Soldiers with skin conditions like razor bumps will no longer be granted permanent medical waivers that allow them to grow beards and could be kicked out of the Army if they are not clean shaven.
“This update reinforces our culture that fosters discipline — and discipline equals readiness,” Michael R. Weimer, the sergeant major of the Army, said in the statement
Threatening to kick out 40,000 people doesn’t equal readiness.
A 2021 study in the journal Military Medicine said that grooming techniques and topical medications could be effective in treating mild-to-moderate cases of pseudofolliculitis barbae, but more severe cases responded best to laser therapy. Long-term shaving exemptions “may be needed for treatment-resistant cases,” the study said.
I saw many cases first-hand that did not resolve with topical treatments and would have led to scarring unless a permanent waiver was granted. Laser treatment is a terrible compromise on this issue - would you permanently alter yourself to conform to the standards or would you say “Fuck that” and get out when your contract ends?
With how bad the military as a whole is hurting for people, I’m surprised they’re threatening more bullshit like this.
Whole lot easier to use the military for violent racism when there’s less brown people in it.
This is exactly why they’re doing it, thin out the soldiers who stand a chance of saying no to questionable orders.
