BBC News Scotland

British servicemen grow beards?

In UK armed forces its only the Navy who have regulations which allow the growing of a beard but normally thats on a long voyage, as it would have to be full grown before you were given shore leave (my dad was RN 26 years) . All my Army service it was moustache only in British Army, in Norwegian you could have beard or moustache, I see in this interesting article that for tactical and safety reasons the British are relaxing the regs on Beards. So Question is the US military in Afghanistan doing the same ?? I am pretty sure I have seen US spec forces sporting full beards, and I think I saw a photo of the hero Lt Micheal Murphy sporting one. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6500269.stm Good point about NBC and wearing a mask, would you not think that would be an excellent way of smoking out taliban from caves use gas, their beards are so long they could never wear a gasmask, Gas Gas Gas, in 9 secs !!! ah the fake air force guy is back yet again with a new ID, the Nineteen Questions one got deleted but he is back. Retired from active military equals being a reservist, if you do not know what a reservist is, do not show your ignorance on here.

Public Comments

1. Not really, it probably is an extension of Don't ask don't tell.
2. SF does it to blend in with locals better. Most U.S. forces are mustache only. This is due to NBC gear where a beard would prevent a good seal. This is the same as our civilian regulations in certain industries, for the same reasons (safety equipment fit).