Where can I get a shaving waiver?

A shaving waiver must come from a licensed physician. Online doctors who provide telemedicine services can provide shaving excuse letters for their patients who meet the conditions. Virtual physicians see their patients through a video visit. Then they digitally complete and sign forms required by employers.

How do I get a shaving waiver?

A doctor, dermatologist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant must certify that the soldier suffers from a medical condition requiring them to grow their facial hair. A neatly trimmed beard shorter than a one-quarter inch may then be allowed. Wondering if a military shaving waiver is right for you?

What is a shaving waiver?

Oct 14, 2021. The Air Force allows airmen with pseudofolliculitis barbae, a condition causing razor bumps and painful ingrown beard hairs that commonly affects black men, to ask for a five-year medical shaving waiver. (

How long does a shaving waiver last?

For example, in June 2020, the Air Force surgeon general extended shaving waivers so that they are valid for up to five years.

Do airmen have to shave?

Another change to facial hair standards lets airmen with shaving waivers, known as profiles, shave or trim their hair as necessary “to present a neat, clean, professional image.” The new standards also remove a line requiring commanders and supervisors to “monitor progress in treatment to control these waivers.”

SHAVING WAIVER IN THE AIR FORCE

Which military branch allows beards?

The only men lucky enough to be allowed beards now are special operations units such as Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs (as long as they are in Afghanistan at least).

Will the U.S. military ever allow beards?

Military personnel are allowed to grow a beard or moustache only during periods when they are out of uniform. The beard must be "correctly trimmed", and provisions are stated for a possible ban of beards by the military authorities to ensure compatibility with certain equipment.

Do I have to show my shaving waiver?

The shaving waiver shows employers and supervisors of organizations that it would be unhealthy for a man to shave. A shaving waiver must be necessary to prove that an individual should not have to shave for medical reasons. For some men, facial shaving causes: Ingrown hairs (folliculitis)

What is the VA rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae?

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae disability has been assigned a noncompensable rating since September 9, 2009, and a 30 percent disability rating since April 6, 2010.

How do I get a military shaving profile?

Any male Soldier determined to have PFB or ingrown hairs of the beard treated by an Army physician, dermatologist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant may be given an appropriate shaving profile. This beard must be uniform, neatly trimmed, and normally will not exceed one-fourth inch in length.

Can you get a gas mask seal with a beard?

What you need to do is slather the edges of the mask with Vaseline and coat your beard with it, too. It should be a nasty amount of goo. It won't be pleasant, but it will be a lot faster than shaving and a lot less painful than sucking up CS gas.

What is it called when you cant shave?

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is a persistent irritation caused by shaving. It was first described in 1956. Pseudofolliculitis barbae. Other names. Barber's itch, folliculitis barbae traumatica, razor bumps, scarring pseudofolliculitis of the beard, shave bumps.

Does the Air Force allow facial hair?

Beards are still off-limits — except for medical or religious purposes — because they may get in the way of necessary flight equipment and masks that protect against chemical, biological or radiological attacks, according to the Air Force.

Why is facial hair not allowed in the military?

Military history buffs know that our military has had an on-again, off-again love affair with facial hair. The invention of chemical weapons ended the affair for good. Beards were prohibited across all branches for two reasons: Hygiene and the need for a good seal while wearing a gas mask.

Is a shaving waiver VA disability?

Pseudofolliculitis barbae VA ratings

For many veterans, psuedofolliculitis barbae is not their primary disability. It's likely a secondary condition. Some veterans may have obtained superficial scars during active duty that contribute to the aggravation of their pseudofolliculitis barbae.

Is pseudofolliculitis barbae a disability under the ADA?

(Counts 10 and 14); and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §§ 701 et seq. (Counts 22, 23 and 24). Those eight counts rest on Kennedy's claim that his condition, pseudofolliculitis barbae, is a disability within the meaning of the ADA.

Can I get VA disability for skin conditions?

Veterans returning home with disfiguring scars or serious skin conditions can receive disability compensation. Exposure to chemical or other environmental hazards while on active duty may lead to skin disorders that arise while in the service or after arriving home.

How often do you shave in BMT?

Drill Sergeant Johnson answers that haircuts are given to all recruits every 2 weeks during Basic Combat Training.

Can hair touch ears Air Force?

The Air Force prohibits men from wearing their hair in what it deems to be extreme or fad hairstyles, particularly in such a way that exceeds length or bulk standards or violates safety requirements. Hair cannot touch the ears, and only closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck may touch the collar.

Why can Navy SEALs have beards?

Beards remain, by and large, the distinctive hallmark of special operations forces in Afghanistan. They allow Afghans to distinguish regular U.S. and allied military units from special operations forces, the highly trained teams like the Green Berets and Navy SEALs.

How do you get away with a beard in the army?

But the Army made policy changes in 2017 that made it easier for soldiers to receive religious exemptions to grow out their hair or beards by allowing the soldier's brigade-level commander to approve the request. “The soldier's brigade-level commander will approve a request for a religious accommodation …

How do Marines keep beards?

Marine Corps Beard and Mustache Regulations

A Marine mustache is allowed after recruit training. The rest of the face must be clean-shaven daily. The mustache is only permitted when neatly trimmed and must be contained within vertical lines from the corners of the mouth to the margin area of the upper lip.

Can you have a beard in the Army 2021?

Religious beards must be shorter than two inches, or soldiers must roll or tie them to under two inches to comply with regulations. Soldiers with religious accommodations can grow their mustaches to connect with their beards, but they must trim or groom mustaches to keep them above upper lip lines.

Why do veterans grow beards?

Why Do Veterans Grow a Beard? Simply put, because they can! So many regulations while serving prevented you from doing so. No Handlebar mustaches, no long sideburns, and especially, no hair on your chin.

Can retired military wear uniform with beard?

Grooming standards are obviously not enforced when a veteran wears any of the uniforms, but it is common courtesy to wear the uniform as if you were still in the military conforming to all the hair, facial hair, finger nail, and other grooming standards of the military branch you represent.