Assuming you enjoy shooting, did you stop practice shooting once you became proficient? Or do you still practice?
I would hate to have soldiers die for vanity, FRiend.
Having been a soldier, and subsequently sporting facial hair for many years, I understand both sides, but will choose the life of our service members every time.
It’s not an either or. The risk of chemical attack is low. The training is not that hard.
Btw the Israelis have masks that seal just fine with beards. And even ours seal with short beards. So it’s really much ado about nothing.