The ban was introduced in 1985, meaning that out of our 247-year naval history, during only 37 years have beards been disallowed.
The U.S. Coast Guard allowed beards until 1986, when they were banned by Commandant Admiral Paul Yost. The majority of police forces in the United States still ban their officers from wearing beards.
Facial hair policies differ across Australia's air force, navy and army. Royal Australian Navy personnel are only allowed to grow beards when they have permission. They must abide by the regulations that require beards to be "neat, trim and closely cropped, to a minimum bulk of 4mm and a maximum of 50mm".
Instituted in 1985, the Navy's ban marked a major reversal, given that for much of the service's history, sailors were allowed to wear beards. Adm.
World War II: Saving Water and Razors
During WWII, most naval officers opted for the clean-shaven look. Enlisted sailors were much more lax in their standards, especially for submariners. Although all beards and mustaches had to be kept trim, they were often encouraged on submarines for its use in saving water.
In 1916, the regulation was dropped and troops were allowed to be clean-shaven again. This was largely because such a superficial requirement was getting ignored in the trenches of WWI, especially as they could sometimes get in the way of a good gas mask seal.
World War I was the first conflict where shaving was required. There were two reasons: to get a proper fit and seal on the gas mask and personal hygiene. Beards were outlawed, and the maximum permitted hair length was one inch.
Trivia answer: Special Operations Forces are allowed to have beards and long hair so that they have the opportunity to blend in with the communities they work in, such as in Afghanistan, where beards are common. Senka Doležal and 156 others like this.
On this day in 1986 is a day many sailors will never forget... It's the day Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Yost banned the wearing of beards by Coast Guard personnel. Tim Monroe and 684 others like this.
The razor finally dropped in 1984 when CNO Adm. James D. Watkins banned all beards. The concern that a sailor with a beard would not be able to gain a proper seals with his emergency breathing apparatus frequently was given as the reason.
In a break from tradition, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) members are now allowed to grow and wear beards.
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."
The Royal Navy are allowed to grow beards. British soldiers used to be allowed to grow beards however that has been banned and now they have to parade clean shaven. Growing a beard can increase moral, and we believe this change could contribute to operational effectiveness as a result.
In Germany soldiers were allowed to grow beards. This only stopped when the Third Reich came to power. However, in the 20th century beards became much less prominent. World War I marked a general change from beards and elaborate facial hair for men to the clean-shaven look.
Facial hair must be properly groomed and no longer than 2 inches in length extending from the face outward. Uniforms and equipment may either be those prescribed here or those authorized at the time of their retirement.
When some service members put the uniform away, the razor goes away with it. Once troops escape the grooming regulations that have kept their facial hair in check, they are more than ready to embrace the scruff. Styles and lengths might vary, but beards serve as a way to mark the move into the civilian sector.
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.
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.
The hair on the top of the head must be neatly groomed and not bulky. The length of the hair must not present a ragged, unkempt or extreme appearance and any form of length or bulk that detracts from a professional military appearance is prohibited.
The U.S. military's elite special operations consisted of physically challenging training and missions, which have been difficult for women to complete. There's also training to become special warfare combatant craft crewmen.
According to the Navy, only the head, face and scalp are off limits. The neck and behind the ear may have one tat but it should be restricted to one inch. Additionally, tattoos on the torso should not be visible through the white uniform shirt. For the rest of the body, there is no restriction on size and placement.
Greek beards were frequently curled with tongs to keep them tidy and looking full. Soldiers always ensured their beards were well cared for and before battle would make them look just right.
Shaving every morning, especially with the blades of the time, was not supposed to be a simple task, but the Romans did it. For the soldiers, shaving meant maintaining authority, discipline and a sense of Romanism.
Facial Hair
Mustaches were generally not permitted in the German Army. Those that did wear them did not let them extend past the corners of the mouth. Beards were forbidden by regulation, except by Mountain Troops, or for medical reasons that prevented a soldier from shaving.
In the eighteenth century, however, shifting attitudes towards facial hair reflected broader changes in ideas about 'polite' male appearance. By 1700, displaying facial hair had become increasingly unfashionable, and even to some extent stigmatised. The clean-shaven face was now generally the male standard in Europe.