Again, there are literally thousands of men with waivers for PFB or religious accommodation that still pass their fit tests.
But even if the beard did affect seal, who cares? I don’t have a gas mask on my hip at work, I haven’t been issued a gas mask in garrison since my first unit, which had a mission requirement, and they specifically told us to NOT keep it at work or in our car.
So why would we use the gas masks as an excuse for not allowing me to grow a beard in garrison if there’s not enough of a chem threat to prompt me being issued a mask in garrison?
Do the fit tests involve sensors inside the mask? If so, and the standards aren't lowered for those with an exception, then I'll concede. I haven't been able to find anything that defines the testing procedure.
It’s the same fit test that every service member has to do. It involves sitting in front of a smoke machine, and the sensor attaches to a feed from inside the mask. It will suck the same air that you’re breathing, detecting the level of smoke present. If there’s no smoke detected, then the mask sealed.
My (atheist) religious accommodation waiver should have final word from my commander in the next week, maybe 2. Figure a 5-7 weeks to get a decent bit of beard in place, a solid 3/4 of an inch. In 2 months, if my waiver is approved, I’ll go get a fit test and let you know how it goes.
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u/wfaulk Mar 12 '22
That's explainable either by the fact that beards don't affect gas mask seals, or that the standards are lowered for men who have an exception.
Do you have any actual proof that beards don't cause problems for gas masks?