Leave army beards to the Goat Majors
There are reports that the Army Board will consider whether soldiers should be allowed to wear beards on duty, as their compadres in the “other” services can. I very much hope that my “chums” on the Board do not stoop to some wokery inspired drop in standards for the promise of more recruits. If you will only join the army if you can have a beard, you are in the wrong profession, or at least the wrong Service. The army’s shortage of recruits is more about poor administration, fewer exciting operational tours and some ridiculous and outdated medical standards.
Beards are allowed in the Army for operational reasons and a few “exotic” postings like “Goat Majors” and some farriers; and of course, those who’s religion demands it. The only time I have ever grown a beard was after leaving the Army, when I did on an extending trip into Syria looking for evidence of Assad chemical weapons attacks, and I was trying to blend in as a Syrian doctor. At that time, they all had beards.
Similarly, in Afghanistan some of those in Special Forces and others who worked with the Afghan Army wore beards to blend in or to save water on long patrols. Some others, so far in the rear of the fighting in Afghanistan, who even had to send their washing forward and go forward (towards the frontline) for a haircut, who had beards were the laughingstock to the majority, actually doing the fighting, clean shaven.
There are very practical safety reasons in my world of Chemical, Biological and Nuclear defence not to have even stubble, as you cannot get a proper seal with a gas mask. I expect the majority in the Royal Navy or RAF who have beards probably do not go any where near a respirator? I do not suppose many fighter pilots, who live in oxygen masks, have hair on their face.
For fighting soldiers, not only is a clean shave good for a gas tight seal, but also discipline and good health. The dawn wet shave, no electrics for those on the ground, in my experience, cleans the body and mind, keeps disease and bugs away and adds to fighting spirit. Those who cannot manage this task, should not join the military or at least the army.
The Army Board should focus on getting more people into the Army, by cutting waiting times and lifting some of the ridiculous medical conditions. I severed for 24 years with “Cardiac Sudden Death Syndrome”, admittedly, I did not know until year 20, but still completed tours to Afghanistan and elsewhere when I did. I am trying to help two exceptional candidates into the Army at the moment; one young chap who had asthma aged 11, is now 24 years old and as fit as a “butcher’s dog”. I would happily follow him over the “top”.
The other is a qualified physiotherapist who wanted to join the Army from the age of 11; now 25, she is being prevented from joining because she once had treatment for a mental health issue over ten years ago. My own son had an operation on his neck a few years ago which would likely exclude him, but he happily plays rugby week in and week out in the top league in the North.
Ceremonial duty and performance are a key duty for most of the Army and an international show piece for the country, with “Trooping the Colour” and other national parades. To me, at least, to see the Guards and the Household Cavalry all sporting beards would be a detriment to this international spectacle. I do not think a group of men marching with beards looks nearly as smart as a group without – have a look the next time you see the Army and RAF in lock step on the parade ground.
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon is former Commanding Officer of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment
