Posted on Jan 23, 2015
Should the US Navy / Military allow beards to accomodate Muslims in the ranks?
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I saw this in the main stream media a while back. The US Navy is also toying with a pilot project of allowing women to keep certain hairstyles in bootcamp. They are thinking of expanding it over to men as well.
To be fair it also falls in line with Hindu requesting to wear turbans and beards too.
To be fair it also falls in line with Hindu requesting to wear turbans and beards too.
Posted in these groups: 
Grooming Standards
Islam
Grooming Standards Islam
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 35
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No. Military customs and courtesies are important for the traditions of all branches of services. I believe that there has to be a foundational structure that when every leaf has been plucked off the tree, the one thing that gaurentees it's continual growth is its roots. This beard discussion kills the root of the foundation of military and service. You make the decision before you join. Do I want to loose my hair, my beard? Or do I want to serve something greater than self? That choice is yours.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
CSM Victor Angry The lack of beards is pretty recent as far as the Navy is concerned. And in the Military as a whole, is only within the last 100 years has the military been relatively beardless and that has only really been due to WWI.
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CSM Victor Angry
Good history lesson MSgt Copeland. My comments are directed at these most recent 100 years.
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CSM Victor Angry
Hey 2LT. I see your background is in law, I applaud that the services need more young officers like you to maintain the balance and ensure professional pride in leadership doesn't become clouded with personal power. I'm a simple Soldier that understood (when I served), how to maintain the delicate balance of respect and organizational pride along with my ultimate job of accomplishing the mission. I'm all for religious freedoms and personal beliefs. I ultimately believe that an individual has a decision to make when they want to become a part of something that's greater than self. To me it's simple, the services support and defend democracy (they did when I retired from the Army), when you decide to serve you are serving under a dictatorship, we support and defend democracy. That's a simple concept to me and no, dictatorship does not mean treat your people like crap. It means understanding the rules before you enter this game and leaders enforcing those rules with no debates. Again, if you want to keep your beard or your hair long, then service is not for you.
That's my personal opinion and thank you for your candidness, I respect that.
That's my personal opinion and thank you for your candidness, I respect that.
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CSM Victor Angry
To be correct, MAJ Kalsi didn't say it ain't so, the Army leadership did by granted it in these cases which I would say there will be some changes made soon (if not already) on this subject. Until such time, this is clearly a case by case subject.
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Having been in a Marine Detachment back when beards in the Navy were allowed, I'd have to say no. No religious accommodations. I know the Army has allowed Sikhs to keep their beards and turbans, and Orthodox Rabbis can have their beards as well, but getting that gas mask on and seal aint gonna work with a beard.
If I have to tuck my St. Christopher medal or my cross into my t-shirt, then the other religions need to comply as well. No favoritism.
If I have to tuck my St. Christopher medal or my cross into my t-shirt, then the other religions need to comply as well. No favoritism.
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SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood
2LT R. A. - tell them to carry it in their pockets.This is not apples to oranges,there are reasons for conformity in the military and religious values should not trump the military,they are saying if you can not keep it from being seen then you can not wear it,so why should i have to look at someone elses religious belief.
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SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood
2LT R. A. - Sorry 2LT ,but you were the one that posed the question about the beards,not me,i do not agree with policy to let the sikh's to wear their own head gear,as i said earlier,if you can not keep your religious medallions from being seen ,then you can not wear them,so why should ones religious faith trump someone elses faith,it sounds to that you may have some beef with military ,next thing that will happen is that they want to wear their religious uniforms.
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LTC Trent Klug
No 2LT R A, its not apples and oranges. My articles of faith have to stay concealed beneath my clothing. Meanwhile, females soldiers who are muslim can wear the hijab in uniform; Sikhs can wear theirs-their beards and their religious headgear in uniform, and Orthodox Jewish Rabbi's have their beards while in uniform as well.
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I think we should go back to the days when everyone could wear beards. No religious reason, I just don't like shaving. But I do, because that's what the regs say.
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CPO (Join to see)
BTW, took the shot because I was twisting the ends there (stress) and was like holy crap.... Normally don't flare out the handlebar at work.
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Sgt Adam Jennings
I'm with you, and I love the Civil War and I think it would be a great homage to our ancestors.
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