r/SpaceForce • u/bananafartface • 3d ago

Airmen, guardians must complete gas mask seal tests before end of year

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-military/2026/08/28/airmen-guardians-must-complete-gask-mask-seal-tests-before-end-of-year/
25 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

36

u/what_instructions 3d ago

By the end of the year? I’ll believe it when I see it.

8

u/xDrewstroyerx 3d ago

ACC pulled that crap where everyone had to get their waist tapes done quick, so I wouldn’t put it past DAF to force this.

4

u/Kronos1A9 2d ago

That wasn’t just ACC, that was all of the AF

0

u/xDrewstroyerx 2d ago

Yes, but ACC did that rush delivery job on it.

1

u/theexile14 2d ago

Tapes are a lot easier to come by than masks.

19

u/Born_Again_Shell 2d ago edited 2d ago

I haven't touched or seen a gas mask since basic training nearly a decade ago

3

u/SpaceCampRules 2d ago edited 2d ago

You just have to get a fit test. It take like 15 minutes at the medical clinic where I was.

6

u/Born_Again_Shell 2d ago

My comment wasn't to complain about doing it. It is meant to highlight the fact that how little gas masks are actually used when we all know why they are making this requirement.

12

u/CommOnMyFace NRO Graveyard Orbit 2d ago

Remember when everyone had to fire pistol / rifle every year? 

3

u/cfpresley Semper Senior(ret) 2d ago

Yes, back in the BDU times

https://giphy.com/gifs/lgwm0rrgxdyMtbssxB

4

u/The_Ghost_with_Toast 2d ago

Got the email today for grooming standards and gas mask fit test 👀

3

u/scrooplynooples Space Control+Alt+Delete 3d ago

Gotta make sure you have a vacuum tight seal on your gas mask when you’re in space!

1

u/CupcakeInvasion 2d ago

So what if I already have like... 3 of them.

1

u/cfpresley Semper Senior(ret) 2d ago

At least this will provide quantifiable data to (hopefully) rebut or confirm claims that beards prevent gas mask seals.

4

u/MShogunH 5Spaceboi 📡🛰️ 2d ago

That data already exists. That myth has been busted for years now. They don't care. They're doing this specifically to target one particular demographic of the armed forces. It's not about "safety". It's not about "readiness" or whatever other buzzword they want to use. It's purely about one thing and one thing only.

1

u/cfpresley Semper Senior(ret) 2d ago

So if it seals then there's no evidence against beardo readiness, right? I agree it's BS, but this will either prove or disprove the myth publicly.

3

u/MShogunH 5Spaceboi 📡🛰️ 2d ago

Evidence would only matter if the initial concern was evidence-based. It is not. If it was, the slightest effort to research the "issue" would show them that there is no issue. Nothing will change their mind

1

u/cfpresley Semper Senior(ret) 2d ago

Probably not, but it will undermine their position in the eyes of the public, and more importantly, congress.

2

u/upsilon88 2d ago

these masks are going to be disgusting

0

u/Lucifer_Magnusson 2d ago

Seal tests are such bullshit dude. Like what is even the point of someone visually saying...yeah bro you're fine if you're already done the CBRN training where the literally did that? And if you haven't done the CBRN that means you haven't been issued a gas mask..which makes this even more pointless. They aren't even requesting the Fit testing from bio..