The original reason why armies forbade their soldiers from wearing beards is because it gave their enemy something to grab onto while they wielded their swords down on the neck.
It’s true that there aren’t too many sword fights in the war arenas these days, so one can only assume that this is Obama’s way of destroying morale and discipline amongst his military, probably in order to make them more easily controlled.
Or, it’s an appeasement his God, Allah. Beats me.
It’s very difficult to properly seal a gas mask while adorned with a bushy beard.
That’s the reason given as to why we had to shave when I was in the Army (43 years ago).
I am unaware of any advances in mask technology that eliminates this problem.