After years of discussion around the British Army’s policy on facial hair, soldiers and officers are now permitted to wear beards. As the last of the armed forces to allow personnel to grow beards, the Army’s directive is in immediate effect. However, the facial hair must be groomed, neat, and routinely checked. As with previous grooming standards, there will be certain situations where personnel must be clean-shaven, and officers and soldiers will be directed to shave as required.
The decision to change the policy was made after several months of reviewing Army personnel’s appearance. An Army spokesman told the BBC that leaders looked at the findings before deciding on a change. Additionally, troops of certain faiths, including Sikhs, Muslims, and Rastafarians, are already allowed to grow full beards, provided they don’t endanger health or safety.
It is thought that the new policy may help attract new recruits among younger men who sport facial hair in greater numbers than in the past. Several other foreign armies, such as those of Denmark, Germany, and Belgium, already permit troops to grow beards.
The new policy was shared by Warrant Officer Class 1 Paul Carney, the most senior non-commissioned officer in a four-minute video message to the troops. The Royal Navy has allowed beards and moustaches for years, while the Royal Air Force has permitted personnel to sport facial hair since 2019
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