Quote Originally Posted by Tacitus View Post
I've never understood the hostility of the U.S. armed forces to beards and longer hair. Like Tom says, that wasn't always the case with this, either.
Until the early 1990's, IIRC, Navy personnel could grow beards and such while aboard ship, but I think that went away in part because of difficulties with gas-masks.

If it were up to me, I would discourage ACU/utility uniforms in public, and actively encourage Class A's/B's. My impression of the Army is they seem to have rid themselves of everything but ACU's and I see them worn way too often, including official functions. The Army has some great uniforms and IMO would be better served by wearing A's and B's instead of ACU's in public.