International In the midst of a military recruitment crisis, Trump admin/Secretary Hegseth are banning shaving waivers for troops with skin irritation/scar issues

[Sunnyvale TP]

Man everyone complaing about shaving, come on. Dudes had no shave chits when I was in the Marines. No big deal as long as the doc said ok and signed the paperwork.

My current job requires you to be clean shaven for use of certain respirators in infectious patient's rooms. Guess what? I still have to shave to follow regulations and to keep myself and other patients safe.

If you don't want to do a job that requires certain things, then look elsewhere. Plenty of jobs in the world don't require a clean shave.

 

[Blayt7hh]

So anyone that can't save should be exempt from duties that require wearing a mask if thats part of their mos/rate. Yes it affects people with curly hair more then others no mater the race.

No as part of the no shaving profiles they can always be ordered to shave it if the need arises. So when you do your once a year gas chamber training then shave. If you deploy somewhere where you might get gassed then shave.

It’s a BS excuse. There’s a reason why religious exemptions haven’t been touched. It’s not that important that people shave all the time and yes Pete really is targeting a specific group.

 

[oldshadow]

Agree the shave chits was getting out of hand in the last 5-10 years.

That said, I don't blame anyone who asked for and recieved one with a little "embellishment" on the severity of their skin condition.

Two weeks into my terminal leave and loving this whole beard thing...and somehow my CPAP seals perfectly on my face still despite the Coast Guard saying for the last 23 years a beard would prevent a proper seal on an SCBA/Respirator/Gas Mask/ect

So have you ever fought fire shipboard. Because I can tell you its a hell of a lot different then the smoke chamber in boot.

But you guys now have a lot better masks and equipment then we did so the mask may seal better.

We had the old OBDs which were shit. My ship got to find out the canisters did in fact have a shelf life, in a real fire no less. I personally found out if you were lucky and a good bit of luck you could get in oily water and not explode your chest off.

 

[AWilder]

in my 6 years the only people i know who had shaving profiles were african american... im sure that's just a coincidence...

 

[DoctorTaco]

If you don't want to do a job that requires certain things, then look elsewhere. Plenty of jobs in the world don't require a clean shave.

I’m not sure turning away potential military personnel because they have a skin condition is in the best interest of our nation. Especially with recruitment numbers lagging

 

[Sunnyvale TP]

I’m not sure turning away potential military personnel because they have a skin condition is in the best interest of our nation. Especially with recruitment numbers lagging

Are they actually turning them away? Or did they fully change the policy on skin conditions for no shave on Dr's orders? We had guys in my same MOS who had no shave chits, they couldn't do respirator work on the aircraft because of mask seal conditions, they just got other work to do. I've been out now for 15 years.

Hegseth is probably an idiot in my opinion anyway.

 

[Jeffy37]

The military wants you clean shaved due to equipment requirements.

They give exceptions in some cases but it effects the ability to perform certain required functions like fire fighting and wearing a gas mask.

You aren't serious? Really? Im just curious now how being clean shaved helps what you brought up

 

[oldshadow]

You aren't serious? Really? Im just curious now how being clean shaved helps what you brought up

You dont get a proper seal on the mask for fire fighting or gas protection. It's especially important in the Navy for firefighting.

 

[Jeffy37]

You dont get a proper seal on the mask for fire fighting or gas protection. It's especially important in the Navy for firefighting.

Okay. Is this true everyone. I honestly don't know. It's weird regardless how that helps.

 

[DoctorTaco]

Are they actually turning them away? Or did they fully change the policy on skin conditions for no shave on Dr's orders? We had guys in my same MOS who had no shave chits, they couldn't do respirator work on the aircraft because of mask seal conditions, they just got other work to do. I've been out now for 15 years.

Hegseth is probably an idiot in my opinion anyway.

I was replying to your idea that if you don’t want to shave, find another gig.

Though this context is helpful- are you suggesting guys who can’t be clean shaven shouldn’t be able to work certain jobs in the military? Because that would be far, far too logical and reasonable for the military brass to sign off on, lol

 

[oldshadow]

Okay. Is this true everyone. I honestly don't know. It's weird regardless how that helps.

Its the same for civilians.

"Fire departments often require clean-shaven policies, and sometimes a clean shave, for firefighters to ensure the effectiveness of their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) masks. Facial hair can create gaps at the mask's sealing surface, allowing smoke and toxic fumes to enter and compromising the firefighter's air supply."

 

[Jeffy37]

I understand. Just seems weird. I don't understand what difference it would make.

 

[oldshadow]

I understand. Just seems weird. I don't understand what difference it would make.

Smoke getting into the mask is a big problem.

Or maybe im not understanding your question.

 

[Sunnyvale TP]

I was replying to your idea that if you don’t want to shave, find another gig.

Though this context is helpful- are you suggesting guys who can’t be clean shaven shouldn’t be able to work certain jobs in the military? Because that would be far, far too logical and reasonable for the military brass to sign off on, lol

I assume there are plenty of jobs in the military that don't require a clean shave for proper equipment use. So your job choices might be slightly limited. I don't think administration military people work with that type of gear normally and probably lots of other jobs.

You can't do my current job in the intensive care unit if you can't shave. But there are other jobs in my field that don't require respirators.

Some jobs you are qualified for, some you aren't. Life ain't fair that way, but it's how it is. They can't let a bearded guy go into a droplet isolation room due to infectious diseases. Patient and worker safety is why.

Now if they turn people away from every job in the military based on no shaving then that's not a good plan.

 

[Jeffy37]

Smoke getting into the mask is a big problem.

Or maybe im not understanding your question.

I don't see how facial hair hurts that? I don't know. Maybe I'm stupid

 

[oldshadow]

I don't see how facial hair hurts that? I don't know. Maybe I'm stupid

The hair prevents a seal with the mask. The rubber on the mask is designed to form a air tight seal with the bare skin of the face. Hair hinders this seal causing smoke to get past the seal.

 

[nonoob]

"Military branches achieved or exceeded their 2025 recruitment goals, with the Army surpassing its target four months early and the Navy reaching its goal early in the fiscal year, demonstrating a significant turnaround from previous years. Overall recruitment numbers saw a substantial increase, building on momentum from late 2024, with leaders crediting a renewed sense of patriotism and shifts in military strategy for the surge in interest among young Americans. "

What about China ?

 

[oldshadow]

What about China ?

Its called MAD for a reason. There will be no limited nuclear war.

By the way in a nuclear war once an aircraft carrier has launched its planes it is expendable. Not that they just give up but it has completed its primary task. We knew this when I was aboard one.

 

[Jeffy37]

Its the same for civilians.

"Fire departments often require clean-shaven policies, and sometimes a clean shave, for firefighters to ensure the effectiveness of their Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) masks. Facial hair can create gaps at the mask's sealing surface, allowing smoke and toxic fumes to enter and compromising the firefighter's air supply."

Crazy. I learn something new everyday.

 

[DoctorTaco]

I assume there are plenty of jobs in the military that don't require a clean shave for proper equipment use. So your job choices might be slightly limited. I don't think administration military people work with that type of gear normally and probably lots of other jobs.

You can't do my current job in the intensive care unit if you can't shave. But there are other jobs in my field that don't require respirators.

Some jobs you are qualified for, some you aren't. Life ain't fair that way, but it's how it is. They can't let a bearded guy go into a droplet isolation room due to infectious diseases. Patient and worker safety is why.

Now if they turn people away from every job in the military based on no shaving then that's not a good plan.

Agree on all fronts