U.S. Troops Question Military No-Beard Rules in Afghanistan
The American clean-shaven look is a drawback in a land where facial hair is seen as a sign of manhood
Reader Comments
To the one who said: "Who Cares?"
Apparently you don't, but I sure as hell do. When it comes down to rules with no real reasoning and something that can build rapport and help us gain confidence from the very people we are liberating..
Yeah, really, who cares? I personally do. The Army could save so much money by cutting out ridiculous rules during war time. Teach discipline when the soldiers are not deployed, but if a soldier can't be trusted to make their own decisions during a war time - even for something as simple as a beard - how are you feeling comfortable with sending them on missions and carrying a gun?
Common sense, America.
Useless
That's the only word i can think of when i see the rules and regulations passed by senior officers and non-commissioned officers. The real problem is when they were junior they never had to fight a real war. Yes i said it, a real war. I dare you to challenge me on this. You bring up the First Persian Gulf War? The Air Force handled that, and 100 hours on the ground doesn't count. Then there is Somalia, again a small percentage of the military was involved with that. Oh wait Kosovo? again not impressed.
So now what do we have? A bunch of wannabe politicians who want to quarterback from a recliner when they have NEVER experienced a real war or truly been in the fight. I stress that staying on the FOB and calling the shots is not in the fight. The seniors spent over a decade of buffing boots, pressing uniforms, and had no combat experience. Spare me the garbage blanket statement of polishing boots, and pressing cammies bring discipline. Training and experience will give you that discipline.
I sincerely hope all the useless leadership retires to make a more efficient military.
Change is needed
The no beard rule made sense in the cold war, when chemical attack was a constant possibility, and it can help create an image while in garrison. But in Afghanistan, where a beard helps make friends with the locals, it makes more sense to let soldiers grow beard as they see fit, even if they are required to keep them neat. The idea is to win their hearts and minds and if they are more trusting of bearded soldiers then the soldiers should be able have beards. If this trust isn't established then we can expect the violence to continue, as the soldiers will be viewed as "them" instead of as friends.
If useless concepts such as this continue to be used this small conflict could easily be prolonged into a new Vietnam.
The Army Failing It's Soldiers Saftey Mutiple Steps At A Time
1-508 PIR 4BCT 82nd ABN DIV
Deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as the TTF (Tactical Task Force) From 19Jan2007 to 07APR 2008.
1)You say it's for hygiene. So 40 plus days out on mission, shaving opening are pores and bleeding from cutting ourselves, every time we shave in 40 degree weather. Not smart so now we have open wounds on our face and opened up our pores for environmental hazards.
2)You say soldier discipline. Your right if we grow beards will just lose control and there will be anarchy. Keep those hair cuts high and tight and have a clean shave men. This is a volunteer Army now. There isn't a DRAFT going on. It's not Vietnam.
3)A good seal on a Gas Mask. Well I have you know, majority of are Battalion gas masks never went with us on any mission. My gas mask sat at the bottom of my duffel bag all deployment.
Big Army you should be disgraced of yourselves putting us thru a dog and pony show at WAR.
The three reasons Big Army stated. What an Abortion .
Losing more soldiers to deaths because the Army won't concentrate on the mission.
Funny thing is, all the young soldiers want to do is concentrate on the MISSION. We are disappointed in You Big Army.
THIS IS A N E-5 BOARD QUESTION
What survival concept does each letter in the word SURVIVAL stand for?
S- Size up the situation
U- Use all your senses
R- Remember where you are
V- Vanquish fear and panic
I- Improvise
V-Value living
A- Act like the natives
L- Live by your wits, but for now learn basic skills
Act Like The Natives What A Good Concept!
Warriors running the military???????
I think its fairly obvious to anyone that was over there.. In the upper ranks we have too few warriors and too many politicians..I couldnt believe that after serving a year in Iraq the incoming command was more concerned about our uniforms being pretty over practical... We were issued cold weather gear for the very cold winter in the desert and then told we were not authorized to wear it.. either its all the ECWS or none of it..Too many SGT Majors and a top heavy command leads to this stupidity.. 202nd MI BAT immediately comes to mind...Does anyone else remember American soldiers and marines coming in from mission and being turned away from chow because they didnt pass the inspection at the door..because one command put out a ruling and expected all the commands to follow it...I cant remember how many times the salute vs. dont salute ruling was passed around..Like fighting everyday wasnt hard enough,that when you come in you have to play politics with the Commands that do nothing but supposedly support you..
garrison mentality
-shaving
-boot blousing
-sleeves rolled all the way down
-vehicle armor that keeps you away from the enemy as much as it keeps the enemy away from you
-body armor that does the same thing
When we let politicians, beaurocrats and desk bound tyrants run our military instead of the warriors we only add to the list of obsticals our troops must overcome to achieve victory.
Beards
It's funny the response from senior leaders is always the same on the subject of relaxed grooming standards. Good Order and Discipline.....They got on the plane and showed up for the war, wish I could say that for the rest of America.....Gas Masks fit properly....great in the Gas Chamber, not so much in the mountains of Trashghanistan or Baghdad........I say whatever wins the fight!
Beards
I am completely against any female soldier wanting to grow a beard. I mean, come on!
who cares?
i think it doesnot matter whether they wear beard or not,it matters what those soldiers' purpose are.i think if they do it for their manhood,then i think they should care more about their own life.haha.however,it looks skanky if the soldiers have messy beards.i mean,u have to take care of your beard though.and if some have beards and some don't,it will look bad too.
Past Presidents wore beards
Abe Lincoln and President Grant who was also the top general in the civil war both wore beards, as did many other Presidents and generals. Even Moses who was also a warrior wore a long beard. They allow stupid tattoos which do nothing for anyone, so why can't they wear beards? I was in the Gulf War in 90-91, and many of us didn't shave for days. A clean shaven face can be seen much better by moonlight by the enemy then can a face with a days old beard. I doubt our stuck up Harvard grad's who are now "Bookworm" generals care to hear this. Where are the true leaders anymore? Most true leaders are too independent thinking to allow themselves to be surrounded by "Nonsense" for four years. Education is good, but todays education is far from what it was orginally intended to be. They do more "Brain washing" in todays colleges then they do training new leaders. We should learn from our enemies. They may be right about some things at least....hey? When was the last time a college President had a beard? Food for thought? They are all homogenized plain Janes who run our colleges and country. We need a Moses for sure and I hope he comes quick before we all sink in a "Red Sea" of debt!!!
