Ed Anderson, veteran in the Air Force, cannot remember any time of the past when he did not get shaving bumps after shaving his face. His rough face often causes painful inflammation and itching during its growth.
Anderson, who is now 70 years old, remembers a request for a concession when he entered service in 1975, allowing him to overcome the army’s requirements for men to be in a clean state. For him and other black pilots, concessions have become a symbol of loneliness.
Anderson said: “He was seen as an identifier of solidarity with other black GIS that has this waiver of shaving,” Anderson said.
The army as a whole I started to issue these exemptions In the seventies of the twentieth century, with the naval forces following the strongest approach in 1970 to allow the optional wearing of the beard to treat medical conditions. But different branches policies have changed several times since then.
Now, the new US Marine Corps policy that affects people with curly or rough hair derives the anger of critics who say it targets black men. The instructions, issued in March, stipulates that the diagnosis of false liar inflammation, or PFB, is more known as the boredom of razors or emerging hair, can lead to the expulsion of a member of the service from the branch if the problem persists. American Air Force also Update its directives In PFB earlier this year, the shaving exemptions will end 90 days after the next annual health evaluation of the pilot. But the requirements of those who may still be eligible for a concession are still unclear.
the The situation affects Up to 60 % of black men, according to the College of American Bone Diseases, at a much higher rate than any other group.
Anderson said he believes that this step is another example of “ongoing attacks” on diversity, fairness and integration initiatives in the federal government.
“Most of them are colored soldiers affected by this,” he said. “I don’t see this as a fruitful and effective way to keep and recruit forces.”
The latest change in politics under the dean. General David R. Everly Marx a Reflection from the 2022 policy This prevents Marines from leaving the service only to the condition of the skin. In the past three years, service members have been able to obtain temporary or permanent exemptions, or “there is no shaving cross -crossing”, once determined that PFB cannot be treated with topical medications.
Dermatologists across the country who treat people in the case say that the latest change in policy seems to be unnecessary.
“This is very targeted and deliberate,” said Chris Adegon, a dermatologist approved in North Carolina.
“It can only affect the way the hair follicles appear,” said Adigon, and does not affect the body in any way.
Under the new guidelines, which the message says it will get the best naval infantry for “the ability to warriors”, the service members who suffer from PFB are now required to undergo a medical evaluation within 90 days. If their condition does not improve within a year under four -part treatment plan, it can be separated from the branch, according to the estimation of their leader.
However, critics call it an old policy rooted in discrimination.
“This step has nothing to do with preparation.”
They said: “On her face, it is a racist policy, because this is a situation that affects African Americans and other people often only through the nature of hair growth on the face,” adding that “it also creates a huge administrative burden on the patient.”
It is still not clear that the number of marines will be affected by politics because the branch said it does not track the number of members who have PFB razors. Black service members make up 18 % of all active marine pedestrians, According to the data From the Official Gazette of the Marine Corps, a professional magazine for service members. A naval spokesman said that the branch itself does not keep racist demographic data from its members.
Military commanders say that change restores service members to the criteria of grooming that guarantee “the maximum preparedness for war,” according to the state.
“Our priority is a guarantee of the health and elasticity of our naval infantry with our ability to wrestle war,” said Miguor Jacobi Getty, a spokesman for manpower and reserves in the Legion, an office in charge of acquiring and keeping talents. “These updates include consistency in medical cases management while enhancing our commitment to returning the marine infantry to complete compliance whenever possible.”
Adijon noticed the history of politics as a point of disagreement dating back to the seventies, which led to a social uproar among the black service members who have long argued against its effectiveness.
American military leaders have long maintained that the service members should be in a clean state, whether to maintain a professional appearance and to ensure the appropriate suitability of the closing court masks, despite a little evidence that links PFB or facial hair to the poor gas mask.
A A study published In the Journal of Military Medicine in 2021, I found little evidence that short beards interfered with the stamp of the gas mask. A study in 2018 I found that the pilots With more than a long -footed beard, she managed to keep a tight seal on their masks in testing simulator depression.
Medical experts say that PFB may improve by not shaving at all or shaving with Clippers does not give a nearby shave, allowing hair to stay above the surface of the skin after cutting it. Another option is to remove laser hair. But for many naval infantry, the military dermatologist said this permanent option for many people seeing a temporary function is not an applicable option.
and Published analysis In the magazine, military medicine also found a link between concessions from shaving and delay in promotion that is not proportional to black service members.
This change comes in the last maritime policy at a time when Defense Minister Beit Higseth ordered in March Military review Physical fitness standards.
“We must remain vigilant in preserving the criteria that enable our army’s men and women to protect the American people and our country as the most deadly and effective combat power,” Higseth said when announcing the matter. The Ministry of Defense rejected a request to comment on the latest guidelines.
However, according to South Carolina dermatologist, Lauren Balush, the criteria that require clean haircuts “rooted in institutional racism” because they are unique from PFB for strict treatment. It is wondering why there are no similar rules for other skin conditions such as cystic acne or cellulitis, which affects the scalp. There are regulations for Treating these issuesBut there are no specific policies that can lead to the expulsion of the service member.
“If no one is not qualified, then PFB should not be,” Balush said.
Dara Speerman, a dermatologist accredited by the Board of Directors in Indiana, said the separation capabilities under policy are “exciting.”
“Given the historical interactions between black Americans and organizations regarding the habits and requirements of grooming, there are more other factors in playing than whether the gas mask is suitable,” said Speerman.
Anderson, citing his years of service, said he believed that he is good for his rights to challenge the things that do not agree with.
Anderson said: “I have always been patriotic, but being patriotic makes someone eligible to ask what is happening – and not only to accept blindly and communicate with everything,” Anderson said.
