Soldiers are supposed to be clean-shaven with close-cropped hair at base, but what about when they are out in combat? Do they have to shave and cut their hair when out in the field and not actually fighting? In cold winters, for instance, I cannot imagine soldiers wanting to shave or cut their hair, since extra hair would add warmth. Assuming the winter clothing is unavailable or inadequate.

You must have never saw some of the modern European forces in the 1990s....long hair past their shoulders...some with ponytails.....and those are the guys during exercises and operational tours.

Beards are worn by Canadian Infantry Pioneers....it is a tradition....and wearing a gas mask with a beard can be done. Some of the Canadian Pioneer photos taken in Kosovo in 1999 looked like they had half grown ZZ Top beads.

Until the late '90s, here in Sri Lanka, all regular troops in the field had to shave and have haircuts whenever it was possible, and would be inspected for it even at FOBs. Special ops troops could grow their hair and beards 'cos they are also used in deniable and undercover missions. Recently, however, I've noticed that regular troops sport beards in the field too, mostly to fool the enemy into thinking they're special forces However, they still need to shave and cut their hair when back at basecamp.

Thats was entirely true in the 80's as well Jason...I remember the Dutch army having Fabio haircuts. Also true about the pioneers lol. Not sure about the respirator though...just don't think that would work at all. Myself, the only time I was authorized to have a beard was during a tour of Alert in 85....don't ask how I got there. I felt like a pig in rubber boots surrounded by nothing but airfarce and navy types. I was back in batallion for exactly one hour when I was sent off to de-fur my face. LOL!

You must have never saw some of the modern European forces in the 1990s....long hair past their shoulders...some with ponytails.....and those are the guys during exercises and operational tours.

Beards are worn by Canadian Infantry Pioneers....it is a tradition....and wearing a gas mask with a beard can be done. Some of the Canadian Pioneer photos taken in Kosovo in 1999 looked like they had half grown ZZ Top beads.

Don't forget winter warfare .... we almost always had beard growing contests while on them (even those prissy royals LOL)....beards to be shaved off immediately on return to base though.

Ha ha...if growing a beard is enough to fool the Tamil Tigers into thinking they are "Special Forces" then they should go all the way and get some hair extensions too.....they would wipe out the Tigers in no time.

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Don't forget winter warfare .... we almost always had beard growing contests while on them (even those prissy royals LOL)....beards to be shaved off immediately on return to base though.

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I was in the Armoured Corps...always clean shaven even during the winter.....we all had electric razors....haha.....and lots of hot water in the boiling vessel.

I was thinking of soldiers deliberately leaving beards on and hair to grow in very cold weather conditions. But that is not done, I take it.

The US Navy was the same way. I was on subs, and even then someone on board would cut your hair. Wasn't always the best, but at least you looked as good as the next guy until you got home!! Beards were not allowed for the same reasons as mentioned above - face masks wouldn't seal. For us, it wasn't a chemical thing as much as straight smoke in case of a fire. Its not like we could "open the doors" and let the smoke out!!

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I was thinking of soldiers deliberately leaving beards on and hair to grow in very cold weather conditions. But that is not done, I take it.

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Not in the US Army, that's for sure. Might be able to get away with a couple day's worth of stubble depending on the 1st Sergeant, but we were expected to be clean-shaven more often than not even on maneuvers.

There was an exception if you had a facial condition (many black soldiers had skin problems because of shaving and could get dispensations for it).

I'll second that. In the US Army, you shave daily; in garrison, in the field, or in combat. Haircuts are also kept up as well. Its always fun shaving in cold water in the winter...Brrrrrrr!!

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Interesting. My dad was on the SSN 613 Flasher. He always sported a full beard or Fu Manchu while out on patrol. Different times, different regs perhaps.