Facial hair in the military - wikipedia Facial hair in the military hide This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. ( Learn how and when to remove these template messages ) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2010 ) This article 's lead section does not adequately summarize key points of its contents. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. Please discuss this issue on the article 's talk page. ( April 2011 ) During the 19th century, soldiers and officers sported various type of moustaches, goatees, beards or sideburns. Facial hair in the military has been at various times common, prohibited, or an integral part of the uniform. Contents 1 Asia 1.1 India 1.2 Iran 1.3 Iraq 1.4 Israel 1.5 Lebanon 1.6 Pakistan 1.7 Nepal 1.8 South Korea 1.9 Sri Lanka 1.10 Syria 2 Europe 2.1 Belgium 2.2 Austria 2.3 Croatia 2.4 Denmark 2.5 Finland 2.6 France 2.7 Germany 2.8 Greece 2.9 Ireland 2.10 Italy 2.11 Netherlands 2.12 Norway 2.13 Portugal 2.14 Russia 2.15 Spain 2.16 Serbia 2.17 Sweden 2.18 Turkey 2.19 Ukraine 2.20 United Kingdom 3 Americas 3.1 Mexico 3.2 Argentina 3.3 Brazil 3.4 Canada 3.5 Colombia 3.6 United States 3.6. 1 Exceptions for religious accommodation 4 Oceania 4.1 Australia 5 References Asia India Out of respect to their religion, Sikhs are allowed to grow beards in the Indian army An Indian Army Para ( SF ) operator with a full beard. General Bikram Singh of the Indian Army Admiral D.K. Joshi of the Indian Navy with a five o'clock shadow In the armed forces and police of India, male Sikh servicemen are allowed to wear full beards as their religion expressly requires followers to do so. However, they are specifically required to `` dress up their hair and beard properly ''. In fact, in Sikh - only units such as the Indian Army 's Sikh Regiment and Sikh Light Infantry there have been instances of personnel being transferred out of the unit by their commanding officer for their refusal to wear a beard and grow their hair out as required by the Sikh religion, although no official regulation exists on this. Non-Sikh personnel are allowed to grow whiskers and moustaches, with the only regulation being that `` will be of moderate length ''. In December 2003, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Muslims in uniform can grow beards. Thus, non-Muslims and non-Sikhs serving in the Indian Army or the Indian Air Force are not permitted to wear beards. However, Army personnel on active duty are sometimes exempt from facial hair regulations for the duration of their tour of duty if their deployment makes access to such facilities difficult. Indian Navy personnel are allowed to grow beards subject to the permission of their commanding officer. Exceptions for other religions are made in the case of special forces operatives like the army 's Para ( Special Forces ) soldiers and the navy 's MARCOS commandos who are allowed to grow beards. Iran Beards are permitted in the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a sign of their ideological motivation, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( Sepah ) personnel used to tend to wear full beards but now they usually shave them. while the Islamic Republic of Iran Army ( Artesh ) personnel are usually trimmed or wear mustaches. Iraq Beards to a certain length were traditionally permitted in the Iraqi security forces, however a ban was brought into effect in April 2012 due to public associations between beards and certain sectarian militias in Iraq. As a result of the change Iraqi soldiers and police must now be clean shaven. Under the rule of Saddam Hussein, beards were not allowed in the army and in military service, only a mustache. Hussein did not allow any one to grow a beard under his rule. Israel The IDF prohibits the growing of facial hair unless a special request form has been filed and approved. The requests can be for religious reasons ( full beard only ), health reasons such as acne ( no restrictions on facial hair styles ), and on the grounds of `` free will '', which means the facial hair ( mustache, a goatee or a full beard all of which must be well groomed ) has to be part of the soldiers identity and part of his self - esteem. If the request is due to health reasons, it must be approved by the military doctor and lasts up to half a year. if the request is due to religious reasons or `` free will '', it must be approved by an officer at the rank of Major, that is acquainted with the soldier, for religious requests the form must be approved additional by a military Rabbi, who usually conducts an interview, and finally by an Adjutant officer. The exemption from shaving expires only if the soldier shaves his facial hair willingly. Lebanon Beards are not allowed in the Lebanese Armed Forces. Only trimmed moustaches that do n't pass the upper lip are permitted. Pakistan Beards are permitted in Pakistan Army. They are allowed only on special request is approved. The requests are generally for religious reasons and for health reasons, such as acne or skin allergy. Once the form has been approved applicant is not allowed to shave back. There is a special allowance for bigger moustaches but they must be neat and trimmed. Nepal Currently, moustaches and beards are not within regulations in the Nepal