Some of the above is why the Army lost its lawsuit. And other services will lose too for at least the same reasons if they don't let Sikhs serve with beards.
In the British Military if a man could grow a mustache he was required to. At least up until after WW2.
Many British officers had beards
1) The services grant thousands of beard waivers for medical reasons
Yes, I am aware of many in the service walking around with butter knives trying to “pop” in-grown hairs. Been there, seen that; mostly blacks and anyone else that catches on that they don’t have to shave if they can med out.
2) Deployed special ops units are often allowed to grow beards
Because it is counter productive for the enemy to unleash chem or bio in their own area. A no brainer as they are forward deployed and blending into culture.
3) Beards were not universally barred until the 1980s
Selectivity. Get real and quit cherry picking. Commands would not allow beards prior to 1980. Maybe way out in the Pacific when Navy and Marines were nowhere near port. Otherwise, nah.
4) Sikhs with beards have used gas masks and they work fine
Bullshit. I have been through a CS “gas attack” in the open in 29 palms back in 1990 with wind blowing after not shaving for 14 days. Snot for days and eyes watering to boot. Gas masks did not seal. Get the fuq outta here...A beard will not allow a good seal.
You seem to think I have something against a Sihk. I do not. What I have is something against guys going the extra effort because one guy out of many can’t seem to grasp that he is putting others at risk because he wants to join our services and then claim a special privilege. Fuq that. Mr. Bearded needs to quit being selfish and make a damn decision.