Posted on May 5, 2015
Do you believe we should be allowed to grow beards in a deployed environment?
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So, just something I thought would be an interesting topic. Both funny and to see what people really have to say about it. But seriously, combat beards are awesome. Everyone's thoughts? Serious or not it's all welcome.
http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/04/pentagon-study-finds-beards-directly-proportional-to-combat-effectiveness/
http://www.duffelblog.com/2012/04/pentagon-study-finds-beards-directly-proportional-to-combat-effectiveness/
Combat
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 73
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Depends if the theater has a threat of chemical weapons being employed. i'm no SMA but if i was, beards would make a come back. Cueing Civil War era photos.
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Cpl Brett Harvey
I just used my civilian mask to refinish my tub and I didn't get an leaks with my beard. I would of know if i did. Where is the data to support the claim?
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MSgt Marlin Tatom
The no beard thing came about because of mustard/chlorine gas and WWI. King Camp Gillette made a fortune off selling shaving kits to the military of different countries so they could shave off their beards for the gas masks of the time, which were primitive at best. It probably has nothing to do with modern times and 100 years later, but like everything else in the military, it won't change because "tradition"
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I'm going to reply to my own topic here as I see alot of people citing the whole cant seal a pro-mask myth. If we were in the WWI or WWII era then yes you would be correct. In this day and age of protective technology you can, in fact seal your mask with a beard. Now, how long your beard is might come into play. Take mine for example. The one in the pic, I can seal a mask. If you're looking like a viking with an awesome beard that can be braided down to your belly, then no, you can't seal your mask. That being said. Even in the SOF community we have to keep our beards trimmed to a certain extent. Is it always followed? Absolutely not. It's a combat beard, it makes you awesome.
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PO1 (Join to see)
I'm sorry....Admiral William T. Sampson was asking, "What were you saying about awesome beards?"
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CPT (Join to see)
I cited that reason. Since my entire life I have failed at beard growing, that is a bit of info I overlooked.
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SrA (Join to see)
Agreed can totally seal your mask with the beard I've done it as well. Speaking as an enlisted af member I wish we didn't have to worry about when deployed that's just one more stupid thing for that one guy who out ranks you and is having a bad day and it life, to freak out about! Bring on the combat beards!
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The purpose of the military is killing.
Every decision should proceed from that.
Does a beard decrease your combat effectiveness (reasonable threat of CBRN need for good seal with gas mask?)
Does it increase it (cultural connection to local bearded cultures-in extreme cases blending in when in local clothing?)
Every decision should proceed from that.
Does a beard decrease your combat effectiveness (reasonable threat of CBRN need for good seal with gas mask?)
Does it increase it (cultural connection to local bearded cultures-in extreme cases blending in when in local clothing?)
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SFC (Join to see)
SPC Corbin Sayi Well, you would make a good point. But the teams I was with, the Team Leaders, CPTs for ODAs, couldn't grow beards for crap. Yet, we still made our missions work. And honestly, I'm pretty sure most of the US military could give two s**** about what everyone else in the world thinks. Besides, not every battle is going to be a fight against Islamic enemies. But that's just me and my experiences and thoughts.
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Cpl (Join to see)
I agree that it could hinder the seal on a gas mask, Other than that if it doesn't hinder your combat readiness I don't have a problem with it while your deployed
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PO1 (Join to see)
This should be the exact opposite debate. Service members should be allowed to grow beards at all times- EXCEPT when there is imminent threat of a CBR environment. This flimsy "beards aren't professional" stance that the services have been taking has been debunked for over a generation now, especially as many "millennials" are coming of age and entering the professional realm. Beards are experiencing a resurgence in popularity and the members of the military are missing out while somehow being duped out of collectively millions of dollars in razors and shaving creams, treatments, and accessories. Many of my past commanding officers would authorize the sale of "No Shave Chits" by the MWR while deployed, to "boost morale." How silly is it, then, that the second-best reason the military can offer against facial hair is that it hampers the seal of a gas mask or that of firefighting equipment when the most likely event that you will need either of those is when you are deployed? It is an outdated societal value that the aging patriarchs of the military cling to with fervor, along with their high-waisted pants and high-and-tight hair cuts.
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Capt Richard I P.
Sgt Richard Buckner Here's the context of my remarks if you want to discuss specific disagreements.
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