I recently enlisted int he coast guard and i go to cape may january 29th. The problem I have is when I shave using razors I get razor bumps really bad that dont go away for weeks. Is there anyway I can bring some trimmers so I can shave? Or can I go to the military barber or somethin to get a shave?

you'll have to shave, gets the bumps for proof, and then get a shave chit!

Being civilian again, it's GREAT to go to work without shaving!!!!

to NOT SHAVING

Alright thanks...

Several people I knew in bootcamp brought their electric razor also, and that was over 10 years ago.

Do they issue shave chits during Recruit Training?

I GOT OUT OF BOOT CAMP A YEAR AGO (X-RAY 175)
AND IVE NEVER HEARD OF A SHAVE CHIT AND DURING SHAVE DRILLS FLIP YOU RAZOR AROUND AND USE THE PLASTIC SIDE....IT WILL SAVE YOU ALOT OF BLOOD.
HAHA

GOOD LUCK KID
DAMIEN

Several people in my company had shave chits. W-161. I think they had to shave every 3 days. Me, twice a day was normal! I hated it!

So should I bring my trimmers just in case? And what exactly is a shave chit?

Shave chit = medical clearance not to shave

If there is an issue with bumps, you can get a shave chit. Let someone know...you may catch a little crap for it. As long as you do exactly what the chit says you will be fine.

Good Luck!
BBoo

I met this guy who's been in the Coast Guard for over 20 years or something and works up here in Washington DC. He actually has a full grown beard (nothing too ridiculous), but he actually got a waiver because he says that "black men" get bumps when they shave or something like that. Not that this only applies to black men, as I can barely grow anything more than peach fuzz.

I copied this from a website.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a common condition of the beard area occurring in up to 60% African American men and other people with curly hair. The problem results when highly curved hairs grow back into the skin causing inflammation and a foreign body reaction. Over time, this can cause keloidal scarring which looks like hard bumps of the beard area and neck. Shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin causing pseudofolliculitis barbae.

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OK, this is a common skin condition in African American males but about 20% of Caucasian males suffer from this too. There's really no reason you shouldn't be able to shave in either instance. I too suffer from varying skin conditions which makes shaving difficult for me. When I first started running companies here at the TRACEN, I too, thought that some folks just had to get a chit and not shave. A young man by the name of PO Dawson educated me in the errors of my ways and I'll tell you how.

The RAZOR makes all the difference. Some folks will tell you to use only a single blade razor, others will tell you to get an expensive multi-blade razor. Both have their advantages but the thing you want to remember ... USE A SHARP RAZOR. Dull razors will actually induce problems. Use a blade, at the most, two times then toss it for a new one.

Always wash your face ( NO SOAP ) with warm water before shaving. You can use a few different products for the save itself. I use the ole' standby BARBASOL. I mostly see amongst the African American Males a product called Bump Patrol shaving gel. I believe that's the product PO Dawson introduced me to.

After the shave, applying Bump Patrol after shave cream which will aide in treatment of any skin problems.

There's really no excuse ... and I can't say that I've had any African American males in my companies suffer from bumps since. EDUCATION IN THE MATTER IS KEY. Some show up without the product but I buy it for them so that the entire company has a clean PROFESSIONAL look. Don't assume that we'll all do that for you. Come prepared for training.

Here'e the site if you want to educate yourself :
[ BUMP PATROL ]

... it even shows you how to shave and apply the product. You can't lose.
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Ok, so a lot of stuff about guys and beards, but what about the girls? You know, it takes a lot longer for us to shave than it does for you.

I actually have skin problems when shaving my legs... I skip the fancy female "Skintimate" products and go straight to the men's aisle... stop complaining- you're products are much better than ours. Edge gel is so much thicker, I can't even feel it even when I do get nicked which has only happened once since I started using it as opposed to 2-3 times every shave with some crappy female product- even the stuff that was advertised as a no-fault product.

I used "no-fault" because I couldn't think of the words 'can't-go-wrong' until I clicked post now... that would make more sense.

Boarder19....Females actually aren't required to shave. Actually when i was in Basic most of the females did not shave their legs/armpits because of time constraints..and what reason do you need to shave for...you're in basic!

Even after basic, there's no regulation stating females HAVE to shave, just males.

You were allowed to bring an electric razor when I was in boot camp about 4 years ago.

That does make sense... if we don't have to shave in the winter, why do it in basic?
I can't go anyway- just curious.

Who says you don't have to shave in the winter?

What are "shaving drills"?