In a land founded on freedom of religion...

[Greg_Cornish]

I say let em keep em.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/15/us.sik ... index.html

[Skeeterman]

Army is right take it off its a safety hazard you can't wear safety gear with a beard and a blanket on their head.If you get in a bio or chemical were you have to put a mask on you will not get a tight seal around your face with a beard so you mite breath in the chemicals that mite be deadly.The helmet how will that protect the head from flying debri when it a foot off thier head from the blanket.Yep they need to take it off.

[Bob Simard]

= identical or consistent

ain't rocket science.

There's a reason why at MCRD, once you put your feet in the yellow footprints, you're marched in and have you head shaved, then put all - ALL - your personal belongings in a box and seal it shut, then are issued identical clothing and hygene gear...

to loose your individuality, and become part of the group.

Fairness? Rights? You have none - and are not governed by the same laws (Bill of Rights???) as the population at large.

This kind of stuff is ridiculas. What next? Women in combat??????

Oh yeah...... I HOPE my son isn't wounded and requiring the 115 pound female trooper next to him to carry him back out of the line of fire.

[getalife]

Sorry, it aint going to happen! Bob is right. Marines are still expected to shave every day in the field, even in hostile environments. In my unit (1st Recon Bn) ANY facial hair was frowned upon. If the Army gives in to these guys I will loose all respect for that organization. The Marines would never allow that!

[Andy Lippert]

Getalife, you've never heard of relaxed regs? BN level 0321's aren't typically allowed relaxed regs, but Force and MSOB operators typically have no regs, especially in the field. This is an exception, for sure, and is typically frowned upon by 99% of the "other" Marine Corps...but it's definitely a common practice, allowed for specific reasons.

This case, however, is a seperate issue, and these idiots need to fit in like the rest. Unless you're Army SF, CAG, or some other Special Forces unit, theres no reason why you should have longer hair or be allowed to wear a beard. IMO.

The degredation of the military is the first step in overthrowing a governent. While these individuals may not be the ones trying to overthrow our government, if you start allowing this that and the other thing, it's a slippery slope that slowly allows EVERYTHING.

Andy Lippert

[Dan McKenzie]

When I entered the Navy beards and moustaches were allowed, Reagan changed that pretty quickly in his bid to clean up our military forces. The rules are pretty clear about dress code and conduct, you would have known that prior to joining. A persons individual faith has zero to do with having to follow the rules layed out for all enlisted and officer personnel. Shave and a haircut is the order of the day.

[Greg_Cornish]

My family starting with James Deacon Cornish came to America in 1625 because he had 3 choices. Changes religion, be hung by the neck or move to America. He came here for religious freedom. His ancestors fought for that right and other freedoms in the revolutionary war. They had long hair and beards.

You guys are so willing to give up your freedom.

Most people's priorities are:

1. God
2. Family
3. Country

In that order.

Let them wear what their religion dictates.

[Dan McKenzie]

Well thats a ways back for sure. However might I remind you while this search for religous freedom ensued, the use of a cusrse word could land you in the stocks and a good flogging. The pious life was rife with persecutions without merrit, hangings without evidence or due process. Hair or the length of it is absolutely about freedom, but in order to achieve this an orderly and well trained military is necessary for the defense of our nation, there is little room for personal freedom once you've given your life to Uncle Sam for the required length of service.

[Greg_Cornish]

Well thats a ways back for sure. However might I remind you while this search for religous freedom ensued, the use of a cusrse word could land you in the stocks and a good flogging. The pious life was rife with persecutions without merit, hangings without evidence or due process.

Republicans? Wow I didn't think they were around yet!

[Dan McKenzie]

[Rod Martin]

*NM*

[getalife]

Andy, I said "expected" to shave, I did not say that we did. When I was in the desert I went 45 days without shaving, showering, OR brushing my teeth. At that time I had a 1st SGT who had just come from MSG duty and it just KILLED him that we were not perfectly groomed. We had "relaxed" grooming standards depending on the situation and/or mission, the battalion also had a "long hair" platoon. I, personally, dont like hair! I always had a "screaming" high-and-tight and have never had facial hair. Having said all that, Marines are Marines, and if we had exposure to other units we were expected to meet the Corps grooming standards.

[Dan McKenzie]

No Democratic or Republican existed in those days. Just religous zealots who persecuted non-believers. Ha ha nothing has changed in the past 400 years.