Beards in the RAF
And if using an official one: "bandwidth problems, Boss!" 
I can understand that Darn Sarf they had a few more pressing concerns than shaving, so Mog can be excused his bum fluff.
But on a cosy airfield somewhere in England (or Canada for some on here) it doesn't take much time to shave and it looks way way much smarter than tipping into met brief/1st parade looking like the biker from the Village People.
Why did the Air Force Board stop at shaving? Why not let everyone wear civvies and dispense with saluting? Why not get everyone to wear a commercial logo on their polo shirts and earn some extra moolah?
But I'm a retired old fart so back to the Times and a big leather armchair for a snooze!
But on a cosy airfield somewhere in England (or Canada for some on here) it doesn't take much time to shave and it looks way way much smarter than tipping into met brief/1st parade looking like the biker from the Village People.
Why did the Air Force Board stop at shaving? Why not let everyone wear civvies and dispense with saluting? Why not get everyone to wear a commercial logo on their polo shirts and earn some extra moolah?
But I'm a retired old fart so back to the Times and a big leather armchair for a snooze!
One could choose to be offended by the service accomodation, lack of work life balance, increasing cuts to facilities and capabilities, or any number of other things. Or one could choose to be offended by beards...
Thread Starter
Hence my "reap what you sow" implication. Pandering to ever multiplying "Wokeness" current pressures on the Service, whilst sidestepping key issues, is a dangerous path to follow in the longer term.
Haraka
I hear you about wokeness. I think you need to choose your battles a little better though.
Allowing beards is not ‘woke’. It’s just a reflection of changing times.
In the 18th century men used to plait their hair and wear wigs into battle. Eventually that went out of favour and times moved on. How is the acceptance of beards any different?
Remember, change isn’t wrong. It’s just different.
I also think that those no longer serving shouldn’t really expect a vote on what is acceptable any more. There are an awful lot of practices from bygone eras that we no longer use. That can be good and bad.
I don’t really allow any of it to upset me too much. And I am still serving.
D&I training days are another great example of something that upsets a lot of people (especially older males). However, from listening to the conversations of some people that I serve alongside it is clear that we have a way to go before they are no longer required.
Honestly there are bigger and better things to get upset about.
BV
Allowing beards is not ‘woke’. It’s just a reflection of changing times.
In the 18th century men used to plait their hair and wear wigs into battle. Eventually that went out of favour and times moved on. How is the acceptance of beards any different?
Remember, change isn’t wrong. It’s just different.
I also think that those no longer serving shouldn’t really expect a vote on what is acceptable any more. There are an awful lot of practices from bygone eras that we no longer use. That can be good and bad.
I don’t really allow any of it to upset me too much. And I am still serving.
D&I training days are another great example of something that upsets a lot of people (especially older males). However, from listening to the conversations of some people that I serve alongside it is clear that we have a way to go before they are no longer required.
Honestly there are bigger and better things to get upset about.
BV
I hear you about wokeness. I think you need to choose your battles a little better though.
Allowing beards is not ‘woke’. It’s just a reflection of changing times.
In the 18th century men used to plait their hair and wear wigs into battle. Eventually that went out of favour and times moved on. How is the acceptance of beards any different?
Remember, change isn’t wrong. It’s just different.
I also think that those no longer serving shouldn’t really expect a vote on what is acceptable any more. There are an awful lot of practices from bygone eras that we no longer use. That can be good and bad.
I don’t really allow any of it to upset me too much. And I am still serving.
D&I training days are another great example of something that upsets a lot of people (especially older males). However, from listening to the conversations of some people that I serve alongside it is clear that we have a way to go before they are no longer required.
Honestly there are bigger and better things to get upset about.
BV
Allowing beards is not ‘woke’. It’s just a reflection of changing times.
In the 18th century men used to plait their hair and wear wigs into battle. Eventually that went out of favour and times moved on. How is the acceptance of beards any different?
Remember, change isn’t wrong. It’s just different.
I also think that those no longer serving shouldn’t really expect a vote on what is acceptable any more. There are an awful lot of practices from bygone eras that we no longer use. That can be good and bad.
I don’t really allow any of it to upset me too much. And I am still serving.
D&I training days are another great example of something that upsets a lot of people (especially older males). However, from listening to the conversations of some people that I serve alongside it is clear that we have a way to go before they are no longer required.
Honestly there are bigger and better things to get upset about.
BV
This RAF beardy weirdy thanks you for your concern.
I will be sure to be on the look out for freshly sown seeds to reap.
BV
PS. I think they look scruffy as hell but I have always hated shaving so I’m happy as Larry. How’s that for double standards?!
I will be sure to be on the look out for freshly sown seeds to reap.
BV
PS. I think they look scruffy as hell but I have always hated shaving so I’m happy as Larry. How’s that for double standards?!
212Man, not sure that Bob works for the same Air Force as you...
On a practical note, does the beard interfere with the fit of the mask, especially if pressure breathing is active?
On a practical note, does the beard interfere with the fit of the mask, especially if pressure breathing is active?
Jack
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
I hear you about wokeness...D&I training days are another great example of something that upsets a lot of people (especially older males). However, from listening to the conversations of some people that I serve alongside it is clear that we have a way to go before they are no longer required.
BV
BV