Why can't we grow beards?

Growing a beard while service to nation is more of a tool to identify with local tribes in patriarchal societies. The beard is for gaining trust as well as showing the right of passage of men. When there is no NBC threat it is common for operators to do this. Personally I would prefer to a clean shave to ensure a proper seal on a has mask because in the unlikely chance that the enemy would get their hands on and deploy a nerve agent I wouldn't want to do the kickin chicken in a gunfight. CIB US Army Infantryman.

Gas mask you need to be able to get a seal with them. Beards are overrated anyway.

Are you friggin serious?? A few days stubble is one thing with a beard is another when it comes to a proper seal on your gas mask. Just because some other countries say it does not matter, do you want to trust your life with that? Or are you wanting to emulate the full beard SF type operators? Your a Spec-4. You should have better things on your mind than wanting to grow a beard. Like your next performance evaluation so that you can get promoted.
There I said it just as I would have told one of my squad members.
Get your priorities straight if you want a military career.

Grow a beard, put on a mask and enter the gas chamber. If you can show me that it seals, I’ll Support your arguement..but I don’t think I’m in danger of having to agree with your invalid point.

Your gas mask won't fit properly. The other resson it prevents lice . A clean shave and haircut makes for a better and more professional uniform appearance.

I'm a private and personally I think it looks bad when soldiers have profiles. Maybe it wouldn't look so bad longer and Fuller but the second asu's get put on it's gotta go.

So you want to grow a beard, check rog. Go SF or get out those are your options. You want to look like a video game character? Get out and go contract. Too easy you already don't have to shine boots or be a man what more you want lol

This why your a young specialist. I’m not going to start quoting AR670-1 and 601-210. The tattoo thing just changed not too long ago. Maybe a year now. Tattoos were once taboo. Now every soccer mom has them. The Army has to evolve. Now the whole thing we are letting criminals and other people in. Wrong!! Do you know to qualify for the military the percentage is less than 5% that qualify. Is everyone truthful upon enlistment? Hell no!! Do recruiters coach their potential enlistments? Hell no!! Yeah right... so the beard thing. 3 words GAS GAS GAS.. your now choking on your own puke, blurred vision and tightness of your chest. And your buddy is going to stab you with a giant needle. If you want a beard. You can always join the navy.

How long have you been in boy. I have been retired in served longer than you have been alive. You are part of the Y generation. ALL I CAN SAY IS AS A FORMER COMBAT ENGINEER. DO WHAT YOU WANT! BUT YOU WILL CAUSE THE WHOLE GROUP TO SUFFER. PEER PRESSURE IS THE BEST CORRECTIVE TRAINING!

Really brief history lesson - beards were allowed up until WWI, when it was discovered that beards interfered with the proper operation of the gas mask. They've been verboten ever since. And it's still true today. If you wear a gas mask with a beard, it leaks.