Army. In the past, moustaches was popular in the Gorkhali Army commanders and soldiers. Military commanders of Kshatriya order ( called Kshetri in Nepal ) especially of five Kaji noble family Thapa, Pande, Kunwar, Basnet and Bista used to linked moustaches to dignity. However, with changing times, it became apparent that facial hair can break seals on gas masks, and thus a liability. Thus regulations do not allow for facial hair. Despite this, many soldiers can still be spotted with facial hair, especially when stationed in remote areas, away from the eyes of the press, and if their unit commanders are willing to look the other way. Mul kaji ( Chief Kazi ) General Damodar Pande Portrait of Prime Minister and Commander - In - Chief, Mathabar Singh Thapa in National Museum of Nepal, Chhauni Sardar General Ram Krishna Kunwar Mulkaji General Abhiman Singh Basnet, leader of the Basnyat family Moustasched Hindu Gorkhali soldier with Khukuri - in - mouth pose photographed 1915 AD at France South korea Beards are not allowed in the South Korean Armed Forces. Sri lanka The Navy does not allow moustaches alone, but does allow full - set beards. Moustaches but not beards are permitted in the Army and Air Force. However, members of the Commando and Special Forces regiments are allowed to wear beards if based outside their home camps. Syria Beards are not allowed in the Syrian Army. Trimmed moustaches, however, are allowed. Europe Belgium The Belgian Armed Forces permits moustaches and beards, but they have to be properly trimmed. Austria The Austrian Armed Forces permits moustaches, beards and sideburns, as long as they are neatly trimmed. Croatia The Republic of Croatia Armed Forces permits moustaches for soldiers and non-commissioned officers. Officers are allowed to wear neatly trimmed beards. Furthermore, beards are not only allowed, but fully recommended for members of special operations teams when deployed. Denmark Danish Army personnel are generally allowed to wear any well - kept beard. Stubble, however, is not allowed. Full beards are popular among units deployed in Afghanistan, as it is easier to maintain when in the field. This also helps break down cultural barriers between the Danish and the Afghans, as most Afghan men wear full beards, and because many Danes grow red - coloured beards, an Afghan symbol of bravery. Soldiers who belong to Den Kongelige Livgarde ( The Royal Life Guards ) are not allowed to have beards when on guard duty. Additionally, Danish soldiers are not required to have short haircuts, though most have. Finland The regulations of the Finnish Defence Forces ( Rule 91 ) prohibit the growing of a moustache, a beard or long hair. Reservists can grow moustache, beard or long hair. France The sappers ( `` sapeurs '' ) of the French Foreign Legion traditionally wear large beards. Since the Napoleonic era and throughout the 19th century, sappers ( combat engineers ) of the French Army could wear full beards. Elite troops, such as grenadiers, had to wear large moustaches. Infantry chasseurs were asked to wear moustaches and goatees ; and hussars, in addition to their moustache, usually wore two braids in front of each ear, to protect their neck from sword slashes. These traditions were gradually abandoned since the beginning of the 20th century, except for the French Foreign Legion sappers ( see below ). The `` decree No 75 - 675 regarding regulations for general discipline in the Armies of 28 July 1975, modified '' regulates facial hair in the French armed forces. Military personnel are allowed to grow a beard or moustache only during periods when they are out of uniform. The beard must be `` correctly trimmed '', and provisions are stated for a possible ban of beards by the military authorities to ensure compatibility with certain equipment. However, within the Foreign Legion, sappers are traditionally encouraged to grow a large beard. Sappers chosen to participate in the Bastille Day parade are in fact specifically asked to stop shaving so they will have a full beard when they march down the Champs - Élysées. The moustache was an obligation for gendarmes until 1933. By tradition, some gendarmes may still grow a moustache. Submariners may be bearded, clean - shaven, or `` patrol - bearded '', growing a beard for the time of a patrol in reminiscence of the time of the diesel submarines whose cramped space allowed for rustic and minimal personal care. French soldiers of the First World War were known by the nickname poilu, meaning `` hairy one '' in reference to their facial hair. Germany In the Third Reich - era Wehrmacht, facial hair beyond a small neatly trimmed moustache was against regulations, though such regulations were often relaxed under field conditions. The latter was particularly true in the case of the Kriegsmarine and Gebirgsjäger. Growth of a full beard was the norm for U-boat crews on active duty, though facial hair was expected to be shaved off soon after reaching port. The present - day regulations of the Bundeswehr allow soldiers to grow a beard on condition that it be trimmed, unobtrusive and well - kept. Beards must not impact the proper use of any military equipment, such as a gas mask. Moreover, stubble may not be shown ; thus a clean - shaven soldier who wants to start