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RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:21 am
by vulcanxl425
Reported today in Mail on Sunday the RAF may soon allow airmen to grow beards.The main caveats are that they must get permission from their commanding officer prior before growing and present their beards for inspection.
This follows an RAF survey and experience from Expeditionary Air Wing in Akrotiri Cyprus..
Under the new rules when a hazard clearly exisits then beards to be modified to enable wearing of respirators and breathing apparatus.
Until now personnel were permitted beards only on religious grounds or medical reasons.
Checked date and wasn't 1 April. The policy comes into effect from September 1st. :D

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 12:20 pm
by jamesg23
Sounds like the same way the navy do it.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 1:27 pm
by Mike
It seems a bit sexist to me, are female air crew allowed them too?

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 3:49 pm
by big john
If they can grow a "full set"in a month. :P :lol:

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:44 pm
by mirage41
One of the young SAC airmen ,performing the rotational security duty at CG1 Coningsby, already has a full set.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:48 pm
by Pi
Normally only allowed with a medical chit for poor airman who get shaving rash !

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 6:37 pm
by Drinkmat
Mike wrote:
Sun Aug 11, 2019 1:27 pm
It seems a bit sexist to me, are female air crew allowed them too?
I think it's for all personnel. There's more to the RAF than just aircrew.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 8:37 pm
by red leader
Talking of being sexist how come women in the armed forces are allowed long hair but men aren't? Surely that's sexist?

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 9:18 pm
by sgtangel
red leader wrote:
Sun Aug 11, 2019 8:37 pm
Talking of being sexist how come women in the armed forces are allowed long hair but men aren't? Surely that's sexist?
The police are starting to allow it (Gloucestershire for example) so watch this space

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 9:33 pm
by Nighthawke
IIRC Queen's Regs require(d) women with long hair to have it neatly lifted clear of the collar (eg in a bun)

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:07 pm
by red leader
Yes but the Queen's Regs do not allow a man with long hair to do the same. He must have his cut. Therefore that is sexist.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:34 am
by Morseman
Its OK until you have to put your respirator on, even tear gas enters. If it was a chemical agent you wouldn't stand a chance without a full head mask.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 12:44 pm
by jamesg23
Morseman wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:34 am
Its OK until you have to put your respirator on, even tear gas enters. If it was a chemical agent you wouldn't stand a chance without a full head mask.
And that is why it says if there is a threat risk then beards are to be modified. Dont think there is much risk ar coningsby or any other base though so im sure they will be fine.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 12:50 pm
by Agent K
jamesg23 wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 12:44 pm
Morseman wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:34 am
Its OK until you have to put your respirator on, even tear gas enters. If it was a chemical agent you wouldn't stand a chance without a full head mask.
And that is why it says if there is a threat risk then beards are to be modified. Dont think there is much risk ar coningsby or any other base though so im sure they will be fine.
Apart from the fact that these guys (air and ground crew) are deployed a lot on operations...... they don't just stay at CBY or Marham or wherever.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 2:37 pm
by jamesg23
Agent K wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 12:50 pm
jamesg23 wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 12:44 pm
Morseman wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:34 am
Its OK until you have to put your respirator on, even tear gas enters. If it was a chemical agent you wouldn't stand a chance without a full head mask.
And that is why it says if there is a threat risk then beards are to be modified. Dont think there is much risk ar coningsby or any other base though so im sure they will be fine.
Apart from the fact that these guys (air and ground crew) are deployed a lot on operations...... they don't just stay at CBY or Marham or wherever.
And as i said, they will be modified if the situation arises. I dont see what the big deal is. People need to move with the times.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 3:08 pm
by Agent K
jamesg23 wrote:
Mon Aug 12, 2019 2:37 pm

And as i said, they will be modified if the situation arises. I dont see what the big deal is. People need to move with the times.
Sorry, just reread your comment and yes you did, and agreed, in the big scheme of things it's not a huge deal.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 3:16 pm
by jamesg23
Many countries have been managing this just fine. Look at all the middle eastern nations. Most pilots have beards and can still operate fast jets.

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:45 pm
by GOOSE
There will be lots of old Station Warrant Officers rolling in their graves over this! :roll: :roll:

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 6:23 pm
by lardyboy999
12 years too late for me.

Sporting a rather fetching one now though.....

Re: RAF to allow airmen to have beards

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 7:32 pm
by mirage41
Pi wrote:
Sun Aug 11, 2019 5:48 pm
Normally only allowed with a medical chit for poor airman who get shaving rash !
Met with young matey today, and yes he does have a medical chit covering his shaving rash, and allowing him to carry a beard.

Frustration is that it must be renewed every six months, which sometimes calls for him to go through procedure again if medical expert has moved on (posted).

So, he and his colleagues shaven or not, are pleased.