Don't Ask, Don't Shave
Aug 18, 2010 at 9:30AM | By Riss The U.S. Special Forces, aka Green Berets, are a special operations force of the U.S. Army tasked with six primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue and counter-terrorism. The first two emphasize language, cultural, and training skills in working with foreign troops.
So it comes as sad news to BaB, that after almost a decade of growing long beards to emphasize deep respect for Afghanistan's bearded culture, many of our elite have been ordered to shave their beards. Seems veteran ops are complaining that they are not taken seriously by local leaders due to their facial fuzz, and they need these pillars of the community to trust them in order to gain intelligence into another bearded force - the Taliban.
Those in charge have stated clearly that they want "a professional looking" soldier in the field. Do those sporting beards really have the stigma of being uncouth amateurs incapable of serving our country? Wouldn't the beard also offer some sort of natural camouflage to our troops, as I'd assume it is pretty easy to tell who the American is when all, but two guys have beards?
Commanders report that beards are "sending the wrong message" to the communities overseas, but that said, special ops living in or near villages can keep their beards, "but are encouraged to adopt the traditional Afghan pokol cap instead of a billed cap."
*sigh*
What do you think? Should special ops be forced to shave? Does it send the wrong message? Ever have a personal experience at work where you were asked to run to a razor? Professionalism questioned?
Afghanistan, Green Berets, Shaving, Taliban, U.S. Special Forces, beards | in Bearding, beard
Reader Comments (6)
The Army needs to chill out and realize that professionalism and discipline are not reflected by an individuals field uniform. Who cares if I want to wear a tan pack when the Army wears ACU? Why must my pants be bloused no lower than the 2nd eyelet? HOW MUCH COMBAT POWER IS IN THE 3RD EYELET!!!??? Trivial uniform regulations and nit-picking have no place in a field military or a combat unit, use what works, use what makes you comfortable and improves your morale as long as it is not a gross disregard for your own safety or the safety of others. CSM's should stay on base, locked in their rooms, and let out only to turn an awards formation over to the BC.
As long as they can kill people, what difference does it make?
Special Forces have been doing it since desert storm, its a from of camouflage. Thier suppose to blend in its their job they blend in with their surrondings. No breads no tattos who cares its war not a dinner party!!!
This is the short sightedness of traditional big green vs. special forces. Special forces have always needed to "go native" so to speak in order to accomplish their mission. Reminds me of the scene in The Dirty Dozen where the Maj. allows the men to go unshaven and the MP Sgt. says that they have more time to work. The mission should come first. The mission of SF is to adapt to the culture, be a force multiplier and give them the tools to effectively do their job. If that means shaving your head and painting your face purple, you should be allowed to do it.
it seems that the only folks that care, are the people that sit back and watch these guys do there killing for them. These soldiers are the best of the best so let them do their jobs
These teams are operating in afganistan. They are only blending into to the community, its smart.