growing a beard must do so during his furlough. Greece In the Greek armed forces, only the navy permits military personnel to wear a beard. Neatly trimmed moustaches are the only facial hair permitted in the army and air force. Ireland The growing of beards is not permitted in any branch of the Irish Defence Forces with exception of the Army Ranger Wing. Moustaches are permitted with permission. Sideburns are not allowed beyond ear length. The Irish police force similarly does not allow any uniformed members to grow beards, but does allow moustaches on the upper lip and ear length sideburns. Italy In the Italian armed forces, beards or moustaches are allowed, but well taken care of it ; without beards, the sideburns should reach the middle of the tragus. In the various branches of the police, same specific law is in force. Stubble is permitted outside of ceremonial occasions. Netherlands In the Royal Netherlands Army, officers and soldiers may only grow beards after permission has been obtained. As in many other armies, automatic permission is given for certain medical conditions. Mustaches may be grown without asking permission. Beards are worn at times by the Royal Netherlands Marines and by Royal Netherlands Navy personnel. All facial hair in the Netherlands armed forces is subject to instant removal when operational circumstances demand it. Recent operations in Afghanistan under the ISAF have seen a trend of growing `` tour beards '', both for bonding and as a way of advancing contacts with the Afghan population, who regard a full beard as a sign of manhood. A beard without a mustache is uncommon in the Netherlands. Norway The Royal Guard is required to be clean - shaven. Most operative personnel are not allowed to wear beards ( so as not to interfere with gas masks ) unless : The soldier obtains express permission to grow his beard from a high - ranking officer. The soldier already has a beard upon his enlistment and requests to continue growing it or maintain it at its present length. Although, in the enduring operations in Afghanistan, many soldiers have grown full beards Portugal ( Details unknown. ) Russia Traditionally, Russian soldiers of Russian Tsardom wore beards, but during the reign of Peter the Great they were completely banned in the army and even for civilians, except members of the clergy. Peter did however make moustaches a requirement for every soldier excluding officers, and all of the Russian infantry of the imperial reign could be seen sporting them, often growing beyond the upper - lip. Although the typical image of the imperial Russian soldier shown him with a beard, they were not universally permitted until 1895. Cavalrymen also met these requirements. Officers and staff on the other hand grew whatever hair they wished, and generally kept with the fashion of the time. Spain The Spanish Armed Forces allow facial hair, under article 40 of the Royal Ordinances. Dress and grooming standards for Spanish ISAF forces have been relaxed to help the troops blend in better with the local Muslim population. Serbia In the Serbian Armed Forces neatly trimmed mustaches are the only facial hair permitted, remaining of the face must be cleanly shaved in every occasion except when legitimate reasons prevent it ( e.g. winter field operations, war operations ), but soldiers do have to shave the first chance that situation permits. Priests of any denomination are allowed to have beards if their religion requires it, but it still have to be trimmed and well groomed. Sweden The regulations require personnel to be `` well shaved '' ( välrakad ). Within the Royal Guard ( Högvakten ), the royal companies ( Livkomp ) and other personnel performing ceremonial duties, temporary or on a regular basis, the regulations are strictly enforced. Within other units, beards tend to be allowed under the discretion of the company commander ( or other higher ranking commander ). The general provisions of well - managed appearance is enforced also when it comes to beards. Soldiers are however by practice allowed to grow beards during service abroad, for example in Afghanistan. The motivation for the regulation prohibiting beard is that it interferes with the gas - mask and makes it difficult to achieve a perfect air - tight fit. Shorter beard and gun grease or ointment is one remedy but will increase the time for the application of the gas - mask which in turn will put bearded personnel at increased risk of exposure. Turkey All Turkish Armed Forces personnel are required to be clean - shaven at all times. Ukraine Illustration of Sviatoslav the prince of Kyevan Rus ' Ukrainian Cossacks traditionally have a distinctive facial hair style - long `` cossack '' moustache was very popular across Ukraine during Middle Ages until modern times. The tradition allegedly dates back at least to the times of prince of Kyevan Rus ' Sviatoslav I of Kiev famous for his military campaigns in the east and south. Sviatoslav had distinctive moustache and hair style ( oseledets or chupryna ) that almost every Ukrainian cossack had centuries after his times ( although Svyatoslav had lived in 10th century, while Cossacks appear on the historical scene only since the 15th century ). The length of the cossack moustache was important - the longer the