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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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Because you are an American service member and we go by our own standards
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Go ahead and grow a Jerry Garcia beard and stand in the gas chamber with your mask. Lemme know how it goes.
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The idea of short hair being associated with military professionalism has two sources: hygiene and hand-hand combat. Short hair is less likely to develop filth and lice, and can not be used to restrain you by an opponent. Operators and SOF guys grow beards for cultural reasons, because they have to interact with village elders and leaders who associate facial hair with authority and virility.
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Hygiene is also an important consideration. It is extremely difficult to keep a beard clean and germ free. Ground combat is far different from sea duty, a beard can interfere with mask seals, standards would be very difficult maintain and enforce.
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The only exception is special ops. Working under cover in another country. Mainly to fit in.
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Stop whining. Professionals must look as such. We are not other countries military. Glad I have been retired for 27 years.
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When in Service I did have facial hair but trimmed within Navy guidelines of the time. Fortunately my beard was not as grizzled nor full as now some 40 years later...
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The real reason is because we still remember a hard lesson from the First World War. The rubber on your pro mask has trouble creating a perfect seel if you have any facial hair.
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