Should men in uniform be forced to shave?

[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

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by 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.

Buhahahhah I like the way you think.
Although, they'd make him take the mask off anyway. At least they still did when i went though. That's how i knew that mask REALLY worked!

As an aside I made the mistake of shaving that morning before i left the barracks. (they even told us NOT to shave that morning, but i forgot). Few things can burn your fugly mug like CS/CN seeping into those freshly opened skin pores!

[Freiwillige]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Imagine if that was taken out of context

Your rapier whit strikes again!

[tater]

I think they should have to do whatever they are told to do. If that means no beard, so be it.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

Buhahahhah
As an aside I made the mistake of shaving that morning before i left the barracks. (they even told us NOT to shave that morning, but i forgot). Few things can burn your fugly mug like CS/CN seeping into those freshly opened skin pores!

As an aside to your aside, When I went through chem school at Redstone, they used chlorine gas. My buddy and I were the first through the chamber. Because we were the first, we were told to hang out by the exit and assist the other students coming out so they don't trip.

The problem was that we were unmasked. By standing next to the exit, every time the door opened, we got hit with chlorine gas. We ended up being the ones needing help. I seldom puked so badly.

Ah the good ole days in the military, they sure sucked.

[August]

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?

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.

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Ah the good ole days in the military, they sure sucked.

And yet, i'll wager, you remember them fondly!

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by 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.

[frau kaleun]

Personally I think they should all have scruffy three-day beards.

In all seriousness, I lean towards GR's exceptions posted above, other than that, I can see the point of "uniformity" for both safety/hygiene reasons and the psychological effect it probably has.

[the_tyrant]

Now, it doesn't take a political scientist to see that our Cold War with the Russians isn't ideological - it's based upon fear. Fear of not having enough. But if we make resources infinite... ah... we make war obsolete. I would hope the other Watchmen understand that. Wherever they may be. Thanks for your time.

-The cause of all war

There is a fear that there is not enough manliness to go around
that if one man gets awesome facial hair, it "sucks" the manliness away from other troops!

[August]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Ah the US Civil war, where more soldiers died because of disease caused by bad sanitation and hygiene than were killed in combat.

Not exactly a great argument for bringing back beards and long hair I think!...

[Ducimus]

You know what......

When you sign that mother loving contract. You become government property. You do what your told, when your told, and how your told to do it. (so long as its a lawful order) When your contract is up, your free and clear to not shave as much as you damn well please. Just like every other guy who ever wore a uniform, for generations now.

On that note, i shave maybe once a week. Once it starts pulling at my face, time to cut that fur off my fugly mug.

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Anyone serving in the Navy in a non-flying role

What if they have to put on an EAB?

[UnderseaLcpl]

It's an all-volunteer force, except when it isn't. Don't like the regs? Then get lost. Nobody has the "right" to serve in the US military, only the opportunity. As such, your "rights" in the military are what the military says they are.

Failing to shave regularly and maintain a decent haircut is acceptable in certain field conditions, like when you have no razors, or when you're in some pansy branch. Aside from that, you maintain proper grooming standards at all times. If this particular rabbi were in my squad, I'd.....well....I don't know, but it would it would be a very fitting punishment with a touch of irony that either fell within the bounds of hazing regs or left no traceable evidence.

While we're on the subject, I also think that women in uniform should be forced to shave, nay, get a bikini wax. For hygienic reasons only, of course.

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Failing to shave regularly and maintain a decent haircut is acceptable in certain field conditions, like when you have no razors, or when you're in some pansy branch. .

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