<P> Until the mid-19th century, facial hair was unusual in the British Army, except for the infantry pioneers, who traditionally grew beards . A small minority of officers wore moustaches . During the 1800s, the attitude to facial hair changed as a result of the Indian and Asian Wars . Many Middle Eastern and Indian cultures associated facial hair with wisdom and power . As a result, facial hair, moustaches and side whiskers in particular, became increasingly common on British soldiers stationed in Asia . In the mid-19th century, during the Crimean War, all ranks were encouraged to grow large moustaches, and full beards during winter . </P> <P> After the Crimean war, regulations were introduced that prevented serving soldiers of all ranks from shaving above their top lip, in essence making moustaches compulsory for those who could grow them, although beards were later forbidden . This remained in place until 1916, when the regulation was abolished by an Army Order dated 6 October 1916 . It was issued by Lieutenant - General Sir Nevil Macready, Adjutant - General to the Forces, who loathed his own moustache and immediately shaved it off . However, there is considerable evidence in photographs and film footage that the earlier regulations were widely ignored and that many British soldiers of all ranks were clean - shaven even before 1916 . </P> <P> Since that time, the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Marines have allowed moustaches and connected side whiskers only . Exceptions are beards grown for medical reasons, such as temporary skin irritations, or for religious reasons (usually by Sikhs or Muslims), although in the event of conflict in which the use of chemical or biological weapons is likely, they may be required to shave a strip around the seal of a respirator . Infantry pioneer warrant officers, colour sergeants and sergeants also traditionally wear and are permitted to wear beards; although not compulsory, most do wear them . In some Scottish infantry regiments, it is either permitted or expected, by regimental tradition, for the drum major, pipe major, and / or commanding officer's piper to wear a beard . Beards are also permitted to special forces when on covert intelligence operations or behind enemy lines . </P> <P> More recently, the British Army has been seen sporting a full range of stubble, moustaches and beards in Afghanistan in an effort to blend in with the generally bearded Afghan men, for whom a beard is seen as a sign of virility and authority . </P>

Can you have a beard in the raf
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