Is trimming neck hair with a shaving profile a blatant violation of AR 670-1?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2023 22:14:36 -0400

I have a permanent shaving profile (legitimately given) due to acne and egregiously bad razor bumps when I shave. My profile cites AR 670-1 terminology when describing the conditions of the profile, specifically "The beard must be uniform and neatly trimmed (insert hair lengths) so as to maintain a neat and clean appearance. No styling of the beard is authorized (e.g. no goatees, handlebar mustache, etc...)."

I recently had a company CoC ceremony, and the morning of, used an electric trimmer, as authorized in my profile, to get rid of some hair on my neck that was making me look unprofessional and unkempt. This hair is not in the area my shaving profile was issued for, so I did not actively cause myself harm or blatantly violate the profile. After the ceremony, a senior NCO called me aside and asked me if I had lined my beard up. In retrospect, I should have clarified what he meant, as I had been previously asked about my cheeks being lined up, and had to explain that the hair there grew that way. I answered the question with a yes, assuming he was referring to my neck area, and he corrected me.

I just checked regulation, and while it does state that styling the beard is unauthorized (citing the few examples), its terminology is, in my opinion, broad enough to leave it to interpretation. Personally, I don't think clearing the hair from unproblematic areas in order to maintain a kempt and professional appearance is in violation of the regulation or my profile, but I can also understand NCOs that don't allow any trimming or cutting with a permanent profile just to avoid confusion or unnecessary interpretation.

I can also understand those that will argue if that area is shaveable, then it is subject to grooming standards and should be shaved every day. Or those that might say that because the shaving profile doesn't exclude a specific location from its conditions, then you are violating the profile when you line it up.

Realistically, I just want to look presentable when I can, and unfortunately, when I let it grow out, my neck hair starts to interfere with that and makes me look unkempt.

Thank you in advance for any feedback. I don't intend to ride lines or regulation, or dig for loopholes, or even jeopardize my profile, as it was incredibly difficult to receive. I just want to clarify and get second opinions on whether I should just let it be unkept but within length, or keep the neck hair away when I can so I can be somewhat presentable.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made May 25 at 2023 10:25 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 25 May 2023 22:25:18 -0400

You MUST follow the profile. But so does your Chain of Command - Without riding lines or regulations, or digging for loopholes, or jeopardizing your profile. The MD who wrote the profile is the only one who can pass judgement on this issue.
Be aware that profiles have to be periodically (you may get worse) reviewed, even the profiles that are given a permanent status.
"A temporary profile must be shorter than twelve months, according to regulation. If it needs to be longer than twelve months, the Soldier in question needs to obtain a permanent profile" ~Army Regulation 40–502.

Response by COL Randall C. made May 25 at 2023 10:41 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 25 May 2023 22:41:58 -0400

The simplest solution for an unclear profile is to go back to the doctor and ask him to clarify it specifically. In this case, did he mean to include your neck area in the profile or not?

As SFC Ralph E Kelley said, the MD who wrote the profile is the only one who can pass judgement on it.