Current Military Policy for DE Razors in Care Packages

[Bearded Buckeye]

Hello, Badger & Blade members:

Does anyone know whether or not the United States Army allows soldiers to have DE safety razors during basic training and beyond?

I have researched the topic online but the only relevant information that I can find is this:

"What to Bring List" (Prior to Shipping to Basic Training):

Disposable/safety shaving razor (non-electric)
​

I would like to send my brother a wet shaving kit, but I find the military-released statement to be a bit ambiguous...which makes me hesitant to take a chance with a Fat Boy and a nice brush. Does anyone within the forum have recent experience with a loved one in the military? Or, personal experience?

Thank you in advance for your input, and suggestions!


BEARDED BUCKEYE

 

[WetWhiskers]

No direct personal experience, comma but...

It says "/safety razor" the stroke usually means "or" and "safety razor" is what you're sending.

That said I would stick to bare bones, no-frills. You never know what will flip a DI's switch...

Low profile, don't stick out...

Ww

 

[Mr_Smartepants]

If I remember correctly, the instructors will check the cleanliness of the footlockers (including the toiletries). The safest option is cheap disposable razors. Use once, toss 'em.
Once he's out of basic, he can do what he likes with shaving.

 

[Wes Murphy]

+1. No reason for a gig when not necessary.

 

[Bearded Buckeye]

Thank you for your input, friends.

I think I am going to play it safe for now to make sure that he doesn't end up with a nickname like "Blade", "Gillette"...or "Fat Boy". While I think those names would be incredibly cool; I doubt that he would be so enthused.


BEARDED BUCKEYE

 

[Jarick]

From what my friends tell me, it's best to lay low during basic. Maybe get him a nice DE kit as a graduation present.

 

[KW Driver]

Yeah, they aren't going to be happy about the blades, so I'd leave it be till he's out of OSUT/AIT. worse case, you mail it and he has the show his drills, and they lock it up with the rest of his civilian gear he arrived with.

Additionally, if he's not already a wet shaver, he'll need his time for other activities, and shouldn't have a lot of time at first call anyway. He needs to be in and out of the latrine, so he can be a team player, and not hog a sink.

 

[russhatch]

It has been many years since I went through basic - as I remember there wasn't enough time for a proper shave. I would just use carts until he is graduated and then set him up when there is enough time for him to shave.

 

[wiskibubbles]

I used carts in basic because you have all of 3 minutes at times. A Fatboy would be a good thing to send when he's in school or at first base

 

[Rothman]

I know 11 years ago in AF basic you had to use disposable razors. Nothing that could be used to injure yourself or others in the high stress environment. We even had a trainee try to kill himself with a disposable by dismantling it to get the blades.... I'd say DON'T SEND IT.

 

[bryant]

I went through basic training at Ft. Jackson in 2002, and at that time our DS took us to the px and "told" us what to purchase. We were not allowed to use the things we brought as they were locked up with our bag when we got there. They made us all purchase Mach 3's. Now of course this was 11 years ago, but from what I am hearing this is pretty much still the policy. The advice given to lay low is good advice. A DE kit would be a wonderful and welcome graduation present...any AIT (job training after basic) other than infantry school (11B) will be much more relaxed.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Don't make him stick out. Nothing different. Let him be the invisible recruit that nobody notices, and boot camp will go painlessly. It's only temporary, and if the shave sucks well, that's the least of his discomforts and inconveniences. Same goes for brush and mug. Let him use bar soap and finger lather, or Gillette Foamy or Edge Gel... whatever the next guy is using. NOTHING DIFFERENT.

I had a cousin who stubbornly refused to give up his pipe in boot camp. Everybody else smoked cigarettes. He took it like a man but boy did he have to take it! Always singled out. The high nail always gets hammered. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. They are trying to build uniformity, consensus, and team consciousness, not foster individuality and free thinking.

 

[Loganpass]

You'd never have enough time in basic to keep it clean for inspections. You even have to keep the nozzle of the shaving cream can clean up inside or you'll get dinged and it's all you can do to find time to get the simple stuff done. There is no such thing as free time during the training week. On the plus side, we discovered that it was possible to flush a disposable razor when it wasn't possible to throw it away... Once the garbage cans have been emptied and flipped over you don't want to be left with trash!

 

[AABCDS]

Disposables only during basic. I wouldn't send him razor blades or straight razors unless you want it confiscated by the drill sergeants; they open the mail and inspect it for contraband.

 

[dpm802]

+1 to all those who say he should blend in and just use what everyone else is using. Boot camp is not a place one to show off individual style, not to mention being rushed for time every day from morning 'til night.

In the meantime, you can go ahead and assemble a nice wet-shaving kit for him ... just hold on to it until he graduates. Once he gets off to tech-school or whatever his next assignment will be, then he will be able to enjoy wet-shaving for all its worth.

 

[August West]

Disposables for maggots.

When he becomes permanent party it will be a wonderful gesture.

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Shy away from anything that singles him out...suggest getting him a nice DE, Badger brush! soap/cream, aftershave and maybe even a str8 razor! Nice gesture...tell him thanks for his Service from Badger and Blade!

 

[armysoldier1073]

DE blades are not allowed in basic and AIT due to the potential harm that can be caused with them. I'm replating a slim and restoring a brush for my son when he graduates his ait in november. I'm active duty and just got off recruiting duty. Even though De blades are disposable, they will not be allowed to have them. Some recruiting stations, when an individual leaves for basic their bags are scanned. if they find items prohibited it does not go. they consider De and Straight edge blades in same category as knifes for obvious reasons.

 

[PFP_Dad]

Great answers. I went through about 10 years ago and we were only allowed items from the PX. My grandma was kind enough to send me cards, a puzzle, and a rubix cube in case I got bored. My DI's got a kick out of that note and made sure I wasn't too bored.

 

[cb91710]

+1. No reason for a gig when not necessary.

+2


Unless he wants the DI to name him "Fatboy"... which may not be all bad... but "Lilac" wouldn't be very good... so don't send him a bottle of The Veg