Why can't we grow beards?

They probably don't allow us to grow beards so our promasks seal if there were to be a situation to arise when we need them.

Facial hair keeps the protective mask from sealing. The appearance of the military is necessary for good discipline. There are many different beards. The task of determining which ones are to be allowed would be nearly impossible.

SPC Voye, first and last allows me to share that the U.S. Army is no longer accepting such men and women within the Armed Forces. If any made it through the cracks - rest assured they won't last long. As for why you can't grow a beard, professionalism disallows the growth unless you are assigned to a Unit where only one professional outlook is admired - you are not assigned to that Unit. Continue to grow in knowledge and experience where you are, and when the time comes - you'll learn all that you need to know about that Unit.

Doesn't say much for your cohorts does it? Can't imagine anyone wanting to be a member of such an organization. The US Military is the best on the face of the Earth. If you want to be part of the best, you have to look it. Your question seems to suggest the standards should lowered to lowest level occupied by the worst person. Wouldn't stay the best for very long with that kind of thinking. Take pride in the fact that you are a member of an organization with the highest standards

Unless things have changed a lot since I was in, which I don't think it has, to get in the Army you can't have a any felonies and misdemeanors can't be anything violent or drug related. Drug and alchahol problems are not allowed to join, but if it happens after you are in you go through a drug and alchahol program. If you fail the program you are discharged. Overweight people if they are in active duty go through what we used to call the fat boy program. Psychotic people are not allowed in and would be discharged if it was found after they were on duty. As for the full sleeve tats they were allowed when I was in then because your generation decided they were going to tattoo faces, necks and have inappropriate tats. So they tightened up. Now they have loosened up so full sleeves are ok. As for beards, I think it would be ok, IF, it could be easily regulated, when we asked the same question why we couldn't have beards, it was explained that thing like sand fleas and other pests love beards so considering the areas we are fighting in, beards may not be a good choice.

Yes that was a bad statement , the military don’t let criminals or phycos in I have know idea where you got that idea , as for military and beards that’s based on where your deployed in my experience But I’ve been out for a few years

Lowering standards is never a good idea!

If you want to complain about growing a beard then why did you even join? When you get out you can grow your beard as a symbol of freedom.

Because procedure.

I was thinking that if you have facial hair, your gas mask can’t get a good seal on your face and you’ll be exposed to the environment that you need the gas mask for. So this maybe a reason the military doesn’t want you to have facial hair. This is just my guess.