Pseudofolliculitis Barbae.....
 

I have used the search function to attempt to find the answer to this question, with no prevail(I am hoping and praying that you all don't point it out to me still, despite my try to locate on my own.....) I have a shaving profile, due to 3 conditions, those of which being pseudofolliculitis(problematic ingrown hairs), irritant dermititis(irritated skin, caused by shaving) and folliculitis(Inflamation of the hair follicles). Will this keep me from attending SFAS? I feel it is a legitimate question, because the Ranger recruiters told me I would have to get laser or electrolisis hair removal before going to RIP when I spoke to them over a year ago. Hair removal is an option, but I would like to take up this option, ONLY if it is absolutly necessary, for I do not wish to be facial-hairless for the rest of my days, if at all possible to avoid. The Army will pay for this surgery/process, being that I have a permanant profile(At least thats what the doctor told me). Further guidance or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated gentlemen.

MoMF:

This is a question for a SF recruiter. You might want to start there.

Crip

Concur.

We do not have a lot of SFAS or SFQC students with beards.

Have you consulted AR 40-501?

TR

Are you serious?
 

Just shave airborne. My face broke out too, I could have got a profile. Why stick out? DO NOT get laser treatment......if you do become a QP or go into the Intel field your going to need that hair to blend in. Any questions send me a PM. Now go do PT. :cool:

Griff

Consulting AR 40-501 as we speak(Type..) But, by saying "We do not have a lot......", that means that there ARE, or have been before? Would having a beard SUBSTANTIALLY lower my chances of completing the course successfully, AND GETTING SELECTED?(I never imagined the scenario of "Damn, he is above and beyond the physical and mental standards, BUT.... He has a beard.....")

Like I said, it is a VERY serious problem. Most people have a few areas of their face that are problematic, but my ENTIRE face(With exception to my mustache) gets inflamed when I shave any closer than 1/8 of an inch. The Medical officers on the profiling board all agreed that it is maybe one of THE WORST cases they ever have seen..... So, this is not me whining in any way. Once more, getting the laser treatment would be a BAD move?! I was actually told by a QP(SFC A, 10th Group people will know him) that it would possibly be a good move to get it, because he got it, but only over a small portion of his neck. I have spoken briefly with an SF Recruiter(The one for the Stuttgart area), and he told me to get back with him in a few months, upon my promotion to PFC(For that is when he will begin helping me with my packet, but why not already have my ducks in a row if at all possible?!). All guidance and advice is greatly appreciated, and further correspondence will be anticipated.

*Moving out, drawing fire.... Buying shave cream

Checked out AR 40-501. It pointed me towards TB Med 287. I have this document already, and I keep it in my Leaders Book which I carry everywhere during the duty day.(This is necessary because some NCO's try to enforce here-say/word-of-mouth regulations that they have no knowledge of, so I have to cover my ass constantly.) The only reason it points out why/when I would have to shave is when direct to by my CO, in a case of CBRN(NBC for you older people) training, or if he deems I absolutely am not "combat ready"(Which would be a bit of a silly charge, since my unit is highly UN-deployable. Only onesie-twosies get tasked maybe once or twice a year...).

MoMF:

I was at SWTG(A) for nearly 3 years and I never saw a student with a shaving profile. I do however know a couple people who had profiles prior to attending training...

You really dont want anymore attention directed your way than you can handle... Your goal is to be the gray man; having a beard will definitely affect your ability to blend in with your fellow students. You dont want to be "that" guy and it wont change once in Group... Something to think about.

You have a lil time to think about it before you can attend SFAS anyway...

Crip

No, I mean zero, none.

I think you are getting way ahead of yourself, but IMHO, if your case is as bad as you state, you have a condition incompatible with SF training and service.

TR

Roger that, and understood. Like I said, 1/8 inch is the lenght where it gives me NO problems. I do use clippers(Like barbers use to cut hair) to trim it down really close(1/16 inch) if there is a ceremony or a board that I must attend. Would THAT get me through? Oh, not really much time, though it may sound the contrary. Based on Time in Grade/Time in Service, I will be getting 2 promotions in the next 7 months(E-1 through E-4 promotions are automatic, as long as 'Murphy' doesnt pay an unfortunate visit to me.....), which means I will be an E-4/SPC on 1 Feb. 2009. The SF Recruiter told me if I get with him as soon as I get my E-3 promotion(1 Aug., 2008) and we get the volunteer packet completed I can attend SFAS right after I get "pinned" in February.

I'm not trying to "get over" or skate my way through anything, I just want to know all options and make/take educated and well thought out plan of action. In the end, the important thing is me getting selected, so if a situation arises, hell..... I will dry-shave with an a shard of obsidian if need be.

Are you seriously trying to explain the promotion standards to QPs and former QPs? You've got to be joking me. You have been given advice and I suggest you stop talking and stop replying to the posts. Accept the advice and move on troop. You need thick skin in this line of work...you need to be able to accept comments, suggestions, and directives...if you can't even do that now as a good lil PVT...how in God's name will you be able to do it as an NCO or much less be able to lead? You must learn to follow before you can lead...good luck and I seriously suggest you reread all of the posts in here and consider not posting again.

This is where you should have stopped.

A beard is a beard... See TR's post above about being incompatible with training/service in SF if you still have questions.

Best thing you can do is stop digging private and accept the advice you have been given.

Read more/post less.

Crip

An observation from the fence
 

Just and observation from the fence.

Has to do with "Grey Man".

He who is noticed in training and waves regs around finds 1SGs and SGMs have thier own copy in the office and plenty of time for reading. :D

Try this site and article.
http://www.classicshaving.com/articl...0351/18187.htm

I suffered for years with with the samething in my neck area, not to the extent that you do. I found this site and bought a cheap wal mart brush and soap. No more problems. I can shave and have no stubble and no irritation. I have been using a brush and soap for over a year now. I used a regular disposible razor for most of that time, I just recently switched to the old safety razor style, it takes alot more work to get a close shave. I tell you this because on the website they tell you that a safety razor is better.

Give it a try and see if it helps.

The shave soap is the most important in my opinion, the brush is the second.

You should have your recruiter contact SWCS and see if you can complete your SF physical with the condition or if the condition is waiverable. I do know people in SF with shaving profiles, however, I don't recall seeing anyone in the Q-course with one. But, that doesn't mean it is not waiverable. When I was working at Phase II, I remember a student with some unusual boots who had a profile because he had leather allergies, which leads me to believe that there is some wiggle room with the medical profiles.

Just for an update, and incase anyone in the future has the same question/issue.....

I went to an SF briefing, and spoke with a recruiter yesterday. He said a shaving profile is a non-issue at Selections.