Grooming Standards (Facial hair) Argumentative
AR 670-1 in Regards to Grooming Standards (Facial Hair)
What is so unprofessional about a beard, a Fu Man Chu, or even a goatee? AR 670-1 states that personnel in the Army are only allowed to grow a mustache, to a certain extent. However, there are many styles of facial hair that could be observed as being professional, given that they are allowed to be grown to a certain length, which should be dictated by a revision in the regulation. The idea may come off as preposterous or even demeaning to the outlook of the professionals that stand in our ranks. However, it may be a more appropriate decision than you think.
To begin this argument, a person would need to understand what the regulation states. According to AR 670-1, the following excerpt states the policy on facial hair in the Army:
“Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted. If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth, or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized.”
Now there are many reasons behind the establishment of this policy. One could say it is for uniformity in a military setting, which is understandable in regards to being “an Army of Professionals”, providing the people we protect with a sense of trust knowing that Service Members (SM) maintain a professional appearance. One could also say that this is for wartime efforts in regard to donning a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) mask, which could also be included as being professional, especially to Host Nation (HN) or Local Nationals (LN). These are great alternative viewpoints and very justifiable means as to why the policy was/is implemented today.
To
What is so unprofessional about a beard, a Fu Man Chu, or even a goatee? AR 670-1 states that personnel in the Army are only allowed to grow a mustache, to a certain extent. However, there are many styles of facial hair that could be observed as being professional, given that they are allowed to be grown to a certain length, which should be dictated by a revision in the regulation. The idea may come off as preposterous or even demeaning to the outlook of the professionals that stand in our ranks. However, it may be a more appropriate decision than you think.
To begin this argument, a person would need to understand what the regulation states. According to AR 670-1, the following excerpt states the policy on facial hair in the Army:
“Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted. If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth, or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized.”
Now there are many reasons behind the establishment of this policy. One could say it is for uniformity in a military setting, which is understandable in regards to being “an Army of Professionals”, providing the people we protect with a sense of trust knowing that Service Members (SM) maintain a professional appearance. One could also say that this is for wartime efforts in regard to donning a Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) mask, which could also be included as being professional, especially to Host Nation (HN) or Local Nationals (LN). These are great alternative viewpoints and very justifiable means as to why the policy was/is implemented today.
To