As you may know the US Government is currently in the midst of another partial government shutdown. During this time about 420,000 federal employees are still working without any guarantee that they will be paid come January 1st. Included in this number are about 42,000 active duty Coast Guard personnel. While steps have been taken to ensure those serving in the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force continue to get paid, those of us who serve our country in the Coast Guard have no reassurance that we will receive the regular paychecks that we, and our families, depend on come January 1st, and possibly beyond.

We will still stand watch, respond to every emergency call, stop drugs from entering the country, maintain waterways to ensure commerce can continue, provide security to Americans ports, and all of our other mission while not getting paid. This is always a stressful situation to be in at any time, and particularly so after Christmas. We signed up to serve our country and will continue to do so with pride and professionalism in all situations and at all times. We realize there is little those at headquarters can do to help resolve this legislative situation, however, I believe there is something they can do to give the current shut down a bit of a positive outcome: give all active duty personnel permanent shave or pony tail chits.

Since the early 1986 the men in the Coast Guard have been required to shave daily in order to help ensure a crisp, professional, military appearance and to "meet the same level of smartness" as the other branches of the military. Prior to then the Coast Guard had a strong tradition of beards with heros like Joshua James proudly wearing beards. Similarly, women serving in the Coast Guard must wear their hair in a neat bun for the same reason. These grooming standards served us well, but as time moved on societies view on facial hair changed and many law enforcement officers and members of other branches now have neat, professional, facial hair or braided hair. This year the Navy updated their uniform standard for females to allow wider buns, and pony tails in most situations.  Allowing Active Duty Coast Guard men and women to maintain a more modern appearance while in uniform will not mitigate the stress and worry that comes from this government shutdown, but it will bring comfort for years to come.  

Please sign and share to show your support for our often overlooked branch of the military.  We may not be part of the DOD, but we still serve.