Why can't we grow beards?

In the Navy, I had a beard from the time I started studying Russian at DLI until 1984 when they were banned. The reason given was that they wanted us to look "professional". I was part of the aircrew aboard P-3's and deployed with VPU-1 extensively. Beards were never a problem. Ignorant, B.S. posturing from high above was the issue. There are ZERO reasons not to have beards. Other militaries have beards, and there are no issues. Having recruiting and retention issues? Get rid of dumb rules like this and join the 21st century.

There are a myriad of reasons why you are not allowed to grow a beard. Trying to keep it clean in the field comes to mind, facial recognition in an AOR would be another. Depending on just how full your beard actually is, face furr could interfere with your spot weld on a rifle as well. If you have a facial complexion that you would like to cover with a beard, I would suggest that you consult with your military physician/flight surgeon as to whether you can medically claim that you need to have a beard. Then it would be a close cropped beard that follows your facial lines and not look like something from "Duck Dynasty".

Dumb rule for combat !

Beards for certain reasons are allowed, but are at the discretion of the commander. Specialized units who make contact with certain groups of people are authorized to wear beards, and those soldiers have to shave once their special duty is over. Soldiers who have a medical condition are authorized by regulation to wear a beard neatly kept, and a certain length at the discretion of their commander. If the commander deems the wear of the beard a detriment to the soldiers health and welfare, or it impedes the use of life sustaining equipment the commander can require that the soldier shave. I'm sure that there are other reasons for the wear of the beard being regulated by the Army. The SMA said he did not have an issue with boards in the Army. He didn't say one way or another about pushing that to the policy makers. Personally I believe that if a soldier can't keep the standards in other areas then the beard would be too much of a distraction for that soldier. We have to be fair and equitable in making policy calls. It will be up to those who want to wear the beard to formerly request the change to the standards through proper channels just like the religious groups of soldiers got a waiver to wear certain augmentations to the uniform for religious reasons.

Speaking only for the COAST GUARD during the 60's and 70's enlisted and officers alike were allowed beards as long as you got a 'chit' approved by your immediate command. In the northern reaches ie. Alaska, Great lakes, etc beards were encouraged as they would save your face from frostbite. I was stationed on the Mississippi after boot camp. I showed up a couple days early with about 10 days growth and was told by my chief that I could keep it if I trimmed it. I kept a full beard until I was stationed at COTP/MSO Baltimore were I wore a goatee. To get in the CG I had to get a congressional waiver because of a speeding ticket. Drugs n alcohol were forbidden as was mental irregularities. Times have changed but I hope those requirements haven't.

Beards can get in the way Emergency mask NBC attacks.

It doesn't matter. To sacrifice a beard to be part of something others are unwilling, too afraid, or incapable of doing seems a small price to pay.

Your thoughts dont mean dick. You're supposed to shave every day so do it or get out. Join the Salvation Army. Or the girl scouts.

Oh really??? Hell Cpl. even our civilian Work Place Saftey Group AKA OSHA is death on using a respirator with a beard IE if you wear a beard that inhibits a good seal your dead!!! The answer is that "other nations" do NOT fear the use of Chemical, Biological or Radiological weapons even thou that yes two out of the big three have been used!!! Iraq, Syria... Remember Uncle Sam will have to pay if you do not wear a mask correctly, directly to your parents. Because you will not survive.
Hell, Cpl just for fun how about you do the dying roach dance on the floor...

Just to be a bit of a smart ass... Have you seen the raggedy, scraggly beards most males have until they hit their mid 20's or later? About half the first term enlistees and Lieutenants would need face wigs.