Why can't we grow beards?

I think I answered this once before but I'll do it again. The simple answer is Gas. The army changed it's regs regarding beards during the First World War when it was discovered that gas masks do not seal over beards. While it is true that presenting a soldierly appearance is important, battlefield survivability is even more so.
There are loads of arguments for and against beards -- including tradition, societal norms, etc. etc. etc. But the plain truth of it is that, unless you are subject to special regs (i.e. covert operations, shaving profile, etc), you need to keep your cheeks, neck and chin clear of hair to allow your gas mask to seal properly. That is why this reg will not change, regardless of how popular beards become.

With this comment, I must add that don't understand either why if you are prior military why the military doesn't allow you to re enlist because of having a controlled health issue,but yet allow criteria's that shouldn't truly be allowed such criminal background.

I just read an article the other day about Sikhs are allowed to wear beards due to religious reasons. People that follow European paganism (think Norse Mythology) have now been authorized to wear beards for reigiois purposes too. So if you always wanted to look like Thor or Zeus, now you can but don't expect a cross on your headstone though! (There are ways around that too though!)
Good luck Warrior!
Until Valhalla!

I don't really agree with the whole psychotic people being allowed in thing. I just went through MEPS a few months ago and there was a lot of people DQ for less. I also don't think it's fair to pick at people's mental health as a whole because that is a real issue in today's military. Mental Health and the stigma that goes along with it (from statements like the one in the posed question) is a big reason why some of our brothers attempt to or succeed in taking their own lives. Now, that being said, I think that a shaven face does look professional. However, a beard can be neatly kept and edged up with little effort and it would be just as professional. I the the shaven face= professionalism concept is outdated. I also don't believe that a beard would break the seal enough on a promask to render it ineffective. I think beards are more field expedient as well. If one looks mangy, that soldier could be counseled on maintaining a professional appearance. It wouldn't be a headache because solder's get counseled on literally every other minute detail there is and those are not labeled "headaches". I'm with SSG(P) (Join to see) on this one. Hey why not?

Beards are for pirates. We are not pirates. Professional military members are clean shaven. What else should we dispense with? Ironing uniforms? Daily bathing? Hair cuts at all? If you don't think it matters to have discipline and uniformity (which cannot be accomplished with beards) in the ranks, then there is no talking to you. Even the special forces take the beard thing too far. Do the taliban really think they cannot discern US SF from the regular Afghanis? Really? Most SF have no need for beards unless working undercover in a mostly bearded country. When operating in uniform, why they have beards escapes me. In civilian law enforcement, we always joke that identifying undercover cops was easy. Look for the guy with the beard.

The reason is that you can not seal your protective mask with a beard. This the same reason that many fire departments have the same rule. That and as a firefighter you don't want fuel on your face.

I hear multiple reasons against, but I don't think the Army really practically considered anything other than their own reasoning against.

I have no religious exception, I don't want to look operator, and in most locations the "gas mask seal," is a kneejerk (and totally garbage) argument against wearing a beard.

All I want is to not have to shave my nearly trimmed beard for drill. A beard that I very intentionally keep neatly trimmed.

The military has been policing hair for a number of decades now, beards wouldn't be all that drastic of a change. All it would require is a little adaptation. Something of which every soldier should be capable.

And for you people saying that I have a beard.... I've been out for 10 years. I'm allowed to be a broke dick hippie now.

Prior to WWI servicmen and even presidents had beards and other facial hair. That all changed with the great war. Why? Simply put, WWI saw the first use of chemical warfare and your mask won't seal correctly with facial hair. It's not about style, it's for safety you broke dick hippies.

Your gas mask won't seal properly with facial hair.