U.S. Troops Question Military No-Beard Rules in Afghanistan

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I'm getting deployed in November to FOB Wazi Khwa... no one i have asked at multiple bases has heard of this base(its small and generally an army base :P but i was told i might get a "waiver" for facial hair. Does anyone know how i can figure out if i do get to go without shaving or what? does anyone know bout this base and if so, could i be enlightened on what to expect? from what i know i can talk about, they train afgan border patrol there. thank you

Air Force 11:28AM August 29, 2011

Throughout history, men have spent more time bearded than not. I argue that beards are more military tradition than clean-shaven faces are.
Do you not think Ulysses S. Grant was respected? Abraham Lincoln?
Clean-shaven is more a societal fashion choice than anything practical.
The Brits even required their boys to have a mustache, and a huge one at that. It was forbidden to shave the upper lip at all. That created a cameraderie that flew right in the face of "order and discipline."
It's absurd to think that a beard signals a lack of discipline. Just as a soldier maintains the hair on his head, he can also maintain the hair on his face in a disciplined manner.

Joe of CA 1:54PM February 02, 2011

I defiantly believe the national Guard and Reserve should be able to have beards on their weekend drills. That is the most stupidest thing in the world to me that some civilian has to shave his beard off for two days a month to pull a weekend drill then grow it back each month. There is no logical reason in the world why the military needs you to shave your beard off for a weekend drill. Maybe once in awhile require you to shave it off once a year, if they are planning to do chemical and biological warfare training where you might need to ware a gas mask. If they would lift that ban, they would get a lot more qualified recruits in the National guard and Reserve.

Collen of IL 9:56AM January 08, 2011

The military has some stupid rules they should really think about getting rid of. A lot of these rules where made up in the forty’s and need reviewed and revised. Times have changed and the military needs to improve their rules. Here’s some examples of rules that need to be changed. Soldiers should be allowed to put their hands in their pockets, why because it’s cold in the winter. I see soldiers standing around freezing outside and they wont put their hands in their pockets because of regulation. How stupid is this? Your fingers are frozen how the hell can you shoot a rifle accurately? Some might say ware gloves, my answer to that would be. It takes a lot more time to pull gloves of to shoot a rifle than it dose to pull your hands from your pocket. Number two, Hats off in the buildings another idiotic rule, who gives a rats ass if you ware a hat in a building or not? A gas mask will not to seal well if you have a beard, so the military has a point with that. A solution to this is allow beards everywhere else except places where you might need a gas mask.
Places the military should allow beards:
1. States side Duty’s (can be any field)
2. Military schools (excluding basic training)
3. Peace time situations
4. Well established over sea’s bases and forts (except rapid deployment forces)
5. Navy ships
6. Military Recruiting personal
7. Administrative Occupations
8. Military instructors
9. Hospitals
10. Band (Musical)
11. Supply and warehouse personal
12. Chaplains
13. Doctors
14. Lawyers
15. Mechanics/ Electricians at well developed bases or forts (excluding field combat war mechanics)
16. Medical personal (lab, male nurse, etc) (excluding combat medics)
17. PR personal
This list could be improved on, but it’s a start.
You should be able to have a beard anywhere there is not a direct threat of biological warfare. I spent twenty years in the military and I have been to war. Out of those twenty year we where never once attacked with Biological warfare. I have not heard any reports from the Gulf war, or Afghanistan war that support any evidence that any American troop has ever been directly attacked by biological warfare from any foreign military to date.

Colleen of IL 9:33AM January 08, 2011

I thought one of the reasons was clean shaven is American for clean and respect as well as for not being jerked around by your beard in an attack! Dont know about face mask but makes sense to me- Personally unless they need it to protect themselves from elements- I agree usually they look dirty with a beard or untrustworthy!

Shelby Norris of AR 4:44PM December 20, 2010

The beard is one of the last things senior officials should be thinking about, its not going to stop soldiers from doing what they need to do, and the thing about the seal on the gas mask is BS!
US ARMY SSG 19 DElta Cavalry Scout.

Marquise Harris of CA 1:19PM June 28, 2010

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.

AFITZ of NC 10:44PM August 28, 2009

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.

Joe of CA 9:26PM June 21, 2009

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.

Garrett 7:19PM February 05, 2009

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!