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US Troops in Afghanistan Battle Beard Ban

Clean-shaven troops complain lack of facial hair makes it harder to win Afghan respect

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2008 3:34 AM CST

(Newser) – American troops in Afghanistan want to take a razor to the military's long-standing rule banning beards, US News & World Report writes. Beards are a sign of manhood in traditional areas of Afghanistan, and clean-shaven troops grumble that the rule—which the military maintains is essential for hygiene and discipline—makes it harder to gain respect and trust from the locals. 

Special Forces troops are exempt from the ban, but officials say the experience and maturity of those troops make it less likely lax discipline will sprout along with facial hair. Some see a split between junior and senior officers on the issue, with the junior officers—some of whom are growing regulation-busting beards—more likely to embrace unconventional counterinsurgency tactics over strict military procedure.

Two US Army captains listen to an Afghan villager during a patrol in Khost, Afghanistan, earlier this year.
Two US Army captains listen to an Afghan villager during a patrol in Khost, Afghanistan, earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
A US soldier of the 101st Airborne Division smells an opium flower during a patrol with Afghan police in Tani district of Khost province, Afghanistan, earlier this year.
A US soldier of the 101st Airborne Division smells an opium flower during a patrol with Afghan police in Tani district of Khost province, Afghanistan, earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
An Afghan man trims beard as he waits to be served breakfast at a roadside eatery in Kabul, Afghanistan.
An Afghan man trims beard as he waits to be served breakfast at a roadside eatery in Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
A US Army Special Forces soldier watches over Afghan suspects in this file photo. Special Forces are exempt from the US military's ban on beards.
A US Army Special Forces soldier watches over Afghan suspects in this file photo. Special Forces are exempt from the US military's ban on beards.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Nov 18, 2008 9:08 PM CST
One would think some latitude would be given troops in COMBAT to wear their face hair however.

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