RAF Beards...?
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49313406
So now its out there, will this mean the Navy can have moustaches?
The Army will still need to write to Betty
Prince Harry was given special permission from the Queen to keep his beard during his wedding as he chose to wear his Army uniform during the ceremony.
So now its out there, will this mean the Navy can have moustaches?
The Army will still need to write to Betty

Prince Harry was given special permission from the Queen to keep his beard during his wedding as he chose to wear his Army uniform during the ceremony.
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Oh well, further degradation of standards. (Don't bother to harangue as it's water off a duck's back)
Perhaps a measure of how difficult recruitment to HM Forces is nowadays.
I can't imagine why . . .
Perhaps a measure of how difficult recruitment to HM Forces is nowadays.
I can't imagine why . . .
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I have to assume recruiting and retention was going fine in the 60s, otherwise we* would have been allowed shoulder-length hair back then?
* blokes, obviously!
* blokes, obviously!
[QUOTE]I have to assume recruiting and retention was going fine in the 60s, otherwise we* would have been allowed shoulder-length hair back then?[QUOTE]
Just reminded me of an occasion when we were sitting in the mess dining room at Akrotiri having breakfast when 3 very long haired types in flying suits came and sat at an adjacent table. I thought our very stuffy squadron CO was going to have a stroke, as long hair was a bête noire of his. He was just getting up to administer a huge bollocking to the offending blokes when one of our number pointed out that they were a civvy Canberra crew, who I think flew target facilities aircraft for the Navy from Exeter
Just reminded me of an occasion when we were sitting in the mess dining room at Akrotiri having breakfast when 3 very long haired types in flying suits came and sat at an adjacent table. I thought our very stuffy squadron CO was going to have a stroke, as long hair was a bête noire of his. He was just getting up to administer a huge bollocking to the offending blokes when one of our number pointed out that they were a civvy Canberra crew, who I think flew target facilities aircraft for the Navy from Exeter
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Nice, TTN. 
I confess during my quasi-civvy times at NATS I may have exceeded the usual RAF norms. A bit ‘Beatle’ could be a good accusation!

I confess during my quasi-civvy times at NATS I may have exceeded the usual RAF norms. A bit ‘Beatle’ could be a good accusation!
Quite true, I remember, in 1967, as a young JT at Wittering, piling into my old Ford Zephyr with 5 others and driving across to Spalding to see Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd. Must have looked total prats in kaftans and flares with regulation haircuts
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Airmen leave because they're not allowed a beard? What! Perhaps they should grow some b****cks instead. God-knows how they'd have survived in the old Number 2 uniforms and had to share a billet & make bed packs once a year for the AOC's inspection. I can feel the snowflakes melting as I type...

Relaaaaaaaax...
I don’t think anyone is suggesting that men feel unable to serve because they are not allowed facial fluff.
The change to the rules is a great example of how the RAF feels able to move with the times a little.
Facial hair is perfectly smart and standards are not slipping because beards are now permitted.
Remember. It’s not wrong. It’s just different.
For the record, I have flown a fast jet whilst adorned with a beard for the past two years and the world has not stopped turning.
May I please repeat. Times have changed. This is not the 1950’s any more. For better or worse.
BV
The change to the rules is a great example of how the RAF feels able to move with the times a little.
Facial hair is perfectly smart and standards are not slipping because beards are now permitted.
Remember. It’s not wrong. It’s just different.
For the record, I have flown a fast jet whilst adorned with a beard for the past two years and the world has not stopped turning.
May I please repeat. Times have changed. This is not the 1950’s any more. For better or worse.
BV
Presumably someone will produce guidance? Otherwise the RAF could find itself with a few ZZ Top lookalikes...
Pony tails next?
Pony tails next?
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A question or two for those in opposition to face fungus.
Are there any specific triumphs in the RAF’s 100 year history that can be attributed to lack of beards, or where a beard would have eroded the chance of success?
Are there any obvious ways in the 100 years to come that the presence of a beard might spell disaster?
Are there any specific triumphs in the RAF’s 100 year history that can be attributed to lack of beards, or where a beard would have eroded the chance of success?
Are there any obvious ways in the 100 years to come that the presence of a beard might spell disaster?