Changes to the British Army mark a historic moment as the ban on facial hair for servicemen is lifted for the first time since 1908. This decision was made with the support of King Charles III and aims to increase the number of military personnel.
In the British army, it was allowed to grow beards, on the condition that the facial vegetation has a neat appearance - this will be additionally checked. Senior officer Sergeant Major Paul Carney confirmed the rule change in a four-minute video posted on The Independent's YouTube channel.
The abolition of the century-old ban will allow growing a "full" beard up to 2.5 cm long.
Beards must be trimmed on the cheekbones and neck, without "spotty or uneven growth", without color that stands out. Paul Carney, Warrant Officer Class 1 (a rank between NCO and NCO), meanwhile insists that beards must be neat to meet standards.
The ban on facial vegetation has been in effect since 1908. Now soldiers of the ground forces have been put on an equal footing with sailors, who have worn beards for centuries, and pilots, for whom a similar ban was lifted in 2019.
Soldiers will be able to return to the barracks with vegetation already after the upcoming Easter vacation.
According to Officer Carney, this decision was not made immediately. Helped by, among others, politicians, allies and His Majesty King Charles III.
Active military and army veterans were also consulted. Senior officers hope that the relaxation of the rules will help recruit army personnel.
General conscription may be declared in the British Isles if the country has to go to war with Russia, because now "the armed forces are too small", the army leadership warns.
