Why can't we grow beards?

BLUF - it is outdated - the "cant seal your mask" line is bovine fecal matter - if our allies, who have to face the same threats we do , can have neatly trimmed beards and they do not have issues utilizing a pro-mask, then a) our pro masks suck, or b) we are fed some bovine fecal matter. call a spade a spade, this rule is one of those "because I said so" rules.

I was taught that you need a tight seal on MOP gear. As a volunteer firefighter we are not supposed to have beards. I have worn my SCBA in a fire with a full beard and I was OK.

No problem...just change your religion to Sikhism and you can wear the turbin and grow a beard. NOW BEFORE I GET HATE RESPONSES...I am not picking on Sikhs...very peaceful religion. I am picking on the Army for allowing them to wear beards an turbins which makes them anything but uniform...it is called a uniform for a reason!!!

Antiquated perception of professionalism, plain and simple. To argue otherwise is intelligently dishonest. Change needs to come. Shaving cost Soldiers hundreds of dollars a does nothing to improve any significant area of being a “Soldier”

You absolutely CAN grow a beard. As long as it remains beneath the surface of your skin.

So let’s look at this from another perspective: with the active targeting by several groups abroad or here at home, the “typical” military appearance has, in my opinion, become a force protection issue. High & tights and clean shaven faces immediately expose your military affiliation. I’ve spent the vast majority of my career with Special Forces who routinely have beards etc and I can tell you they are by far the most professional people I have ever worked with. I get the whole professional appearance thing, but a lot of times we overlook someone’s ability to soldier in favor of focusing on the fact that their mustache extends 1/32” past the corner of the mouth, or that their bun isn’t in the proper position etc.

To all those that say facial hair is unprofessional, would you consider a member with a no shaving profile as looking unprofessional?

If we allow it for medical reasons, which means no trimming or line up, then why not allow members to grow them and keep them well maintained?

I think the Australians/Canadians have it right (can’t remeber which country as it was RimPac) they allow their members to grow facial hair for a week, and if the Sgt. thinks it looks good in uniform then that member is allowed to grow it while keeping it in standards. That would prevent what most of the “frozen middle” are afraid of, Joe Dirt beards.

Protective mask seal.

Because I said so. Now go finish your vegetables.

That's why I joined the NAVY!