Effective 22 January 2014, the U.S. military expanded its policies on religious accommodation and now allows all officer and enlisted personnel to request permission to wear beards and articles of clothing for religious reasons.
Navy and Marine Corps regulations require troops to remove facial hair, including those whose Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths call for beards as a sign of fidelity. Additionally, Sikhs are forced to cut their hair, contrary to their devotion. The Army and the Air Force do not have such restrictions.
Under the new guidelines, Muslim and Sikh servicemen will be able to wear beards, provided they are shorter than 2 in., rolled up or tied. Turbans, patka (under turbans), as well as head scarves or hijab for women, are permitted under the new rules.
Currently, beards are allowed in the Air Force only with religious exemptions or with a medical shaving waivers.
In observance of your [xxxxx] faith, you may wear [a beard, turban, and uncut hair] [a beard] [a hijab] in accordance with Army uniform and grooming standards for Soldiers with approved religious accommodations.
A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. Sgt.
"The British Royal Air Force and the Canadian armed forces allow facial hair; the Dutch and Swedish militaries permit them in many circumstances.
BLUF. In a break from tradition, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) members are now allowed to grow and wear beards.
Excluding limited exemptions for religious accommodation, the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have policies that prohibit beards on the basis of hygiene and the necessity of a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks.
So far, the Air Force has banned beards for all except those who have five-year medical waivers for pseudofolliculitis barbae, or chronic razor bumps, or religious waivers for those for whom beards are central to their observance, like Sikhs, Jews, Muslims and Norse Heathens.
The simple answer is yes. The purported values of the United States include liberty, freedom, and tolerance of religions.
Navy and Marine Corps regulations require troops to remove facial hair, including those whose Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths call for beards as a sign of fidelity. Additionally, Sikhs are forced to cut their hair, contrary to their devotion. The Army and the Air Force do not have such restrictions.
With the exception of approved religious headwear, religious items or articles not visible or otherwise apparent may be worn with the uniform, provided they do not interfere with the performance of the member's military duties, or interfere with the proper wearing of any authorized article of the uniform. 3.
Lieutenant Commander Nate Christensen, a Pentagon spokesman, said for the first time the Defense Department's policy encouraged acceptance in the military of beards, long hair and articles of clothing worn for religious reasons so long as they do not interfere with good order and discipline.
Some religions (such as some sects of Islam, and Sikhism) have considered a full beard to be essential and mandate it as part of their observance.
British Army
"There has been no change in Army policy regarding beards, which can only be grown with the Commanding Officer's authority. Exceptions are usually only granted on medical or religious grounds, or where tradition permits."
Growing a beard in the military
Beards were prohibited across all branches for two reasons: Hygiene and the need for a good seal while wearing a gas mask.
For decades, U.S. military leaders have prohibited service members from growing beards, arguing that facial hair not only disrupts a clean, professional appearance, but also interferes with the seal of a gas mask, oxygen mask or other devices that service members wear to survive hazardous environments.
4. Russia. Historically, Russian soldiers rocked beards but then Peter the Great completely banned them from the army. Peter also made mustaches a requirement for every soldier excluding officers but the ban on beards in Russian Armed Services endures even today.
The ADF has a strict policy regarding personal appearance. The acceptability of tattoos and body piercings will be assessed on a case by case basis by Defence Force Recruiting. If you are considering getting either please contact us for guidance as this may affect your application.
The Army already allows tattoos on soldiers' arms and legs as long as they do not become visible above the collar. Face tattoos are prohibited, and soldiers are not allowed to cover up tattoos with bandages or wrappings to comply with the policy, officials said.
Tajikistan. Beards are discouraged by the government for most men in Tajikistan in an effort to battle radicalism. Only clean-shaven men can apply for a passport.
No. But you will be required to have a haircut (as a male) that conforms to current military regulations.
Many religions, including Sikhism, Islam, and sects of Judaism, require that men and women do not cut their hair or that men do not shave their beards.
It is not one of the compulsory pillars of Islam, like prayer or fasting."