Apr 11
28
I've been looking at some photographs of civil war-era soldiers and I've noticed that many of them sported some kind of facial hair. I've also noticed that many senior officers of WWI had mustaches or beards or sideburns.
When did the US govt institute that soldiers must be clean-shaven? And why?
Thank you.
-jg
*flips through the answers* wow…
Its primary purpose is to create a seal in a gas mask, otherwise it will render it ineffective. no, we do not have to be entirely clean shaven. Military regulation authorizes men to have a mustache that does not pass the sides of the lips, and is not faddish. aside from the mustache area if the servicemember decides to have one, the rest of his face must be clean shaven.
*Laughs* I asked my recruiter this quesiton 30 years ago and heres the answer I was given 3 decades ago:
1)All military organizations want everyone to be identical- this helps with forming the team spirit mentality. look at Spartas "300". Notice they don't mention the other 700 guys- because they're not Spartains!
2)A gas mask in the army won't seal with a beard. no seal= dead from a gas or nuke attack.
3)In the navy, a beard is a good way to have your face burned off in case of a fire- this is especially true down in the Submarines and ships engine rooms.
4)Air Force needs to seal tight to deliver oxygen to the flight crews in case of emergency- same thing for the Coast Guard when the ship rolls over. (Yes, the CG's cruisers that are designed for very rough water are designed to literally roll upside down and still operate)
5)The Marines *Grins at the thought of my little brother* sound better and look better with a gas mask on. I didn't say that,,,,I should have just said my little brother looks and sounds better.
Good Luck
http://www.google.com/search?q=history+o…
Most of it is because of cultural standards in the US. each branch has different standards and sometimes are able to grow facial hair. They can grow mustaches but have to be a certain length and width.
Mustaches and sideburns up to certain lengths and styles are allowed in all the services. The no beard rule is to ensure a secure fit for gas masks and other protective equipment. Minor sideburns and mustaches don't effect the seal.
its so gas masks will form a perfect seal to ur skin and it looks more uniform if everyone looks the same… the reason u see the old pics of soldiers with facial hair is because they probably just got out of combat and didnt have a chance to shave yet
The primary reason is for a uniform look. a small moustache isn't going to get in the way of a face mask and in fact some navies may still even allow a moustache.
We just keep gettin' more and more civilized. And facial hair can effect gas mask use.
it teaches discipline.
So that we can tell the good guys from the stinking taliban.