Why can't we grow beards?

Its funny how fast every time a new AR 670-1 comes out female standards are revised but nothing really changes for men. I personally think that I would look terrible in a beard but for those that could rock it ....

You can go to Louisiana and sell "duck calls". Beards are recommended. Today's fads have resulted in the lack of discipline across the board. Most of it has been the political figures wanting the military to resemble non-military life. In the military is it usually a 25 year life cycle--remember when the Navy could wear beards under Zumwalt. We now have the appease the minority [and I not talking about race] crowd--new uniforms [WWII], different hair standards, proposed changes to the UCMJ, give little Johnny and Jane the Tattoos they want, claim to have religious restrictions to get special meals and treatment, and get a participation ribbon for showing up for the campaign. Leadership is a separate subject.

Being in the new soft Army, I am in the process of getting a religious shave profile since it cannot be denied for all personnel who are muslim.
As a person of the Islamic faith (solely for Army purposes only) I have now fully announced you muslim, and you are to have a beard as well by the doctrine.
Hope this helped, Sergeant :)

The military has gone to shit just like the rest if the world forget standards and holding people accountable

Thats easy gas masks

I’ll bet part of the reason is because the reg would be very hard to write and with all the other appearances problems I wouldn’t have wanted tha hassle of enforcing it when I served. Look any group picture of special operations people. Nearly all will have on and no two will be alike or close to it.

Can't you have the norse pagen (sp?) Religion and not have to shave because of that? Just maintain your appearance? Or am I wrong?

I’ve had my beard for five years and it has won awards. However, I am willing to part with it if I am permitted to serve again. Even then, I will grow a short one between drill weekends, as my facial hair grows fast.

From what I understand, the main reason why they are not allowed is because of our Protective Masks not being able to seal.

I feel that a professional appearance can be maintained with a full beard and I have demonstrated that in the private sector.

When I served all the uniformity was a necessary part of discipline to me, part of teaching responsibility. While I know it can and does get old even today the code is viewed as a signature part of who we are and what we stood for, to me the code needs to stay.

Shut up and do your job!