For decades, U.S. military leaders have prohibited service members from growing beards, arguing that facial hair not only disrupts a clean, professional appearance, but also interferes with the seal of a gas mask, oxygen mask or other devices that service members wear to survive hazardous environments.
Growing a beard in the military
Beards were prohibited across all branches for two reasons: Hygiene and the need for a good seal while wearing a gas mask.
Moustaches may be worn. However, moustaches can not be grown past the ends of the top lip. Sideburns are not to be grown past the point where the bottom of the ear connects to the facial skin. In some circumstances, such as medical or religious reasons, beards may be permitted.
The Navy announced a new policy in March stating that sailors diagnosed with PFB would not be kicked for not shaving, and would be allowed to edge and outline their beards instead of being forced to grow them out.
The only men lucky enough to be allowed beards now are special operations units such as Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs (as long as they are in Afghanistan at least).
Do Navy SEALs get to have beards? 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.
The ban was introduced in 1985, meaning that out of our 247-year naval history, during only 37 years have beards been disallowed. Further, as mentioned before, nearly every other naval service on earth allows beards. One would not say the Royal Navy is unprofessional due to their allowance of beards.
While the armed forces have content prohibitions for tattoos, the policies have evolved and become less restrictive regarding size and location. The current policies permit tattoos almost anywhere on the body except for on the head and face.
Laser tattoo removal is your best option for getting rid of unwanted ink that violates the military standard. While the military will not pay for your removal, many laser clinics offer military discounts.
What can disqualify you at MEPS? Any disqualifications that appear during your MEPS physical exam or interview may prevent you from joining the Army. These disqualifications can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting height/weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, among others.
The Marine tattoo policy is the strictest in all the armed forces. Marine tattoos must be entirely covered by the standard physical training uniform, and no tattoos may appear on the head, neck, wrists, knees, elbows, or hands, although one ring tattoo under 3/8 of an inch in width is allowed.
In 2021, the Corps modified some of its restrictions, allowing Toor and others to keep beards, turban and other faith articles in uniform. But not in deployed conditions or in ceremonial billets such as the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.
Beards will not exceed 1/4 inch in length unless expressly granted per religious accommodation waiver. Supervisors of individuals with medical shaving waivers will actively monitor and ensure treatment regimen is followed.
The Marine Corps allows medically required beards and diverse hairstyles for women, and has relaxed its rules around tattoos. In 2021, NPR reported that the Marines planned to address its lack of diversity and retention problems.
One answer to why the special forces have beards is that they need to blend in. The military allows the special forces “relaxed grooming standards” not because of folliculaphilia but because of the jobs they do. For instance, showing up to the Middle East without a beard can put a soldier at a disadvantage.
On the legitimacy of the 8-minute nap, he says “sleeping with your legs elevated can help improve sleep onset and quality as it allows blood to flow more easily throughout the body. This is the sleep science behind the 8-minute Navy Seal nap, but that's not the only thing that makes this nap potentially effective.”
Retired personnel are authorized facial hair when wearing Navy uniforms during functions and events. Facial hair must be properly groomed and no longer than 2 inches in length extending from the face outward.
The answer to that question is dreadlocks are not authorized in the military. So yes your hair will be cut and as long as you're in basic training it will be cut, basically bald.
So far, the Air Force has banned beards for all except those who have five-year medical waivers for pseudofolliculitis barbae, or chronic razor bumps, or religious waivers for those for whom beards are central to their observance, like Sikhs, Jews, Muslims and Norse Heathens.
Can FBI Agents Have Beards? General FBI grooming and hygiene standards are codified, unless otherwise as specified for a duty or position, post-training, as: Clean shaven through training, clean mustaches permitted afterwards. Jewelry and piercings must be small, simple, and not pose a safety risk.
Parts are authorized but need to be off center, must go straight back and can be placed no further out then the outside corner of the eye, and cannot extend over the back of the head. If it is on the side of the head it is not authorized. A part can be carved into the hair if desired.
Here are the key takeaways for the Marine Corps tattoo policy: You CAN have tattoos anywhere on your chest, back, torso, upper arms, upper thighs, and groin. There are no restrictions as to the size, shape, colors, or number of tattoos. There ARE restrictions on tattoos that are visible outside of a PT uniform.
Additionally, tattoos below the knee and elbow, no matter the size and quantity, are perfectly fine. This means full sleeves are allowed. Hand and ring tattoos are permitted as well.
The Secret Service prohibits special agents from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand, and fingers (any area below the wrist bone). A tattoo of a wedding band is permitted.
The Army will now allow Soldiers to have one tattoo on each hand that does not exceed one inch in length. Soldiers also have the option to place one tattoo no larger than two inches on the back of their neck and one, inch-long tattoo behind each ear.