Should men in uniform be forced to shave?

Well for one it's all about looking Uniform and as one.

Two have you ever been to the gas chamber? Riot control gas is terrible and believe me the second that rabbi steps into the chamber with a beard and his mop gear doest seal, he'll be wishing dearly that he has shaved.

Because if that last fact he won't win in court.

Originally Posted by August

Well no, they'd just put you in a military prison for the duration of your service, maybe longer, then eventually toss you out with a dishonorable discharge. Don't confuse the way they treat volunteer non conformists with the way they'll treat draftees.

What if every single draftee grows a beard? Throw them all in prison?

Seems pretty retarded to throw a perfectly good soldier into prison because of a bit of facial hair, what if manpower is low? At what point do you start risking losing the war because of facial hair?

This is just What-ifs scenarios running through my head, honestly. Obviously if there is a draft going on then there is manpower needed and the war has a chance of being lost.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

You must have known i would have to with to that, didn't ya?

Making fun of other services is just as integral to Marine Corps doctrine as proper maintenance of facial hair is. It's like trolling, but a doctrine. Your posted links, while pretty cool, do not change this fact.

Admittedly, I'm actually in violation of that doctrine right now for not mercilessly and baselessly ridiculing you for being a homosexual. It's nothing personal, you understand. Actually, in the absence of personnel from other services, the doctrine changes to ridiculing members of other USMC units for being homosexuals, or failing that, members of one's own unit.

However, this is a public forum and doctrine dictates that I not represent the Marine Corps poorly, so you will not have to address the insinuation that the entire 823rd Airborne is of questionable sexual preference.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

What if they have to put on an EAB?

I meant to mention that, but I forgot to add the modifier "all beards while at sea should remain trimmed to a "one guard".

That did cross my mind.

I have used several types of masks and PBEs etc and my closely trimmed beard was never a problem with such devices

[August]

Originally Posted by Rilder

What if every single draftee grows a beard? Throw them all in prison?

Seems pretty retarded to throw a perfectly good soldier into prison because of a bit of facial hair, what if manpower is low? At what point do you start risking losing the war because of facial hair?

Well I would say that a soldier who cares that much about his precious beard is not a perfectly good soldier but rather a prima-donna that is likely to throw a similar hissy fit every time a personally disagreeable regulation is applied to him.

He'd be bad news for any military unit and I for one certainly wouldn't want him in the foxhole next to me.

[kiwi_2005]

I like beards Ive always wanted to grow one of those ZZ top beards but I can never get pass the 3rd week of growing one, face becomes very ichy that I end up shaving it off. I cant handle it Maybe when Im an old man and have no feeling in my face then I'll grow myself a ZZ top one.

[Gerald]

I personally think that you have an obligation to follow the rules, if you have been contracted or agreed to voluntarily

Because if that last fact he won't win in court.

Yet according to the lawyer 3 people have been allowed in the past 2 years and the lawyer has been fighting and winning these beardy cases over several decades.

[Rockstar]

The military CAN NOT make you do anything you don't want to do!

But they can make you wish you had. So do me a favor and say hello to my cousin Bubba for me.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by 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.

I go with this sentiment as well.

[Weiss Pinguin]

I wonder what the IDF's rules are on this I haven't seen many pictures of bushy-bearded Israeli soldiers...

[AVGWarhawk]

[Wreford-Brown]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

My opinion:

The following should be allowed to have beards:

Any member of a special forces unit
Anyone serving in the Navy in a non-flying role
Anyone serving in any branch of service if religious reasons are given provided the individual is involved with a chaplain position

British Special Forces shave unless they are working in an environment where they are not meant to stand out from the crowd.

The Royal Navy allows all of it's members to grow a beard as long as it is kept tidy.

Chaplains tend to do their own thing anyway (despite being non-combatants I know of a few who are armed 'to protect their flock'), but if the rules state that you need to shave then you should shave. If you want to serve your country and keep your beard then join another service like the Navy!

[August]

The sky pilot on the left looks like he's sporting a US Army 18th Airborne Corps combat patch.

[Gerald]