Army (Australian) Retention and Job Satisfaction

Introduction
Many "barracks attorneys" at the Section lunch excursion and on innumerable social
occasions for "generations" of Army Soldiers have debated whether or not it is proper protocol to
shave before formal events. A common topic of discussion amongst soldiers is whether or not the
pre-morning practice of showering and shaving is necessary or whether it is just another attempt
to "establish" discipline. The concept of Soldiers displaying well-groomed facial hair, much
alone a full-grown beard, has long been met with disapproval by Army authorities, who have
expressed their concerns publicly. The G-1 Uniform Policy, Sergeant Major Anthony Moore,
and even Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Dan Daily have all weighed in on the matter,
which has been a heated one amongst Soldiers for quite some time.
Main Body
When you join the military, you immediately become a group member. When you're a
team member, you have to depend on the other team members just as much as they rely on you. If
you're not contributing to the team effort, you're letting down your teammates and the rest of the
fight. Your lack of shaving reflects poorly on the squad and your fellow soldiers. The military
places a strong emphasis on neatness and uniformity. That notion starts to fade when you don't
shave for a while. The practice of shaving as a prophylactic measure in early militaries. They
shaved the heads to stop the lice from spreading and causing an epidemic. "Many military
organizations also demand men to keep clean-shaven faces because facial hair may hinder an air-
tight barrier between the face and breathing," said the American Academy of Dermatology. "Facial
hair can impede a wind seal between the face and breathing."
Some have been accused of bullying employees who have beards. It's unacceptable to give
up on yourself like that," the speaker says. According to a recent report in the dailymail.co.uk,
male attention to personal grooming has risen due to pressure from the media and modern fashions.
Men spend an average of 83 minutes daily on grooming activities such as washing, toning, and
moisturizing their skin, shaving, applying aftershave, and selecting and arranging their clothing.
An increasing number of men are adopting the metrosexual lifestyle, where they place more value
on their outward appearance than is typical for males. These practices are rapidly becoming the
norm among young people nowadays. Men usually keep their beards short or shave their bodies
completely for aesthetic and hygienic reasons.\.
You'll have less chance of developing a bacterial infection and a sweat odor by removing
the extra hair. The article's wording of the amendments is precise, as I would have put it.
Superdrug's Simon Comins once observed, "Once upon a time it was popular for males to seem
rough and ready, appearing as if they've never spent and over a couple of minutes getting ready for
work." However, in today's society, men who care about their appearance, wear excellent clothes,
and smell well are universally admired. In a related vein, I think men's aesthetics greatly influence
the debate about facial hair.
To ensure that its members portray themselves in the best possible light, the military has
rigorous standards regarding grooming, including the requirement that men must shave. There are
a few exceptions to this rule, including those who serve in the Special Forces or who have
mustaches or profiles, but otherwise, all soldiers are expected to be clean-shaven. The military
promotes shaving because it helps troops portray professionalism to the public. Full beards and
mustaches are frowned upon by the army because they give the impression that a service member
does not care about their hygiene. To counter this, the military does not frown upon mustaches so
long as they are well maintained and conform to standards. The military also considers a big beard
and mustache a safety risk
.
For example, there was no shaving policy in the German military, so troops may grow
beards and mustaches if they wanted to. This makes the German troops seem less imposing and
more relaxed. Beards and mustaches, in my view, should be permitted to grow as long and
complete as the individual service member desires. Army life is characterized by discipline and
control, yet like a rebellious adolescent living under his parents' tight restrictions, a soldier may
want a taste of independence. How does it assist a soldier in being ready to defend his nation in an
emergency if regulations are put in place to force them to perform what one individual considers to
be the most professional thing to do? What happens when you're battling an enemy that lasts for
days? What does it say about a soldier's professionalism and discipline if he doesn't shave while
bullets fly over his head? Perhaps not, but a soldier who doesn't shave right after returning from
combat will be seen as undisciplined by the military. By focusing on the soldier's appearance after
the war, the military, in my opinion, is saying that they don't care if the soldier's comrades were
killed during the combat. Yes, I can understand how having facial hair may give specific
individuals a less-than-professional vibe.
Conclusion
The level of male grooming in the modern military has been the subject of much debate,
with the most common argument being that it is necessary to preserve discipline and camaraderie
to get a correct seal on a Soldier's Pro-Mask. Similar to how accommodations are made for
Soldiers with skin issues, religious beliefs should also be considered while making policy
decisions. It's important to note that many SOUs in the military services have more liberal
grooming requirements than the rest of the force. Special Forces villages were heavily pressured
to accept beards to camouflage themselves with the locals. So, how can Special Operators and
shaved-profile Soldiers keep the chemicals out of their Pro-masks?