I have also read that you can't effectively use a gas mask if you have a beard; you will not be able to get a good seal where the facial hair meets the mask.


That's why the CNO and the Commandant made us shave our beards but most us kept smooth shaven from the jaw line down and very few people had any "seal problems" but the excuse was sufficient.

Being "smartass sailors", many of us placed our facial hairs in envelopes addressed to either the CNO or COMMANDANT, as was appropriate!!! That's probably the closest that the USN and/or the USCG has come to servicewide Mutinies,,,,,mutinies without sedition!!!!!! at that!!!!!!