Why can't we grow beards?

Sadly, at the height of deployments, Recruitment Standards were relaxed. Some of those people used the opportunity to turn their life around until they were no longer needed & Uncle Sam showed 'em the door.

I believe the trumping argument for clean shaven is to get a proper seal for the protective mask. Those beards may look study but are going to get you killed in a saren gas attack.

Actually idk about the overweight one. I don’t meet the height weight requirement but couldn’t get in. I went 4 years ROTC had my own platoon, was an officer, marksman and can do their PT test. But because I’m a little overweight I couldn’t join. But now I’m too old to join.

SPC Cody Vote, which allied nations are you referring to that allow their service members to wear beards. If a nation authorizes their military members to wear beards it is usually for medical, religious, or cultural exemptions. Besides that the majority on nations do not authorize the wearing of beards by their military members.

I tried to grow a beard when I was in the Navy, but I never could get it to fill out. Now, I'm laughing out loud at my own self.

Spec Voye, What makes you think you have the right to even ask that question. When you signed up did you know the regulation prohibited beards? Anyway Son I would hate to have mistaken you for an Iraq Solider and shit you!! Now are those two reason enough you youor do you need for it to be explained in a court marshal. The choice is yours.
KinJ. Spano Ltc(Ret)
USAR , Combat Engineers

Grow a beard, apply your pro-mask. Tell me how well it seals.

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.