Why can't we grow beards?

Why are beards not ok but mustaches are. If beards fit the same category as sleeve tattoos and crazy people then mustaches should be in the same category as pedophiles. A man's face was meant to have a beard not shaven like a womans.

Beards would drive the chickensh!t NCOs and officers CRAZY. They would be constantly chewing out the miscreants who's beards were not up to spec, and the amount of "crotch crickets" (lice) who would find a home in the beards would be a problem. Of course I say all of this tongue-in-cheek; I can't think of any good reason to not allow facial hair.

I’ve often wondered this my self. You can argue AR670-1 or what ever regulation you like. But with out explanation it falls on deaf ears.
And yet that is all we offer the answer of “because I said so”. And in the same breath Praise our European counterparts and OUR SF we idolize. And they are allowed to grow a magestic beard. Are they immune to the regulation because of their duty position?

It’s easy to set a standard: can not extend more than 2” off the chin, and must be neatly trimmed and groomed.

It's all about personal hygiene, fitting of gas masks and uniformity. If you wanted to grow a beard you should have been a Pirate. I know that its a trend to let Spec-ops grow beards to " blend in" but thats a different matter.

If I can be honest, I'm glad we aren't allowed to have beards in the Armed Force's. I think growing a beard while serving brings down our professional appearance. Not to mention that before soldiers fight to be allowed to grow beards, maybe they should ensure that they are passing other military standards.

When I was an 0311 marine , we would go in the field for weeks at a time. Sometimes according to training you might be able to go a couple days without shaving. But you always had some caring officer who would jump you and make you shave .

First you still have to get a wavier and evaluation before you can enlist if you have had Psychotic events. Its always been that way. They also had to relook at the Regulation due to PTSD.

Second I have a real issue with you calling full sleeve tattoos unprofessional how so? a lot of us have them in memory of lost friends from the War we have been fighting since 01..

As for a beard really... why I personally hate that a moustache is allowed.. I think they look bad.. and that is my opinion I see service members with them all the time, I don't think they are unprofessional I just think they look bad.. except on Chuck Norris his is just bad A$$...

While serving in the Army in Germany when terrorism was on the rise at the time, the debate on beards was a big topic. Facial hair may have made American soldiers less identifiable in the general public. This may have been a good idea. On the flip side was having a beard in a tactical situation. If the need came to wear a mask, what would be the result? It was proven the mask would not seal properly, resulting in unneeded injury or death. So my feeling when serving overseas, where a beard with grooming guidelines. When deployed, it comes off for your own protection.

If you can’t grow a beard grow one of these. That’ll show ,em.

My thoughts on it are this it's part of being disciplined like making a bed or polishing our boots. Now that I've said that I have no problem with have a beard in combat