Military OKs dreadlocks and cornrow hairstyles

COL Goldstein (CH) had to demonstrate that he could put on a gas mask in eight seconds, like the other soldiers, and he did so without a problem.

COL Goldstein has said "The mask issue is a bogus issue". He speculats that the larger reason for the rule is the military’s desire for uniformity in appearance.

No disrespect to COL Goldstein, a sample size of one doesn't prove anything and putting on a gas mask is different from having a gas mask with a proper seal.
 
No disrespect to COL Goldstein, a sample size of one doesn't prove anything and putting on a gas mask is different from having a gas mask with a proper seal.

Last time I did NBC training I had to done a gas mask and prove I had a seal to get a GO/NO GO and I find it hard to believe they'd give COL Goldstein a GO for just donning the mask in 8 seconds.

Also provided up till the first Persian Gulf war the total size of army personnel with a beard was 2.
 
There are still folks serving today (though not many) who started their careers while services allowed beards.

Beards look cool and they make your more powerful.

And yes, there are folks in the Special Operations community who wear them... and who I'm guessing are more likely to be gased than 50,000 troops at Ft. Hood.

It's pretty clear that beards were banned because a panzy general or admiral couldn't grow one and "If I can't grow one, no one can."

That, or retirees lobbied for it, so when they retired, and grew that first beard, they would be distinguished.
 
Last time I did NBC training I had to done a gas mask and prove I had a seal to get a GO/NO GO and I find it hard to believe they'd give COL Goldstein a GO for just donning the mask in 8 seconds.

Also provided up till the first Persian Gulf war the total size of army personnel with a beard was 2.

The statement "COL Goldstein (CH) had to demonstrate that he could put on a gas mask in eight seconds" does not provide sufficient detail to make a determination if it included a seal test. There is a machine to test if a mask achieve a proper seal or not. It is what it is as more than likely the manual method of testing the seal (i.e. blocking the air inlet and drawing breath) probably works, but don't want to risk it if I am in a situation where I need a properly sealing mask to save my life.
 
The statement "COL Goldstein (CH) had to demonstrate that he could put on a gas mask in eight seconds" does not provide sufficient detail to make a determination if it included a seal test. There is a machine to test if a mask achieve a proper seal or not. It is what it is as more than likely the manual method of testing the seal (i.e. blocking the air inlet and drawing breath) probably works, but don't want to risk it if I am in a situation where I need a properly sealing mask to save my life.

While not to make assumptions, but COL Goldstein deployed in the first Persian Gulf war. As being only one of two individuals in the army at that time with a beard and knowing how the system works, I would find it hard to believe that his senior leadership would allow him to deploy with just "putting on a gas mask in eight seconds" as the standard, but we an quibble about the quote.

Oh, and Special forces don't seem to be too worried about a properly sealing mask.

Let's be real honest a promask and MOPP gear don't all you to survive a chemical attack, they prolong your ability to fight the battle.
 
While not to make assumptions, but COL Goldstein deployed in the first Persian Gulf war. As being only one of two individuals in the army at that time with a beard and knowing how the system works, I would find it hard to believe that his senior leadership would allow him to deploy with just "putting on a gas mask in eight seconds" as the standard, but we an quibble about the quote.

Oh, and Special forces don't seem to be too worried about a properly sealing mask.

Let's be real honest a promask and MOPP gear don't all you to survive a chemical attack, they prolong your ability to fight the battle.

You are making assumptions.

If I may restate my position, there is not enough information for me to accept a position that COL (CH) Goldstein is an example to support soldiers having beards.

I believe Specials Forces growing beards was a decision based on that tactical situation. Either they want to be different or growing beards gave them more creditability to locals in the region (I don't think SF folks in Iraq grew beards) and very low or no risk of chemical attack. Not sure if the decision would have been the same if there was high threat of chemical attack.
 
I believe Specials Forces growing beards was a decision based on that tactical situation. Either they want to be different or growing beards gave them more creditability to locals in the region (I don't think SF folks in Iraq grew beards) and very low or no risk of chemical attack. Not sure if the decision would have been the same if there was high threat of chemical attack.

The guys I met at Ft. Bragg or in Little Creek or San Diego had beards.

Also, very little chance of chemical attacks on bases in the U.S. or on ships (or on planes).
 
There are still folks serving today (though not many) who started their careers while services allowed beards.

Beards look cool and they make your more powerful.

And yes, there are folks in the Special Operations community who wear them... and who I'm guessing are more likely to be gased than 50,000 troops at Ft. Hood.

It's pretty clear that beards were banned because a panzy general or admiral couldn't grow one and "If I can't grow one, no one can."

That, or retirees lobbied for it, so when they retired, and grew that first beard, they would be distinguished.

Ha, if I get high enough in the service beards are coming back....there's no reason not to have them since we now have SCBA's with positive ventilation.
 
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