DA Pam 670-1
DA Pam 670-1
Posted on Mar 7, 2022
How is the grooming policy interpreted for a shaving profile, specifically regarding shaping it versus keeping it clean and professional?
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Throughout my years in the military, I've been confused with the whole shaving profile regulation. I've had it myself on and off since I get really bad ingrown hair, make it not only painful but looks terrible afterwards! Coming up in the ranks I've had multiple leaders and senior NCOs tell me that you're not supposed to line it up because it's against regulations." Yeah, I'm tracking the whole. Army Regulation 670-1 Ch 3-2(b) page 7 stating "... 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" (see TB Med 287). Soldiers will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by the appropriate medical authority, but are not authorized TO SHAPE the hair growth (examples include, but are not limited to, goatees, "Fu Manchu," or handlebar mustaches)!" However, I've seen multiple senior NCOs with a shaving profile with a nice and clean lined up beard.. therefore my confusion. So, the regulation doesn't quite refer to lining it up as of "shaping the hair growth" instead, I see that as keeping it clean and looking professional instead of ate up and looking like hot garbage.
I want to hear the serious opinion of other service members, can you line it up or not? Any input is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I want to hear the serious opinion of other service members, can you line it up or not? Any input is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Posted in these groups: 
DA Pam 670-1
Grooming Standards
DA Pam 670-1 Grooming Standards
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 4
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The intent is, if one can line the beard it is likely they truly don’t have a condition that warrants a profile. Manage the length.
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SGT (Join to see) I agree shaping beards is best practice for any beard grower. However, those on shaving profile are not beard growers. They have a medical exemption to the grooming standard. I agree that this results in hot garbage for some Soldiers who have uneven growth lines or patchwork facial hair. Good thing the Army is not a beauty contest.
Standards are about maintaining uniformity. If one person on a shaving profile can line up the edges of the facial hair without severe skin irritation, but another cannot, the result would be not uniform.
Since lining up a beard clearly violates the regulation, it is a non starter. Soldiers should not do it and NCOs should not allow it.
On a side note, I really wish we could just allow beards and provide for grooming standards of facial hair growth. I have been in situations that required a dive mask and/or CBRN mask and with 3 days growth, it did not affect the seal nor did I have hygiene problems. Those that would have issues would certainly need to keep their facial hair to a minimum.
Standards are about maintaining uniformity. If one person on a shaving profile can line up the edges of the facial hair without severe skin irritation, but another cannot, the result would be not uniform.
Since lining up a beard clearly violates the regulation, it is a non starter. Soldiers should not do it and NCOs should not allow it.
On a side note, I really wish we could just allow beards and provide for grooming standards of facial hair growth. I have been in situations that required a dive mask and/or CBRN mask and with 3 days growth, it did not affect the seal nor did I have hygiene problems. Those that would have issues would certainly need to keep their facial hair to a minimum.
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The regs are clear, no shaping of facial hair. I believe the regs to be correct. In my opinion... if you can shape it and keep the area around the beard line clean and clear... you can shave the whole thing. I would love to have a nice professional looking lined up beard as well, but that is not the regs. I have no issue with shaving profiles and I encourage my soldiers to get one if they need it; but there is a limit to everything. Just my opinion on the subject.
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