Beards

Navy News
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Uniforms are always a hot topic for sailors. The Navy’s top officials have been getting an earful about what is and what’s not in their seabags for the past few years as they make their rounds in the fleet.

That’s why the Navy’s top uniformed personnel officer, Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr. and his senior enlisted advisor, Fleet Master Chief (SS) Wes Koshoffer, now have fleet sailors chiming in directly to them on uniform issues, thanks to a bi-monthly uniform focus group.

Navy News
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Beards are a hot button issue – sailors want them – Navy leadership says they can’t have them.

Now the last bastions of beards in the Navy –  “permanent no shave chits” issued for medical reasons,  are being be thrown overboard, too.

Instead, the service will expand treatment options for sailors with skin issues caused by shaving.

It’s not that the service hasn’t considered again allowing beards – they have.

The Navy has studied beards many times since 1985, the last time beards were allowed throughout the ranks. Each time, the conclusion is the same — they pose a significant safety hazard in shipboard environments. That’s why facial hair, other than mustaches, will stay banned in the Navy.