U.S. Military Dress Code To Change

[Waitone]

to become more SikhMuslimWiccanBuddhist friendly.  No word on whether Christians will be granted a carve-out

http://theulstermanreport.com/2014/01/22/breaking-u-s-military-dress-code-to-now-allow-muslim-friendly-beards-and-turbans/

[Bigjake]

If that's all it takes, there are going to be 4 Sikhs on that list next time I drill....   ZZ Top beard finally within regs!!

Catchall religious no shave chit for the win, bitches! 

[Viking]

Convert to Norse Paganism. Grow beard and glue horns to your helmet.

[charby]

Other than face fitted gas masks, what is the problem with beards in the military?

[Fitz]

Rest assured that if you're not a terp or a doctor, these rules will not apply.

There's no way the establishment goes along with this unless they're forced to on a case by case basis. White guy claiming to be a muslim? Forget about it.

Remember, this is the military who recently made the decision to start forcing soldiers to be clean shaven OFF duty.

[French G.]

Other than face fitted gas masks, what is the problem with beards in the military?

Shipboard fire fighting, same issue, people with beards become casualties in short order. And jealousy, everyone secretly wants to be that one white guy they know that got a no shave chit for pseudofolliculitis.

Me, I'd rather keep things...oh what's that word.... Uniform! Yeah, what an idea.

[dogmush]

Let me translate to civilian for you guys:

Department of Defense instructions that said the military will make every effort to accommodate “individual expressions of sincerely held beliefs” of service members. The memo said unless the items have an adverse impact on readiness, order or discipline, commanders will be allowed to grant special permission for personnel to wear religious article while in uniform.

Means:

It's theoretically possible so you can take your lawsuit and shove it, but your commander will not authorize it.  Suck it the *expletive deleted*ck up.

[Firethorn]

Other than face fitted gas masks, what is the problem with beards in the military?

Beards are a way to express individuality.  We can't have that!

Seriously, the argument I've been given, aside from the gas mask seal, was 'uniformity'.  It's easier to make everybody look the same if everyone is clean shaven.

As for the gas mask seal, there's some wax stuff you can put on beards and end up with an even better seal than straight skin.

[RoadKingLarry]

Navy still allowed beards when I was in. First kid was born at an Air Force Hospital (Travis). I had some interesting conversations about having a beard while there.

[HankB]

If some personnel are granted exemptions that others aren't - whatever the reason - I would anticipate adverse effects on morale.

[roo_ster]

Beards are a way to express individuality.  We can't have that!

Seriously, the argument I've been given, aside from the gas mask seal, was 'uniformity'.  It's easier to make everybody look the same if everyone is clean shaven.

As for the gas mask seal, there's some wax stuff you can put on beards and end up with an even better seal than straight skin.

Yeah, I want yet one more thing to fiddle with while trying to put on the mask before getting hit with nerve agent.

If some personnel are granted exemptions that others aren't - whatever the reason - I would anticipate adverse effects on morale.

Yep, all or none have the option.  Beards sure didn't keep WT Sherman from being effective.

For my part, I would have no problem with beards (trimmed & neat) in garrison.  But them damned whiskers get knocked off for deployment.

[Scout26]

Gas didn't come into play until WWI, so beards were NBD.  But I'm with Roo_ster.  I'm not waxing my beard while trying to put on a Pro-mask.

Same with short hair, because of Lice.

Plus you do want everyone to look uniform, things that stand out get shot at.  That why Aircraft Carriers are called bomb magnets.  

I wouldn't be a fan of beards in Garrison.  SSG and above maybe, but a bunch of 18-20 year old E1-4's with patchy, fuzzy teanage "beards"? 



Ummmm, no.

[Firethorn]

Gas didn't come into play until WWI, so beards were NBD.  But I'm with Roo_ster.  I'm not waxing my beard while trying to put on a Pro-mask.

Silly, you wax your beard when you go to MOPP 2, not when they call for MOPP 4.

I don't think it's a true wax/grease, and apparently pretty easy to remove.

[Devonai]

I wouldn't be a fan of beards in Garrison.  SSG and above maybe, but a bunch of 18-20 year old E1-4's with patchy, fuzzy teanage "beards"? 

I read somewhere recently that the British Navy only allows it if the sailor can grow a full beard.  I'd be screwed; I'm 37 and I have a bald patch on my right cheek that I doubt will ever fill in.

Other than that, I agree with a minimum rank requirement.  Heck, throw in a PT requirement too (say >270/90%), give the >E6s/>O4s a reason to run their asses off. 

[Viking]

I read somewhere recently that the British Navy only allows it if the sailor can grow a full beard.  I'd be screwed; I'm 37 and I have a bald patch on my right cheek that I doubt will ever fill in.

Other than that, I agree with a minimum rank requirement.  Heck, throw in a PT requirement too (say >270/90%), give the >E6s/>O4s a reason to run their asses off. 

I read the same thing, and IIRC, it was "Sailors are allowed to have full beards if they can grow a "respectable" beard within 2 weeks".

[Devonai]

I read the same thing, and IIRC, it was "Sailors are allowed to have full beards if they can grow a "respectable" beard within 2 weeks".

That's it, thanks. :)

[Strings]

I'm still trying to figure out why Wiccans are mentioned in this.

There ARE no "religiously significant" appearance issues for Wiccans. Why are they even mentioned?

[Fitz]

Media sensationalism combined with some officers attempt to cover his bases

[Scout26]

I'm still trying to figure out why Wiccans are mentioned in this.

There ARE no "religiously significant" appearance issues for Wiccans. Why are they even mentioned?

Apparently you weren't paying attention during the 6 hour diversity training seminar that consisted of nothing but powerpoint slides and role-playing games.

You will have to repeat that class and attend the special 32 hour sensitivty training as you hurt the diversity trainer's feelings but not learning in her class.

[Tallpine]

I thought Wiccans fought naked 

[Strings]

Scout: when I was in, it was usually difficult to get the chaplain to understand that my being wiccan was not an excuse for him to try and convert me

Tallpine: that would be the Celts, sir. And they weren't nekkid: they wore blue paint

[Hawkmoon]

Scout: when I was in, it was usually difficult to get the chaplain to understand that my being wiccan was not an excuse for him to try and convert me

Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish chaplain?

I would have had fun with him, whatever persuasion.

[White Horseradish]

If the IDF can figure this out (and they have a whole battalion of Orthodox Jews with beards) I don't see why this should be a problem. Besides, Sikhs serve just fine in British and Indian armies.

Also, these guys. Beard is part of the uniform.

[Azrael256]

You know they're wearing dresses and carrying fire axes, right?  If not for the beards, they'd be made fun of!

[White Horseradish]

You know they're wearing dresses and carrying fire axes, right?  If not for the beards, they'd be made fun of!

Making fun of a man carrying an axe seems ill advised. Also, I am puzzled as to where you see dresses. I see pants and aprons.