House introduces legislation to allow airmen and Space Force Guardians to grow beards

Washington Examiner ^ | May 23, 2024 | Annabella Rosciglione

[mbrfl]

The House is considering a new program that would allow those in the Air Force and Space Force to grow beards.

The House Armed Services Committee added the beard proposal to the committee’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation would be the strongest reform on facial hair for service members to date.

The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), would have the Air Force secretary “establish a pilot program to allow members of the Air Force and Space Force to grow beards.” They would then study “the effect of beard growth on discipline, morale and unity within the ranks,” as well as a determination “whether allowing members to grow beards improves inclusivity.”

Currently, beards are not permitted in any branch of the military. Neat and well-kept mustaches are permitted.

Still, beards are allowed for airmen and Guardians so long as they have a religious or medical accommodation. Still, if you have a waiver, one must “keep all facial hair trimmed to the same length and it may not to exceed 1/4-inch in length.”

[mbrfl]

There’s always an agenda with the left. Change one rule at a time until things are unrecognizable ten years from now. Make small changes that may not big a big deal by themselves then its on to the next one. Will face tattoo’s and nose rings be next?

[GenXPolymath]

11 years small teams myself. We never worried about sealing a mask we knew we were dead if the enemy went NBC so why bother;fight till you drop and rig your body as a trap for those who find it.

[Flaming Conservative]

No. At least it will keep out possible jihadis.

[ocrp1982]

This has nothing to do with SpecOps, Recon, etc...this is a general policy change and is political, not operational. It is meant to accommodate and appease a certain group that Leftists furthering their infiltration into our military are stealthily, under cover of “Fairness” are using to undermine our last bastion of patriotism. Our Military. They have infiltrated our Churches, our schools at all levels, our traditional institutions like the Scouts, etc... our military is their ultimate objective. It’s the one institution of American Patriotism that they desire the most.
If they corrupt and absorb this institution they believe they have free reign to eliminate our Constitution and our individual rights.

[Boomer]

The Navy and Coast Guard allowed beards until 1983.

I think it was Admiral Zumwalt who started allowing beards.

Zumwalt assumed duties as Chief of Naval Operations and was promoted to full admiral on July 1, 1970, and quickly began a series of moves intended to reduce racism and sexism in the Navy. These were disseminated in Navy-wide communications known as "Z-grams". These included orders authorizing beards (sideburns, mustaches, and longer groomed hair were also acceptable) and introducing beer-dispensing machines to barracks.

[gnarledmaw]

It was 40 years ago also but you had to be black, well, be a person that has the super tight tiny curls of coarse hair.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae. If you werent black you werent getting a waiver though, you just had to toughen up.

[gnarledmaw]

Wont make a difference. According to regs we could have mustaches, in reality, only the guy that spent the most time drinking with the top ranks in the department got to wear a giant pornstache, anyone else was harassed until they whittled it down to a Hitler toothbrush and cut it off in frustration.

[Flint]

Got to provide jobs to all those military aged Muslim illegals coming across the border. Heck we’ve had at least four of them trying to get on our military bases, likely more that have succeeded. Now Uncle Joe can just sign up the illegals and put them in uniforms and give them military ID’s and benefits.

[x]

Still, beards are allowed for airmen and Guardians so long as they have a religious or medical accommodation. Still, if you have a waiver, one must “keep all facial hair trimmed to the same length and it may not to exceed 1/4-inch in length.”

Big Barbershop is backing this plan.

[Jonah Hex]

Just a note: Back on the USS Ustafish, we officially shaved beards to ensure a good OBA seal during damage control (smoke, chlorine, baked bean night, cigars in the goat locker, etc.) to continue breathing. That said, "what happens on patrol, stays on patrol", so it wasn't unusual to see a returning boat manned by a bunch of scruffy pirates tied up to the pier.

"Arrr...."

[Lizavetta]

I know in other fields blacks have fought to allow facial hair because they said they are prone to ingrown hairs from shaving.

[mbrfl]

Interesting. Thanks.