Can somebody give me one good reason as to why the U.S military has to shave and other NATO countries such as Germany do not?

2020-08-24T00:37:00-04:00

Gonna stir the pot up in here a bit to see what your answers are. Most countries militaries are allowed to not shave as long as it appears professional. They use protective masks as well. I wanna hear your reasons as to why the U.S Military MUST have a clean shaving appearance.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 24 at 2020 12:49 AM

2020-08-24T00:49:59-04:00

The first reason I can think of is beards itch and when they get dirty they itch even more, when I got out 18 years ago I grew one for about 2 months then shaved it off been clean shaved except for a mustache ever since

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 24 at 2020 2:00 AM

2020-08-24T02:00:32-04:00

Because the boss said so. End of story.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2020 3:25 AM

2020-08-24T03:25:39-04:00

Textbook answer is they interfere with the seal of the mask and you need something like vaseline to aid the seal.

Real reason is "neat and professional appearance". Until the people writing the regulations believe that a scraggly 19 year old with an attempted beard, or a patchy guy with a shaving profile, look "neat and professional" that is they way it will remain.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Aug 24 at 2020 4:45 AM

2020-08-24T04:45:48-04:00

Bottom line up front - because the DoD wants it that way for a uniform appearance, It's already a PITA to try and enforce the Mustache standard, enough so that there is an unwritten rule in the Infantry that there will be no mustaches.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2020 5:53 AM

2020-08-24T05:53:19-04:00

I agree NATO countries SM’s still look professional. Haircuts and shaving don’t have an impact on lethality SFC

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 24 at 2020 6:15 AM

2020-08-24T06:15:26-04:00

Your not stirring any pot. Simple, because they say so!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2020 6:32 AM

2020-08-24T06:32:08-04:00

It's funny you posted this, as I just had this conversation yesterday. Currently overseas in a joint environment, with every branch represented as well as multiple nations. And we are the only ones who shave. It is almost comical.

I have worked with Austrian SOF a little bit in the past, and they explained how in order to grow beards, they would go infront of their CSM and request approval. CSM would make them shave, and come back in 30 days. If the beard wasn't "full" enough, they had to shave.

Response by Maj John Bell made Aug 24 at 2020 6:57 AM

2020-08-24T06:57:25-04:00

Because they (our NATO allies) aren't as fortunate as us and cannot count on reliably getting razor blades.

And sooner or later some knuckle head will show up at morning formation with this.

https://blog.fendrihan.com/2016/03/5-ways-being-clean-shaven-improves-your-life/

https://manlinesskit.com/surprising-reasons-why-time-to-shave-your-beard-off/

5 Ways Being Clean-Shaven Improves Your Life |

5-ways keeping a clean-shave improves a man's life.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 24 at 2020 8:21 AM

2020-08-24T08:21:22-04:00

Historically short haircuts and clean shaves were to prevent sickness and promote could health while in field environments. WWI led to many evolution's into what we consider modern warfare to include health and wellness. WWI and trench warfare saw a spike in lice and other illnesses due to poor living conditions and poor grooming standards. It was also made evident that a shaved face lets a gas mask be worn easier and allows for a proper seal to be formed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2020 8:25 AM

2020-08-24T08:25:44-04:00

for the same reason you can't have your hands in your pockets.....

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 24 at 2020 9:24 AM

2020-08-24T09:24:41-04:00

Our regulations were written by conservative old white dudes with very parochial and arbitrary definitions of "discipline"...
"Appearance over competence" is the order of the day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2020 9:54 AM

2020-08-24T09:54:24-04:00

Because thinking is hard. You have to shave or your mask wont seal. Unless you have a profile. Or bumps. Or you're a viking. Or Muslim......etc

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Aug 24 at 2020 12:58 PM

2020-08-24T12:58:17-04:00

Some people make an art form out of not shaving. The regulation makes allowances for some degree of individuality but the more we do things the same the more we present a uniform appearance. Bad for tactics but good for appearance and demonstrating unity, good order and discipline, etc. It aids in marking you as one who has the desire to belong to this group of people, e.g. no matter what everyone else does we do it this way. Personally I feel that facial hair of any sort is inconsistent with a neat and military appearance. That's just my opinion though and I don't necessarily know what I'm talking about, lol. The mask thing may hold true but probably has more utility during CD ops where the worst thing you'll encounter is cn/cs. Around the real stuff, a beard is probably the least of your worries.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Aug 24 at 2020 5:31 PM

2020-08-24T17:31:15-04:00

I remember a couple of MD's in Korea who wrote many shaving profiles for Polar Dehydrative Dermatitis - aka cold-weather razor burn.

I always thought the hair regulations were absurd and pushed them as far as I could, both with the length of hair and mustache.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Aug 24 at 2020 5:38 PM

2020-08-24T17:38:01-04:00

Simple and can be done with a demonstration. An American service member and a NATO service member. Both have their respective gas masks. Both don them before entering a CS environment. While not comfortable the US service member is not hacking, coughing etc... the NATO service member is.

Hair does not allow a good seal. And the fact you are ordered to.

Response by LCDR Mike Morrissey made Aug 25 at 2020 1:11 AM

2020-08-25T01:11:12-04:00

Well let’s see. There were two different times when, as an officer, I grew a beard, and a nice one it was. I will never again wear one aboard ship. The findings of what happens during a fire at sea on modern warships are startling especially more so when beards are factored in. That said, during the days of Navy beards, the range from well groomed to ratty patches really became evident. At the same time that beards finally left the modern Navy we were embroiled in the T-shirt and socks for Officers controversies...the wife of the Academy Commandant determined that officers should not have t-shirts visible with open collar uniforms and a man’s leg should not show skin so socks had to be long enough to cover when legs are crossed in the male fashion...ohhhhh those were the days...NOT. Only blue camouflage at sea could overshadow the socks and Ts kerrfluffle

When I’ve seen foreign navy with beards, it seems that two things prevailed. 1. They looked good on the ones wearing same. 2. If an occupational specialty was counter, no beard.

Young Hitler sported a handsome mustache in the Army until his first gas attack. His signature Charlie Chaplin cut was tailored by him to accommodate his gas mask. Sadly, he survived the first attack.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Aug 25 at 2020 1:11 AM

2020-08-25T01:11:33-04:00

Gas mask!