Okay, I admit: I didn't wade through every single post on this thread...but I'll throw in my two cents at the risk of going over something that's already been covered.
When I joined (infantry) in 1975, I got nasty razor burn, regardless of whether it was electric or a safety razor. I got a chit fm the MO to "cease shaving". My instructors were NOT terribly thrilled, but they accepted it gracefully.
The one major concern of course was NBCD training: how well was I going to get a respirator seal? As it turned out, by keeping the beard short (i.e. whisker length of about a 1/4") I managed to achieve enough of a seal--for CS gas anyway--that it was no problem. My cheeks and under my chin itched where the mask sealed for a couple of days after doing the training, but it was nothing compared to the misery of the shaving rash.
As the years went by, my hide toughened up enough that when I finally took the beard off, it was okay. So, for those who have this problem--LEGITIMATELY--I recommend the no shave chit. You're going to have enough on yr plate w/out fussing over minor crap.
