed all body hair below the scalp (and I mean all hair), initially to combat body lice, but no doubt, as now, because it was fashionable.
Kicking the dirt off Roman History and finding what's hidden underneath. News, reviews and fun from the Ancient World.
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Well I know why the Navy did away with allowing beards, Because you can't get a good seal on the OBA's (Firefighting equipment, also it put out pure Oxygen, so beards would catch fire with a small spark after wearing OBA's). Same goes for gas masks. So, it's not grooming thing as much as a keeping you from dying thing.
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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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