Should men in uniform be forced to shave?

[Gerald]

A rabbi is suing the US Army for refusing to let him serve unless he removes his beard. The US military, as well as many police forces across America, require recruits to be clean shaven. But what is wrong with sporting a beard in the line of duty?

Chin straps, goatees, stubble, soul patches, mutton chops or just the old-fashioned full version.

There are many ways to grow a beard, but if you're serving in the US military, getting creative with your chin furniture is not an option.

The different branches of the US insist that recruits are clean shaven. Those later in their career are permitted to go as far as growing a moustache. But even that facial freedom comes with caveats.

"Moustaches are allowed, but hair may not extend beyond the edges of the lips, nor may it extend below the top of the upper lip," says a US Army spokesman.

"Sideburns may not grow below a level even with the bottom of the ear canal."

As for beards, well, they're banned.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12740975

Note: 23 March 2011 Last updated at 13:01 GMT

[Freiwillige]

A Rabbi is suing.

Why does a Rabbi want to join the army? Isn't Rabbi a career in itself?

Nope, just a little hair. Besides, if someones religion requires them to wear a beard its kinda stupid to forbid them to risk their lives for your country.

Also, doesn't that article state that the beards are helping to gain respect? Seems like a diplomatic advantage that would be wrong to ban.

In closing, Beards are manly, stop forcing our soldiers to look like pussies.

Why does a Rabbi want to join the army? Isn't Rabbi a career in itself?

Isn't a priest a career in itself , why would a priest want to join the Chaplian Corps?
Hold on , a priest wants to know if you still get altar boys in the chaplain corps, a job has to have the perks

[Neptunus Rex]

Let him keep the beard. When he don's that gas mask for the first time in the presense of CS dust/gas, he'll then understand why.

[Platapus]

Yes, for the sake of uniformity, I do believe that all men should shave in the military. There are also safety concerns (although I don't think Chaplain would be a concern)

Besides, if you absolutely can't follow your religion without special hair/markings/clothing/jewelry, I have concerns about the religion.

One should be able to be faithful in the heart/soul regardless of special hair/markings/clothing/jewelry.

Being in the military is a service profession. You are in the service of the country. We have rules to our game, you have rules in your game.

If you don't want to play by our rules, don't play on our team.

It's still a volunteer force.

[August]

Yes soldiers should be clean shaven. Their hair should be cut short too. There are safety equipment and field hygiene considerations but mainly it's a uniformity thing. IMO facial hair and other fashion affectations have no place in the regimentation of military service.

[Dowly]

Put him into a gas chamber, give him a gasmask and if he manages to get it airtight despite the beard, then let him serve.

Originally Posted by Platapus

It's still a volunteer force.

What if the draft is instituted, would I be able to get out of service by growing a beard and refusing to cut it off? Or will they tie me down and forcefully shave me everytime my facial hair gets too long?

Put him into a gas chamber

Imagine if that was taken out of context

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Imagine if that was taken out of context

[Aramike]

Why does it seem everyone wants to change the military to fit their tastes, these days?

Look people - if you want to join an organization, follow its rules. If you're unwilling to do so ... you guessed it, don't join.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Rilder

What if the draft is instituted, would I be able to get out of service by growing a beard and refusing to cut it off? Or will they tie me down and forcefully shave me everytime my facial hair gets too long?

No, they would use a little thing called "collective punishment". It is an awesome way to manipulate a group of people to force adherence to standards

The DI punishes everyone else because you won't shave.

The problem will be resolved soon.

Remember Full Metal Jacket?

WARNING ADULT LANGUAGE




It is called providing the proper motivation.

[Skybird]

Why uniformity in the military? Why not let everybody wear what he wants, and for identification purposes, a golden neclace with an idol, having engraved the national flag into it - that should be enough.

Multicultural diversity! It serves the military cause to approach military task in many different ways and ethnic habits!

Russian orthodox priests into the army, yeah! They don't wash themselves and shall not be touched by anybody! Let's have a stynker brigade! Other armies' enemies worry about running out of ammo - our enemies worry about running out of soap! It's about religion and avoiding to be perceived as discriminating religious groups - so no dirty jokes, please! Religion is a very serious issue.

[krashkart]

Soldiers look more professional without facial hair. That and everything pointed out by Platapus and August (EDIT: and Aramike), especially uniformity. The idea is to get multiple individuals functioning together as a whole, and stripping the hair away helps that indoctrination along. So if the man wants to serve he'll just have to suck it up like everyone else and shave. If he won't do that then he might not be a good fit for the military. It's only temporary; he can grow it back after he's done serving.