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No shave? No Problem!

Thank God Marines don’t have to shave on leave and liberty anymore. That must be the case because wherever I go off base — or even on base — I see unshaved Marines, especially on weekends.

It’s nothing like the old days when Marines were clean-shaven whether on duty or on leave and liberty, as written in MCO P1020.34G. The order states at the bottom of page 1-9 that, “Men will be well groomed at all times.” Who knew that “all times” excluded leave and liberty? And it goes on to say, “The face will be clean-shaven, except that a mustache may be worn.”

How awesome it must be for young Marines to say, “I don’t feel like shaving today,” and have nobody say anything about it to them. Take the Marine I saw at an on-base barber shop Monday morning. When I asked why he hadn’t shaved — obviously for several days — he replied, “Well, Gunny, I’m just coming off leave.”

How nice.

And what a relief it must have been for the two noncommissioned officers in the room to not have to step up and lead.

Well I for one am relieved now that I don’t have to ensure Marines meet grooming and appearance standards. Now I can enjoy trips in town with my family without having to correct some unshaved knucklehead at the video store wearing flip-flops, moth-eaten shorts and a plain white T-shirt.

Hey, why don’t we just start wearing our cammies out in town too? Heck, we can all wear them out on dates and shopping trips and anywhere we like.

Or maybe NCOs can start enforcing grooming standards. Here’s another crazy thought: I and my fellow staff NCOs hold Marines accountable; we enforce the “Marine 24/7” concept, particularly when it comes to liberty.

Is this going to win battles? Probably not. But I was taught adherence to standards and regulation helps develop the discipline Marines need in training and combat. Will shaving on liberty help instill pride, attention to detail and obedience to regulations? Your call. But it’s a regulation, and obedience to orders is what sets Marines apart.

— Gunny P

When you get razor bumps, then you can tell me to shave every day.

— dkalis