The Royal HAIR force: RAF airmen are to be allowed to grow beards up to EIGHT INCHES long for first time in force’s 101-year history
- The change to the ‘facial hair policy’ will take effect from September 1
- Beards must be ‘trimmed and neat’ and cover the whole jawline
- Airmen were allowed moustaches but this brings them in line with the Navy
The Royal Air Force are allowing its airmen to grow beards for the first time in its 101-year history.
The change to their ‘facial hair policy’ will take effect from September 1, but there are still strict rules on the beards.
The airmen, who are already allowed moustaches, will have to ensure their beards are ‘trimmed and neat’, cover the whole jawline and be no longer than ten inches.
The Royal Air Force are allowing its airmen to grow beards for the first time in its 101-year history
Senior NCOs will be granted the authority to decide what is acceptable, according to The Sun on Sunday.
Air chief marshal Mike Wigston, the new head of the air staff, is thought to be behind the new policy.
An insider said: ‘It’s all about moving with the times. But there will still be rules.
‘We won’t be having unkempt beards of wacky designs. It needs to be trimmed and neat. Standards are not slipping.’
A spokesman for the Force said he hopes the moves promotes inclusivity and broadens the RAF’s recruitment pool.
Air chief marshal Mike Wigston, the new head of the air staff, is thought to be behind the new policy
The changes brings the Force in line with the Royal Navy.
But the Army does not allow beards except for religious or medical reasons and has no plans to change its policy.
The Canadian National Defence has also relaxed its beard regulations recently while the US Army gave permission to a soldier to grow a beard due to his beliefs as a Norse Pagan.