237
237
0
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
11
11
0
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.
(11)
(0)
10
10
0
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.
(10)
(0)
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.
(0)
(0)
9
9
0
9
9
0
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.
(9)
(0)
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.
(0)
(0)
PO1 Kellen Data
I’ll have you know that we of the vastly superior Submarine Service still sport beards underway.
(0)
(0)
8
8
0
Beard conversation aside, the Army used to be a punishment for criminals who could opt for prison or the Army.
(8)
(0)
7
7
0
There are units that will let you grow a beard. You have to pay a hefty price to get there though.
(7)
(0)
SPC David Willis
Is the gas mask sealing really an issue though or are different masks available for use?
(2)
(0)
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.
(3)
(0)
7
7
0
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.
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
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! :)
(0)
(0)
"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
(6)
(0)
6
6
0
As to the regs, there are exceptions. Quite a number of operators in the sandbox have beards. Typically variances are driven by operational necessity. Part of the definition of "uniform" is to look alike. There are different uniforms, but we're directed to wear specific ones for specific circumstances. I needed my beard in Antarctica so my face didn't stick to cold surfaces or frostbit so easily. Defrosting the ice cube out of the beard at dinner was another story though. For the most part, the grooming standards are part of limiting the variation and keeping things more "uniform". It comes with the job and like all the other regs can be considered a condition of employment. Although still legal in the Navy, the Marines didn't appreciate me showing up on their base in my beard. I didn't need it any more so shaved. The Navy ditched the beard thing around 1980.
(6)
(0)
SCPO David Ingram
Gotta say Captain that's a pretty nice looking beard. I was in during the Zumwalt years and (Zgrams) as I recall the command had to approve individually and if the sailor looked like shit with one off it came. I remember a lot of the "old salts" looked, well salty with them. I unfortunately was one of those that the bearded old Chief said, "don't even think about it Shitbird". I don't recall any issues or problems with them and the navy guys were fighting flight deck fires etc. with them.
Does the Navy stil support "deep freeze"? someone said the Air Force (god forbid) has it now. I wonder if they are authorized to wear beards.
Cheers
Does the Navy stil support "deep freeze"? someone said the Air Force (god forbid) has it now. I wonder if they are authorized to wear beards.
Cheers
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
CPT William Jones
That looks not bad atall but should it be required to be 1.5 inches shorter or maybe 3 inches longer what about the two i shaved but trimmed portions under lower lip. Fill in sides it trim it all the way across under the lip.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google