I took a party from Gütersloh to do the tour of the Inner German Border. We had a young lady volunteer youth worker with us at the time so we took her along. To save questions, we gave her a set of combats and a beret to wear. While we were staying at Helmstedt, the RMP Sergeant- Major took me to one side and asked me to make sure the young lady wore her beret when wandering around outside. Now the said lady has not only tall and attractive but she had beautiful curly hair that went in all directions. I called across to her and told her to put her beret on whereupon he just sighed and said, “Don’t bother Sir, it’s worse!”

Totally agree - a non-issue

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....37c59273f5.jpg
SWO is digging the new policies and setting high standards.

Poor Standards! non-current MTP headband and 2mm too wide. No authorised SAC/ SWO hat badge either! wouldn't have happened in my day!

Can’t remember the last time the RAF asked me when I last picked a rifle up. But they ask me about my H&S and diversity training with a regular monotony.

And I still think beards look scruffy. Adding a ponytail to them won’t improve matters either … you just know someone will try to push it.

Ever seen photos of our SF guys who spent very long periods of time living with the locals in some rather mountainous country?

All had beards...some had Pony Tails.....and performed their military duties in a most satisfactory manner.

There is a time and place that kind of appearance.....on the Parade Ground is not one of them.

When you are engaged in serious combat for lengthy periods of time....grooming standards are far less important that your combat skills and accomplishment of the mission.

The ultimate inspection of a unit or for individuals in the military is direct combat with an aggressive and capable enemy....sadly that becomes our own leadership when we are back home and are in a peacetime environment.

Two tours of combat in Vietnam and I never heard mention of someone being called on the carpet over a lack of a haircut.....we got our haircuts when we could...but putting up as many Aircraft as we could and flying as many hours as we could was the priority.

Shined boots and pressed Trousers....and a filthy weapon immediately identified a REMF whose sole purpose In life was self advancement and avoidance of physical danger....and justly deserved scorn by the scruffy who got the real work done.

Or pull it!:ok:

CG

Yes - several times in Afghanistan. And what started as a cultural thing in an effort to gain favour with local tribesmen got out of hand and they were told
so in no uncertain terms by the RSM.

There’s a difference between dusty boots and unpressed trousers on ops (don’t think I ever ironed mine on ops) and looking like a tramp.

Whoa there Neddy
 

In all those situations you cite don’t you think it’s possible that the individuals in question are likely to take ownership of their own hair?

If their job calls for tidy hair I’m sure they will understand that and cut it accordingly.

We are talking about clever, 21st Century women here not 1950’s housewives who are likely to faint at the first whiff of jet fuel.

Seriously if you think that every lady is suddenly going to have hair like Rapunzel and clog up an ejector seat you need to calm down and think a little more rationally.

BV

Aaaaaand breathe.