 |
In this June 20, 1942 photo provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Howard Curtis, a U.S. Navy second-class aerographer, wears a seven-month’s beard at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Though the Navy said in July 2018, that its servicewomen could wear longer hairstyles, servicemen have not been permitted to wear beards, which were banned in 1984. (Naval History and Heritage Command via AP) |
By JENNIFER McDERMOTT, AP
PROVIDENCE, R.I.
Now that women in the Navy can wear ponytails, men want beards.
[post_ads]The Navy said last week that servicewomen could sport ponytails, lock hairstyles, or ropelike strands, and wider hair buns, reversing a policy that long forbade women from letting their hair down.
Servicemen immediately chimed in on social media, asking the Navy if they could grow beards. A sailor’s Facebook post with a #WeWantBeards hashtag was shared thousands of times.
Beards were banned in 1984. The Navy wanted professional-looking sailors who could wear firefighting masks and breathing apparatuses without interference.
The Navy says that’s still the case. Still, some hope the change in female grooming standards opens the door.
 |
Travis Rader, a naval physical security officer, poses for a photo near Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Okla., Friday, July 20, 2018. Now that women in the Navy can wear ponytails, men want beards. Rader says allowing beards would boost morale for men. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) |
Travis Rader, a 29-year-old naval physical security officer, said allowing beards would boost morale for men, just like allowing ponytails and locks has for women. There are two things that would make many Navy men happy: beards and better boots, he added.
Rader had a 6-inch-long beard when he joined the Navy after high school.
“You take something away from somebody, and they want it more,” said Rader, a master-at-arms assigned to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.
The Navy announced it was adding grooming options for women during a Facebook Live event. Many black women had asked the Navy to be more inclusive of different hair textures. The Navy had the standards in place because of safety concerns and to ensure everyone maintained a uniform, professional look.
Rader had a 6-inch-long beard when he joined the Navy after high school.
“You take something away from somebody, and they want it more,” said Rader, a master-at-arms assigned to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.
The Navy announced it was adding grooming options for women during a Facebook Live event. Many black women had asked the Navy to be more inclusive of different hair textures. The Navy had the standards in place because of safety concerns and to ensure everyone maintained a uniform, professional look.
 |
In this circa 1890 photo provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command, seven members of U.S. Navy sit together aboard the USS Enterprise in New York. Though the Navy said in July 2018 that its servicewomen could wear longer hairstyles, servicemen have not been permitted to wear beards, which were banned in 1984. (Naval History and Heritage Command via AP) |
Rader was one of several sailors who wrote in the comments section of the Facebook Live event to press for beards. Bill Williams, a 20-year-old naval information systems technician, commented too, asking why sailors can’t have beards if bearded civilian firefighters wear masks.
Williams said he thinks a nice, well-groomed beard looks professional.
[post_ads_2]
“It’d be great because I know that when I shave for multiple days in a row, it starts to really hurt,” said Williams, who works at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Hampton Roads in Virginia.
Sailors can get permission to grow a beard for religious reasons or if they have a skin condition that’s irritated by shaving. Mustaches are allowed as long as they are trimmed and neat.
“Handlebar mustaches, goatees, beards or eccentricities are not permitted,” the policy states. The Navy isn’t currently considering changing that.
Williams said he thinks a nice, well-groomed beard looks professional.
[post_ads_2]
“It’d be great because I know that when I shave for multiple days in a row, it starts to really hurt,” said Williams, who works at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Hampton Roads in Virginia.
Sailors can get permission to grow a beard for religious reasons or if they have a skin condition that’s irritated by shaving. Mustaches are allowed as long as they are trimmed and neat.
“Handlebar mustaches, goatees, beards or eccentricities are not permitted,” the policy states. The Navy isn’t currently considering changing that.
 |
In this Feb. 25, 1919, photo provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command, Capt. Julius L. Latimer, left, bids goodbye to Cmdr. William B. Franklin after assuming command of the Pelham Bay Naval Training Station in New York. Though the Navy said in July 2018 that its servicewomen could wear longer hairstyles, servicemen have not been permitted to wear beards, which were banned in 1984. (Naval History and Heritage Command via AP) |
Safety continues to be the primary concern, said Lt. j.g. Stuart Phillips, a spokesman for the chief of naval personnel. He referenced a 2016 study by the Naval Safety Center, which concluded that facial hair affects the proper fit and performance of respirators.
