Why do soldiers have to shave?

factormax said:
I have little doubt that this is to instill discipline.

I once heard it said that "discipline is only necessary where something stands to be lost through its absence". And nowhere is more to be lost than in the field of warfare - namely, life itself.

I have not served in the forces myself, but I understand that discipline there extends far beyond personal appearance - to uniform, firearms maintenance, an orderly bunk; to all areas of service life, in fact.
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No one charges a machine-gun nest because they want to.
 
Simply Put..Its All Part of the Ruling Class Plutonic Bullshit..They Just Call it Capitalism these Days..Kids to School at 5 to be Disciplined & Brainwashed for the Capitalist Mode of Production..School Uniform..Conformity..University State Sanctioned Courses & Corrupt Western Scientific Methods..o_O

The Civilian Workforce are Just a Number & Cannon Fodder for the Ruling Elite..From the Cradle to the Grave..:D:D

Billy
 
Fergiebilly said:
Simply Put..Its All Part of the Ruling Class Plutonic Bullshit..They Just Call it Capitalism these Days..Kids to School at 5 to be Disciplined & Brainwashed for the Capitalist Mode of Production..School Uniform..Conformity..University State Sanctioned Courses & Corrupt Western Scientific Methods..o_O

The Civilian Workforce are Just a Number & Cannon Fodder for the Ruling Elite..From the Cradle to the Grave..:D:D

Billy
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So what else is new?
 
factormax said:
I have little doubt that this is to instill discipline.

I once heard it said that "discipline is only necessary where something stands to be lost through its absence". And nowhere is more to be lost than in the field of warfare - namely, life itself.

I have not served in the forces myself, but I understand that discipline there extends far beyond personal appearance - to uniform, firearms maintenance, an orderly bunk; to all areas of service life, in fact.
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This. In "modern" times, being clean shaven has been/was seen as a must. Military rules often are just civil rules made... "compulsory".

I served.... when military service was... compulsory....:rolleyes:
 
I am fiercely proud of my service career because it made me the man I am.

I am never late
I always have clean shoes
My shirts and trousers are always pressed
and I have never stabbed a work colleague in the back - something I see all too often in the workplace.

Discipline and respect are sadly lacking from the modern world.

A perfect example of discipline and respect that is paramount in the Services was the time when I was duty NCO and a group of 8 slightly tipsy Royal Marines decided they would do naked drill. I was called out and I marched them to their barracks without a word of complaint. I was the NCO, they did as they were told and their drill was excellent.
 
David68 said:
I am fiercely proud of my service career because it made me the man I am.

I am never late
I always have clean shoes
My shirts and trousers are always pressed
and I have never stabbed a work colleague in the back - something I see all too often in the workplace.

Discipline and respect are sadly lacking from the modern world.

A perfect example of discipline and respect that is paramount in the Services was the time when I was duty NCO and a group of 8 slightly tipsy Royal Marines decided they would do naked drill. I was called out and I marched them to their barracks without a word of complaint. I was the NCO, they did as they were told and their drill was excellent.
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My compliments, and I, too. Every day I am reminded of the motto at West Point: Duty, Honour, Country.
 
Yes, respirator fit and as a guard against infestation - so short hair too.

Pioneer Sergeants may wear a full set (by tradition) but must shave if they go the war. I don't know what the current exceptions are for Sikhs.

So also the Navy may be required to shave in war although they would generally be able to rely on the ships air filtration - nevertheless in extremis the respirator is the final defence against nuclear, biological and chemical contamination.
 
My father acquired a skin infection whilst stationed in Germany in the 1970's. The MO was required to formally sign him off from shaving for a week otherwise he'd have almost certainly been on a charge.

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When I was serving, black guys were not allowed to miss a day of shaving even though they suffered greatly from in-grown hairs. You were required to shave every day whether you needed to or not. That was the regulation, so you followed it.
 
I did follow that when I was a soldier too, but I am not anymore. So, yeah.. I am questioning the reason behind it.
 
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Pete said:
Queen's Regulations Ch 5, Part 9, Para 5.366

"Hair:
Males. The hair of the head is to be kept well cut and trimmed, except where authority has been granted otherwise on religious grounds; style and colour (if not natural) is not to be of an exaggerated nature. If a moustache is worn, it is to be trimmed and not below the line of the lower lip. Beards and whiskers are only to be worn with authority, which will usually be granted only on medical or religious grounds, or where tradition permits. The appearance of the beard and whiskers is to be neat and tidy."
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QRs for the RAF also state thus:

For occupational or operational reasons, where a hazard clearly exists, personnel authorised to wear beards on religious or medical grounds may be ordered to modify or remove facial hair to such an extent as to enable the correct wearing of respirator or breathing apparatus. However, during routine NBC training or Stn exercises the beard may remain unshaven.
 
What ever the reason, they should not be forced to shave until they have grown sufficient bristle. This varys for person to person.

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