Posted on Jan 9, 2017
Can a veteran wear their service uniform with facial hair?
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I am planning on wearing my uniform to an appropriate event but have since grown a beard. I have looked for he answer in AR670-1 and 10 USC 772 but can not find the answer any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted in these groups: 
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Uniforms Dress Uniform
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 192
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I last wore my uniform to my brother's military funeral. I too have a beard, which I grew immediately on my retirement from the service, some 15 years ago.
I didn't question the regs. I personally think beards should be allowed in the Military, but regs are regs. I shaved my beard without hesitation, wore my uniform with pride, and re-grew my beard in just a few weeks. It was no big sacrifice.
BTW -- I kept my "regulation mustache" which predates the beard by decades.
I didn't question the regs. I personally think beards should be allowed in the Military, but regs are regs. I shaved my beard without hesitation, wore my uniform with pride, and re-grew my beard in just a few weeks. It was no big sacrifice.
BTW -- I kept my "regulation mustache" which predates the beard by decades.
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CW3 Harvey K.
COL Ed Gibson - Thank you, Colonel. That's highly treasured praise from a man who served in three wars.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I will not wear My Military service uniform ever unless I'm in complete compliance with Regulations. What I have worn is My American Legion Uniform and as it is My haircuts still meet Military standards, I don't wear a beard and the Legion uniform is neat and does indicate My prior Military service and often We have had Honor guards from the Legion.
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MSgt George Murray
I feel extremely proud when I'm in uniform. I have kept my hair short and no beard. I personally don't like beards, and I know a lot of guys that have them. More power to them. Maybe I'm old fashion, but I prefer it that way.
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PO3 Daniel Sylvernale
I agree. If I am to put the uniform on I will abide by the regs that I knew when I was in including regulations haircut. Mine is long now because I am Native American but if I am in uniform I am burying a brother or sister and some of us cut our hair in honor of the deceased. So if I got to cut hair may as well go regulation it will grow again.
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I haven't looked at the regs, just my own standards: If you put the uniform on, then get to standards. I will not wear my uniform again because I have a beard and don't want to shave. I see no problem wearing medals on a suit/tux to this function which is perfectly ok. Listen the admin POGS took this down as I posted it earlier.
Check out this page:https://www.thebalance.com/military-uniforms-by-retirees-veterans-3356978
Check out this page:https://www.thebalance.com/military-uniforms-by-retirees-veterans-3356978
Military Uniform Rules for Retirees and Veterans
Retired military members and certain honorably discharged veterans may wear the US Military uniform on certain occasions.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
MSgt James Wright - Everyone's got internet, so access to 670-1. No excuse for not looking up the reg yourself.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
I agree although I don't have a beard and My hair is still within standards a don't have the proper issue shoes anymore and won't wear the uniform unless is is 100% within Regulations. I do wear My American Legion Uniform with the service ribbons upon it.
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CW3 Tim Trumble
SGM Dawson, SPC Smith wrote in his initial post: I have looked for he answer in AR670-1 and 10 USC 772 but can not find the answer any help would be greatly appreciated. So your flippant response is unnecessary.
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I would wear my beard with my uniform if I were in Afghanistan... which is where this picture was taken... Every time I and the guy in this picture went to Afghanistan we wore beards so... now that he is retired and visiting Afghanistan as a combat wounded warrior (double amputee in Afghanistan) on a goodwill tour if he didn't wear a beard he'd look out of place and most of his friends there wouldn't recognize him. So end of a long story, some people are more special than others... in fact it says so on our uniforms :p
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SFC Jim Ruether
I had always heard that if a soldier was in the field long enough to grow a beard he was some bad ass you didn't want to mess with in the first place.
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SGT Philip Keys
MSG Harris you fellas are in fact special, but last time I checked your uniforms didn't say anything. Now when you're all dressed up you all look like Christmas trees with all sorts of badges, ribbons, etc. I'm pretty sure most folks wouldn't call you guys out on anything. God bless you all for everything you do.
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CSM Patrick Durr
Well, I thought you were going to put an end to this string. Great words. Got to watch you guys go out every day and night while in Afghanistan, even went out a few times with you and my boss (USMC MG). Great respect for what you guys do. Thanks.
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A1C Kenneth Johnston
The big push for beards came from our war(s) in the Middle East. Because it’s part of the culture. Vietnam didn’t have Americans getting surgeries to look Asian. When I was in the only branch that allowed beards was the Navy. Other branches you had to have a shaving profile or for medical reasons. I believe our current Secretary of Defense (War) has forbidden beards, could be mistaken. I don’t like military disrespecting the uniform with a beard just like I don’t like police in uniform wearing a beard..
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