Posted on 09/07/2016 2:56:20 PM PDT by PROCON
American service members are petitioning for the return of beards to the US military, with their petition now containing well over 10,000 signatures.
According to the petition page “Beards for Military“ on change.org, the writers of the petition call for the return of the long-gone tradition of tasteful facial hair on service members, citing a boost in morale.
“All I want is to be able to grow a beard,” the petition reads, as penned by Ed Beebe. “I want to grow long locks of love on my face that will make me feel like a manly man. It is not something out of this world to ask. Grooming standards will still be in effect, but I just want facial hair that I can run my fingers through. This is free of cost to the government and can have morale boosting potential for military members.”
The petition proposes grooming standards for beards and the option to shave if there is a chemical threat where gas masks may be needed.
“What about a chemical environment where a gas mask is needed?” the petition asks. “In environments where a chemical threat is possible JUST SHAVE. If it is found later that no chemical threat is near then grow that manly beard right back out. Easy day.”
The ban on beards came primarily around the time of World War I, during the dawn of chemical warfare. Since then, the allowances or re-introduction of beards has been either short-lived policy (such as the 1970s Navy) or on a case-by-case basis, such as Special Operations Forces.
Beards have also come up as a sore topic of discussion in the case of several Sikh soldiers and a rabbi who were citing religious reasons for their facial hair.
US Army AR 670-1 regulations state that “Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized. If appropriate medical authority allows beard growth, the maximum length authorized for medical treatment must be specific.” For example, “The length of the beard cannot exceed 1/4 inch.”
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Someone in the military spends the large majority of their career outside of combat zones. There is no drinking allowed when deployed, but that doesn’t mean everyone in the military has to be a teetotaler. There would be nothing wrong about telling people to shave before deploying or for field exercises.
I flew, and the oxygen mask would not be compatible with a beard. THAT I understood. But I never understood why the only legal mustache in the USAF was one like Hitler’s...
Well, then I'll put your Dad's Birth Control Glasses down as an epic FAIL!
it’s been too long. I don’t remember carrying a gas mask. are gas masks a required carry ?
I did when I was in the Field Artillery, 35 years ago.
Younger vets will have to enlighten us.
You know it. And more will join.
Off subject a little, but I remember a petition that went around my ship when I was in the Navy asking that chewing tobacco be more reliably carried in the ship’s store. I also remember the all hands stand down where it was explained that the Navy doesn’t operate on petitions and creating another would be bad for our careers.
no you can get a good seal...
The petition does seem like whining, huh?
I was aircrew and the first we would do when getting into an aircraft is put our helmet and mask on and run a fit and regulator check to make sure we could get oxygen in an emergency. That would have been much more difficult with facial hair. Want a beard? Don’t join the military. Besides, doesn’t anyone remember those interns who recently petitioned for a relaxed dress code? They were escorted off of the property and their internships were cancelled. Be prepared for negative consequences when signing a petition like that.
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"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!" |
Ok so you earn your right to a beard after basic.
There is a word for a person without a beard: a woman.
You don't have any "rights" in the Military.
There is a word for a person without a beard: a woman.
Really?
You've just insulted me and other decorated combat veterans who choose not to grow a beard, **** you!
Assuming you enjoy shooting, did you stop practice shooting once you became proficient? Or do you still practice?
I would hate to have soldiers die for vanity, FRiend.
Having been a soldier, and subsequently sporting facial hair for many years, I understand both sides, but will choose the life of our service members every time.
Well, okay. But growing a beard isn’t a “pursuit”. It’s a natural bodily function of a man, requiring no effort. Same as the hair growing on your head.
The recent beard trend is a desperate grasp for symbols of masculinity in an increasingly emasculated society populated by males who did not have good role models as children, and who thus do not know what it is to be real man.
For real.
What’s god enough for The New York Yankees is good enough for the servicemen.
No beards or long hair. :-)
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Fortunately I have both a beard and a rather impressive DD-214 that goes along with my free license plates.
So, go be insulted. Maybe you should get a safe space.
It’s not an either or. The risk of chemical attack is low. The training is not that hard.
Btw the Israelis have masks that seal just fine with beards. And even ours seal with short beards. So it’s really much ado about nothing.
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