Why can't we grow beards?

The beard policy is to allow a proper seal for a gas mask period. When I was in DC I was horrified that about 1/3 of the secret service had facial hair that would not allow a proper mask seal. Vanity vs security!

Having a beard in the field can pose many disease problems, ie, lice, as well as try forming a gasmask seal with a beard!

You joined the military. Quit whining. Follow the regs and stop worrying about other SMs.

I always thought it was because when some of those guys tried to grow facial hair, it looked like a patchy lawn.

I heard those other countries are looking for some people with beards to come join them. Problem solve

SPC Cody can you even grow one, I'm just kidding. All jokes asides it is said that the reason that we are not allowed to grow out a majestic rugged beard is because it does not allow the gas mask to seal well around the face , I think is BS but they are now researching if there's ways around it, yet I haven't seen any updates in a while , I pray it gets approved. if it gets approved it will still get a while till we can grow one out due to amendment to the regulation and regulating the length cut and styles to fit a professional look.

Don’t join if you don’t want to be clean shaven. I’m not sure why this is so hard to figure out.
Besides, it really can be a hygiene thing.
But, in the end it’s a follow the dang rules or ETS thing.
Simple calculation really.

I dont know why...I was told to shave and I did. Whether or not it looks unprofessional or not is in the eye of the beholder, easier for me to shave then to worry about the why's or why comes.

Have to be able to seal your mask.

Maybe it is just Genetic for you.