Why can't we grow beards?

It affects the Seal of your protective mask

Bring back the Starch and the boot polish!! Go back to the old days!

The only ones historically were engineers. Pre WW1! Relax the field policy garrison not so much bring back the mustache

I was always Jealous of those with shaving profiles. It they made 1/8 of an inch the standard, Wouldn’t look too bad although maybe just in the ocps and not dress that would look odd.

If you want to grow a beard, become a civilian contractor! Problem solved. I had no problem with being clean shaven during my time in service. It was a standard that I knew I had to meet before I joined. But honestly at 17 I couldn't grow much of a beard anyways. Now at 43, I am my own boss and I have several facial piercings and a 22 inch beard, because as a civilian I cab do whatever I want. Just my 2 cents.

It IS an issue with a gas mask. Just TRY to get a gas mask to deal over a beard !!

I don't know what the Army is like NOW, but I suspect you don't have your facts straight. Some of this may be happening in your unit, but to say the Army allows this is pure bullshit. I can't imagine the Command allowing drug and alcohol abuse problems, overweight, and serious criminal history folks tp stay in. Full sleeve tattoos these folks may of already had them before the regulation changed and might be grandfathered in.....Psychotic people really now you're a doctor of some kind? Don't give 2 shits about what other armies do and neither should you. Your focus there Speedy 4 should be doing your job the best you can and striving to become a Sergeant and leader vs. worrying about something way above your paygrade.

Like many veterans, I grew a full beard once I got out just to see if I liked it. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing so in the Army because I was proud to maintain the standards. They represented me and all of us to the public and, if I hadn't loved up to them, it would look badly upon the service I was so proud to be a part of. That's just my opinion though.

Considering our chosen profession you hace to suck it up butter cup, you knew rules going in. If you dont like the standards ETS. 1 of the best reasons for the grooming standard is our clise proximity to our brothers in arms..ie hot racking etc unwanted visitors like lice crabs ticks sand fleas......1 less place for them to live.

Special Operations only -- as in country you need to blend with the population as is Iraq, Afagan, etc.