better. Sometimes one had to tuck them away behind one 's ears. Some cossacks were wearing beards as well, but this type of facial hair was not very popular in Ukraine in general and in Ukraine 's military in particular. United kingdom By the second half of the 19th century, beards were largely allowed in the British military. Until the mid-19th century, facial hair was unusual in the British Army, except for the infantry pioneers, who traditionally grew beards. A small minority of officers wore moustaches. During the 1800s, the attitude to facial hair changed as a result of the Indian and Asian Wars. Many Middle Eastern and Indian cultures associated facial hair with wisdom and power. As a result, facial hair, moustaches and side whiskers in particular, became increasingly common on British soldiers stationed in Asia. In the mid-19th century, during the Crimean War, all ranks were encouraged to grow large moustaches, and full beards during winter. After the Crimean war, regulations were introduced that prevented serving soldiers of all ranks from shaving above their top lip, in essence making moustaches compulsory for those who could grow them, although beards were later forbidden. This remained in place until 1916, when the regulation was abolished by an Army Order dated 6 October 1916. It was issued by Nevil Macready, Adjutant - General to the Forces, who loathed his own moustache and immediately shaved it off. However, there is considerable evidence in photographs and film footage that the earlier regulations were widely ignored and that many British soldiers of all ranks were clean - shaven even before 1916. This was often because the penalty for not growing a moustache was rarely enforced, as it would n't hold in military court for court - martialling. Since that time, the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines have allowed moustaches and connected side whiskers only. Exceptions are beards grown for medical reasons, such as temporary skin irritations, or for religious reasons ( usually by Sikhs or Muslims ), although in the event of conflict in which the use of chemical or biological weapons is likely, they may be required to shave a strip around the seal of a respirator. Infantry pioneer warrant officers, colour sergeants and sergeants also traditionally wear and are permitted to wear beards ; although not compulsory, most do wear them. In some Scottish infantry regiments, it is either permitted or expected, by regimental tradition, for the drum major, pipe major, and / or commanding officer 's piper to wear a beard. Beards are also permitted to special forces when on covert intelligence operations or behind enemy lines. More recently, the British Army has been seen sporting a full range of stubble, moustaches and beards in Afghanistan in an effort to blend in with the generally bearded Afghan men, for whom a beard is seen as a sign of virility and authority. The Royal Navy has always allowed beards, but never moustaches alone, and since at least the early 20th century has permitted its members to wear only a `` full set '' ( i.e. a full beard and moustache ). A beard or moustache may not be worn without the other and the beard must be full ( i.e. cover the whole jawline ) and joined to the moustache. If, after a period without shaving, it becomes clear that the individual can not grow a proper full set, his commanding officer may order him to shave it off. Any style of facial hair is allowed to British police officers, as long as it is neatly trimmed. Americas Mexico Beards and sideburns are not permitted by the regular Mexican military, without exception. Soldiers at any rank must be clean - shaven and short haired. Argentina Beards and sideburns are banned in all military and police forces since the early 20th century. A clean - shaved face is considered part of a spirit of order, hygiene and discipline. Stubble is also considered unacceptable and controlled with severity. Well - trimmed moustaches are allowed in most of these branches, although in some cases this is a privilege of officers and sub-officers, and it 's not allowed to be grown while on duty. Before the end of 20th century, the Navy became a singularity within the Argentine Armed Forces as Adm. Joaquín Stella, then Navy Chief of Staff allowed beards in 2000 for officers with ranks above Teniente de Corbeta ( Ensign ), according to Section 1.10. 1.1 of the Navy Uniform regulations ( R.A - 1 - 001 ). Adm. Stella gave the example himself by becoming the first bearded Argentine admiral since Adm. Sáenz Valiente in the 1920s. Non commissioned officers can wear beards from Suboficial Segundo ( Petty Officer ) rank, and upwards. Protocol still requires officers to appear clean - shaved on duty, thus forcing those who choose to sport beards to grow them while on leave. Both full beards and goatees are allowed, as long as they proffer a professional, non-eccentric image. Nowadays, bearded Argentine naval and marine officers and senior NCO 's are a relatively common sight. Brazil The Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy and Brazilian Air Force permit moustaches, as long as they are trimmed to just above the upper lip. Recruits, however, may not wear moustaches. Beards are generally not allowed except for