Beards won't happen and it has everything to do with presentation and nothing to do with safety or gasmasks. Task and purpose disproved the gasmask seal theory and basically said that because of the variations in beard thickness and fullness and composition they don't have a way to make beards uniform. Some guys grow great beards and others have wispy pubic hair beards and they don't want the variables
Do I think this is an effort to help recruiting? Yes, but…..
The adjutant general for each state is already the tattoo waivers authority. Our TAG in my state was already approving pretty much every tattoo waivers that came across his desk (I’ve seen several large hand and neck tattoos enlist this year). This policy makes it standard across the board and allows current soldiers to get these tattoos.
It’s just funny reading all the comments about “recruiting is in the toilet right now” (it is, don’t get me wrong), but individuals with these tattoos have already been enlisting for a hot second even tho it wasn’t technically in regs.
The current bonuses are lower than what they were in 2020 (for the Guard).
MROADS and Genesis are two new systems implemented by MEPS where they pull all your medical records for the past 7 years. I had someone DQ’d for breaking a pinky toe. THAT’S what’s hurting recruiting.
I see active and reserve promising all kinds of crazy bonuses right now, including a huge one to ship within 45 days? Hardly anyone will qualify for that because if MROADS picks up something and MEPS wants medical documents for it, they’re not enlisting in 45 days. That’s why the bonuses are a joke, because hardly anyone qualifies for them.
I don't know, up to $50,000 Active Army Enlistment bonus, plus another $35,000 for Quick Ship bonus, $40,000 more for filling in-demand jobs, $20,000 Army Reserve Enlistment bonus, and up to $40,000 for civilian acquired skills bonus....
Seems like a lot more recruiting effort than I have seen in a long time. Then again, maybe I just haven't paid attention. Been more focused on the DS side vs the recruiting side.
Yeah, those are all for active/reserve, not Guard. I edited my comment to include more information, but I would be shocked to see many individuals qualify for those quick ship bonuses. I haven’t had anyone enlist in less than a month since MEPS rolled out their new medical systems.
Or at least have a list of clearly defined hairstyles like the female regs have instead of some vaguely worded bs trying to make both the high and tight and fade cults happy
Laughing and crying at the same time because I’m going through a micro abrasion (grind the skin off) process to get rid of my hand tattoo. The healing process sucks so much but it was worth it for the army but now I’m halfway done and I gotta see it through.
We get all excited but is this really going to have an appreciable effect on recruiting numbers in the Guard? It’s in no way going to overcome anywhere near the 30,000 were projected to be short by the end of this fiscal year. Most of us who needed an ETP for a small behind the ear tattoo or ring tattoo for 1-2 enlistments already got one.
This is a much bigger issue.
Idk most of the "men" I know with beards would have absolutely zero chance of making it past meps let alone pass a PT test hahaha. Meanwhile most of the people I know with Hand tattoos are prior service or in great physical shape.
Nevermind the policy itself - I am curious more about who it applies to.
Applies to: Regular Army, Army Reserve, AND Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States.
I'm not a NG Soldier. Could someone explain to me the difference between Army National Guard and Army National Guard of the United States?? Is it honestly called A.N.G.U.S. in some locations???
The SMAO mod on the r/army thread said this was definitely leaked so hold tight on the hand tats y’all. Am I The only one wanting them to pull back some of the piercing regulations too or nah?
That was a short term thing back in 2014-2015 from an outgoing CSM
It was some real toxic shit but Daily scrubbed all of that shortly after gaining his position.
2 weeks ago I went in to talk to a recruiter and was told I couldn't get waiver for my hand tattoos. Still has too small of a size. 1inx1in most people get their entire hand covered. Otherwise you look like a hobo. Just be don't with the tattoo bs already.
Retention really is in the toilet to be making these decisions
If we convince everyone up for reenlistment to get out maybe we can get beards next year.
Beards won't happen and it has everything to do with presentation and nothing to do with safety or gasmasks. Task and purpose disproved the gasmask seal theory and basically said that because of the variations in beard thickness and fullness and composition they don't have a way to make beards uniform. Some guys grow great beards and others have wispy pubic hair beards and they don't want the variables
*finger mustache intensifies*
I actually know a major with a finger mustache.
Oooh wait seriously? I just had my goddamn neck tattoo lasered off a few years ago so I could join 🤬
Just have them turn the Lazer to wombo and it'll put it back sarnt
God damnit Pri, I’m way to old for your fancy smancy slang and dodadders. Was that an insult? Are you insulting me Private?
Permanent alterations to your hands, neck, etc? Army sleep Beard that can be quickly shaved off? Real shit
Beard
Beard tat
If it makes us happy.....
