British troops in Afghanistan told not to shave

[Drone_pilot]

The British Army has abandoned more than a century of military tradition
by allowing its soldiers in Afghanistan to grow beards.

Troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade embedded in the volatile Helmand Province
are being encouraged to flout rules which insist they must wear their hair
above the collar and be clean-shaven.

Army commanders in Afghanistan say that because their men are working so
closely with bearded Muslim men from the Afghan National Army, it makes
sense for them to let theirs grow.


Dail Mail Read more (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=394749&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source=)

[John A Silkstone]

While serving in the medical centre at the ‘School of Infantry’ in Warmister, we had a pioneer sergeant who wore a full beard. Whenever there was a SNCOs parade we drew lots in the mess the night before to see who would stand next to him, as the RSM always gave a rollicking to the next man in line.

Silky