special exceptions, such as covering a deformity. In such cases, a beard is permitted under authorization. Canada The Canadian Forces permits moustaches, provided they be neatly trimmed, a maximum of 2 centimetres in bulk, and that the unshaven part does not pass beyond the corners of the mouth. Otherwise, the moustache must be styled horizontally and can not go beyond the face. Generally speaking, beards are not permitted to CF personnel with the following exceptions : Members of the navy are allowed full beards Members of an infantry pioneer platoon ( tradition ) Members who must maintain a beard due to religious requirements ( Muslims, Sikhs or orthodox Jews, for example ) Members with a medical condition which precludes shaving These exceptions notwithstanding, in no case is a beard permitted without a moustache, and only full beards may be worn ( not goatees, van dykes, etc. ). Personnel with beards may still be required to modify or shave off the beard, as environmental or tactical circumstances dictate ( e.g., to facilitate the wearing of a gas mask ). Beards are also allowed to be worn by personnel conducting OPFOR duties. Colombia Only after the rank of captain, officers are allowed to wear a well trimmed moustache that does n't grow over the upper lip. Beards and sideburns are not allowed. United States Ambrose Burnside wore a large moustache and sideburns Excluding limited exemptions for religious accommodation, the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps have policies that prohibit beards on the basis of hygiene and the necessity of a good seal for chemical weapon protective masks. The official position is that uniform personal appearance and grooming contribute to discipline and a sense of camaraderie. All branches of the U.S. Military currently prohibit beards for a vast majority of recruits, although some mustaches are still allowed, based on policies that were initiated during the period of World War I. On 10 November 1970, Chief of Naval Operations ( CNO ) Elmo Zumwalt explicitly authorized beards for active duty Naval personnel, in his Z - gram number 57, `` Elimination of Demeaning or Abrasive Regulation, '' although his position was that they were already implicitly allowed based on policy changes made by his predecessor, Thomas H. Moorer : 1. Those demeaning or abrasive regulations generally referred to in the fleet as `` Mickey Mouse '' or `` Chicken '' regs have, in my judgment, done almost as much to cause dissatisfaction among our personnel as have extended family separation and low pay scales. I desire to eliminate many of the most abrasive policies, standardize others which are inconsistently enforced, and provide some general guidance which reflects my conviction that if we are to place the importance and responsibility of `` the person '' in proper perspective in the more efficient Navy we are seeking, the worth and personal dignity of the individual must be forcefully reaffirmed. The policy changes below are effective immediately and will be amplified by more detailed implementing directives to be issued separately. 2. It appears that my predecessor 's guidance in May on the subject of haircuts, beards and sideburns is insufficiently understood and, for this reason, I want to restate what I believed to be explicit : in the case of haircuts, sideburns, and contemporary clothing styles, my view is that we must learn to adapt to changing fashions. I will not countenance the rights or privileges of any officers or enlisted men being abrogated in any way because they choose to grow sideburns or neatly trimmed beards or moustaches or because preferences in neat clothing styles are at variance with the taste of their seniors, nor will I countenance any personnel being in any way penalized during the time they are growing beards, moustaches, or sideburns. The Navy ban on beards on Naval installations and operational vessels, including its submarine fleet, was reinstated in 1984 by CNO James D. Watkins. However, this rule is generally ignored on board deployed submarines at the Captain 's discretion. 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. Mustaches are generally allowed in both the military and police forces ( except for those undergoing basic training ), so long as they are well - groomed. U.S. Army regulations, for example, require that a mustaches be `` neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy '', and that `` no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth... or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose. '' Those with skin conditions such as pseudofolliculitis barbae or severe acne are allowed to maintain short facial hair with the permission of a doctor or medic, but no shaping is allowed, only trimming with an electric razor, or approved regular razor. 1 / 8 - 1 / 4 of an inch ( 3.2 mm ) is usually the standard for this condition. Additionally, for almost a decade, ending with a `` deauthorization '' order that took effect on 7 September 2010, many Special Forces members in Afghanistan were allowed to wear beards. Exceptions for religious accommodation Main article : Religious symbolism in the United States military § Religious apparel and grooming U.S. Army Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, 2010 In 2010, the U.S. Army granted waivers for a number of Sikh soldiers and one Muslim soldier, permitting them to have beards ( and in the case of the Sikh soldiers, to have `` unshorn '' hair covered by turbans ). In 2010, a rabbi filed suit against the Army for permission to be commissioned as a Jewish chaplain without shaving his beard, noting ( among other issues ) that another Jewish Chaplain, Colonel Jacob Goldstein, has been serving ( first in the New York State National Guard and later in the United States Army Reserve ) since 1977 with a beard. Effective 22 January 2014, the US military expanded its policies on religious accommodation and allowed all officer and enlisted personnel to request permission to wear beards and articles of clothing for religious reasons. Oceania Australia Beards are normally not allowed in the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force, however, neatly trimmed moustaches and sideburns are allowed. Regulations apply, however. The moustache can not be grown past the top lip. The sideburns are not to be past the point where the bottom of the ear connects to the facial skin. In some circumstances though, such as medical or religious reasons beards may be permitted. Exceptions to this rule however are assault pioneers and special forces in Afghanistan. In the Royal Australian Navy, members may grow a beard but only with approval from their commanding officer. The beard must be complete, joined from sideburns, covering the chin and joining the moustache. A moustache on its own is not permitted. References ^ Jump up to : http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/RTI/rti/DSR/DSR_VOLUME_2/CHAPTER_15/272.htm Jump up ^ `` Muslims in uniform can keep beard ''. Times of India. Jump up ^ `` Muslims in Indian Army Can Wear Beards, Court Rules ''. arabnews.com. 14 December 2003. Jump up ^ http://armedforces.nic.in/navy/beard.htm Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2008. Jump up ^ Simon, Rita J. ; Abdel - Moneim, Mohamed Alaa ( 2011 ), A Handbook of Military Conscription and Composition the World Over, Lexington Books, pp. 152 -- 153, ISBN 0739167529 Jump up ^ `` Iraq military beard edict stirs religion debate ''. Reuters. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` The Finnish Defence Forces '' ( PDF ). Jump up ^ `` Les Arquebusiers de Visé, le 19e siècle, 1ère partie ''. Jump up ^ Décret No 75 - 675 portant règlement de discipline générale dans les armées du 28 juillet 1975, modifié Jump up ^ Wise, Marsh ( 1998 ). `` German Reenactor 's Appearance ''. Reenactor.net. Retrieved 23 August 2011. Jump up ^ `` 2nd Gebirgsjager ''. Retrieved 23 August 2011. Jump up ^ Williamson, Gordon ; Darko Pavlović ( 2001 ). Grey Wolf : U-Boat Crewman of World War II. Warrior Series. 36. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1 - 84176 - 312 - 8. p 26, 32. Jump up ^ Littell, E ( 1841 ). Museum of Foreign Literature, Science and Art, Volume 42. E. Littell & Co. Jump up ^ `` How the moustache won an empire '', Daily Mail, 11 October 2007 Jump up ^ `` The Army Moustache : Optional under a New Order '', The Times, 7 October 1916 Jump up ^ Annals of an Active Life by Sir Nevil Macready, pp 258 - 259. Jump up ^ For example, many clean - shaven soldiers are shown in contemporary film footage from 1914 and 1915 shown in the acclaimed 2003 British TV series The First World War. Jump up ^ http://www.sedena.gob.mx/pdf/reglamentos/rglmto_deb_mil.pdf Jump up ^ Portaria No 310. Diretoria de Serviço Militar. Exército Brasileiro. Jump up ^ www.nytimes.com, 1984, retrieved 11 July 2011. Jump up ^ Department of the Army ( 15 September 2014 ). `` Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia '' ( PDF ). Army Publishing Directorate. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015. Jump up ^ www.npr.org, retrieved 21 June 2011. Jump up ^ www. army,. mil, retrieved 21 June 2011. Jump up ^ www.armytimes.com, retrieved 21 June 2011. Jump up ^ www.dtic.mil, retrieved 21 June 2011. Jump up ^ U.S. military giving troops more leeway for religious clothing, beards, David Alexander, Reuters, 23 January 2014 Jump up ^ `` DOD Instruction 1300.17, amended as of January 2014 '', retrieved 26 January 2014 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Facial_hair_in_the_military&oldid=854633570 '' Categories : Facial hair Uniforms Hidden categories : Use dmy dates from March 2017 Articles needing additional references from October 2010 All articles needing additional references Wikipedia introduction cleanup from April 2011 All pages needing cleanup Articles covered by WikiProject Wikify from April 2011 All articles covered by WikiProject Wikify Articles with multiple maintenance issues All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014 Articles with unsourced statements from July 2018 All articles with failed verification Articles with failed verification from July 2015 Articles with unsourced statements from March 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from February 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from May 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 12 August 2018, at 19 : 26 ( UTC ). 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Question: when did the navy do away with beards
Answer: 1984