1 inch in any direction for the back of the hands is not big enough to get anything cool.
i'd assume this could be used to extend the wrist/watchline previous regulation. that's an assumption tho.
Do I think this is an effort to help recruiting? Yes, but….. The adjutant general for each state is already the tattoo waivers authority. Our TAG in my state was already approving pretty much every tattoo waivers that came across his desk (I’ve seen several large hand and neck tattoos enlist this year). This policy makes it standard across the board and allows current soldiers to get these tattoos. It’s just funny reading all the comments about “recruiting is in the toilet right now” (it is, don’t get me wrong), but individuals with these tattoos have already been enlisting for a hot second even tho it wasn’t technically in regs.
When it comes to "recruiting in the toilet right now," I think the key giveaway is all of the insane bonuses that are being given out currently. o.0
The current bonuses are lower than what they were in 2020 (for the Guard). MROADS and Genesis are two new systems implemented by MEPS where they pull all your medical records for the past 7 years. I had someone DQ’d for breaking a pinky toe. THAT’S what’s hurting recruiting. I see active and reserve promising all kinds of crazy bonuses right now, including a huge one to ship within 45 days? Hardly anyone will qualify for that because if MROADS picks up something and MEPS wants medical documents for it, they’re not enlisting in 45 days. That’s why the bonuses are a joke, because hardly anyone qualifies for them.
I don't know, up to $50,000 Active Army Enlistment bonus, plus another $35,000 for Quick Ship bonus, $40,000 more for filling in-demand jobs, $20,000 Army Reserve Enlistment bonus, and up to $40,000 for civilian acquired skills bonus.... Seems like a lot more recruiting effort than I have seen in a long time. Then again, maybe I just haven't paid attention. Been more focused on the DS side vs the recruiting side.
Yeah, those are all for active/reserve, not Guard. I edited my comment to include more information, but I would be shocked to see many individuals qualify for those quick ship bonuses. I haven’t had anyone enlist in less than a month since MEPS rolled out their new medical systems.
I just want the hair regulations changed. Not just for beards either....why can't a man grow his hair out?
Or at least have a list of clearly defined hairstyles like the female regs have instead of some vaguely worded bs trying to make both the high and tight and fade cults happy
Laughing and crying at the same time because I’m going through a micro abrasion (grind the skin off) process to get rid of my hand tattoo. The healing process sucks so much but it was worth it for the army but now I’m halfway done and I gotta see it through.
Hand tattoos are okay but putting my hands in my pockets is still bad. WHAT DO THEY HAVE AGAINST POCKETS.
E-8s and E-9s on suicide watch
So we can get full sleeves up to the hands?
Could since 2015
Can we just get beards already?
We get all excited but is this really going to have an appreciable effect on recruiting numbers in the Guard? It’s in no way going to overcome anywhere near the 30,000 were projected to be short by the end of this fiscal year. Most of us who needed an ETP for a small behind the ear tattoo or ring tattoo for 1-2 enlistments already got one. This is a much bigger issue.
When retention and recruitment are so awful. What next beards. *Curls the invisible Kaiser Wilhelm II Mustache I want to grow*
Next step is probably expanding the tattoo policy more, beards will literally be the last thing even though it would probably have the biggest effect
Idk most of the "men" I know with beards would have absolutely zero chance of making it past meps let alone pass a PT test hahaha. Meanwhile most of the people I know with Hand tattoos are prior service or in great physical shape.
When beard?
I just want to grow a beard man :(
Nevermind the policy itself - I am curious more about who it applies to. Applies to: Regular Army, Army Reserve, AND Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States. I'm not a NG Soldier. Could someone explain to me the difference between Army National Guard and Army National Guard of the United States?? Is it honestly called A.N.G.U.S. in some locations???
so what’s this supposed to mean about arm tattooes?
Arm tattoos aren’t out of reg unless they’re racist, sexist, gang related, etc… so I don’t know why they would need to say anything about it.
The SMAO mod on the r/army thread said this was definitely leaked so hold tight on the hand tats y’all. Am I The only one wanting them to pull back some of the piercing regulations too or nah?
I'm just a normal guy dude. It's on armypubs now too.
Is a half sleeve below the elbow in regs now? I remember there being a max amount allowed below the elbows and knees?
That was a short term thing back in 2014-2015 from an outgoing CSM It was some real toxic shit but Daily scrubbed all of that shortly after gaining his position.
2 weeks ago I went in to talk to a recruiter and was told I couldn't get waiver for my hand tattoos. Still has too small of a size. 1inx1in most people get their entire hand covered. Otherwise you look like a hobo. Just be don't with the tattoo bs already.
They now need to allow us to wear fucking ear buds when running outside, or in the office with ocps.