Why can't we grow beards?

Because you'll look like the ENEMY...

Depending on the type mask and how long you be wearing. I would advise you not to have a beard. Those with beards will pay the price if a bio agent is used verse CS.

If you can’t grow a beard, sounds more like a genetic problem.

As far as the military is concerned, look and dress the part.

Navy used to allow senior officers to have beards, but that was an old salior tradition.

There is no reason to have a beard. Mental and physical fitness are part of the military and people are separated if they cannot meet the standards.

Which is another point, military has standards for a reason. Discipline, honor, professionalism...

If you’re worried about your looks, perhaps you choose the wrong profession.

By the way, I have a beard by no means am I anti-facial hair.

Well CPL (P) Cody Voye, try sealing your gas mask properly with a tight fit to save your hide in a Bio-Chemical attack; then ask that question again afterward provided you have survived! :)

Go join another army if you don't like our Army's rules. I'm growing tired of whining youngsters. If the Army can't have rules, no one can.

Try and get a job with LEO or fire Department and ask them if you can have a full beard. Go ahead I'll wait. Military has a uniform code. Don't like it don't sign up. Plain and simple.

" GAS" GAS" GAS" get it yet? That's why.

I was in the Navy back when they still allowed mustache and beards, and saw the transition in the regs that no longer allowed them (pic is from 84 off the coast of Beirut when the Cowboys cheerleaders were onboard for USO). Their main concern was in an NBC environment and the facial hair causing a problem with a seal on the mask and or the beard possibly acting like container or sponge and collecting materials in the initial exposure before the mask was applied. Yeah there were some unhappy squids at having to shave, but safety and serviceability first.

Now today we see Spec OPs operating in the field with beards, but I think their command feels their ability to blend in outweighs the risk of an NBC attack in their current mission.

The Army does issue waivers to wear a beard, because of health or religious reasons, but length and style are regulated. If you can, try this experiment. Grow a full length beard and then enter a gas chamber. Then try to seal your protective mask. Bet you can't. Also, see how much longer it takes you to clear the CS from your beard than the soldiers who do not have a beard. Now imagine if the chemical was a lethal agent. How long would you survive w/ your beard? A bit of history here: The Greeks if antiquity shaved, because they found that your opponent can grab your beard and put you at a decided disadvantage.

I shave every two days except when I go to Nana