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+ 1..The Gas Mask thing is Not a Hypothesis..Men were Killing Each Other for a Life Saving Razor in the Trenches..A Gas Mask Wont Seal with a Growth..Also..The Royal Navy are Traditionally Allowed to Grow a Beard because the Beard Could be Grabbed to Help a Man Going Overboard..@Missoni is correct. Alexander the Great ordered all his soldiers to cut their beards so the enemy could not grab them and cut their throats. Small price to pay; unless you're in the Dutch army where anything goes, and the odds of being in any real combat are slim to none. If you've ever been in a damp, humid, nasty jungle environment, you'll know that lice is the least of your problems. They may not be in your beard, but they're everywhere else.
So..Different Reasons & Different Traditions..Also..I Served in the Falklands in the Royal Marine Commandos & there was No Pressure to Shave in the Field..I Didn't Shave for Over 3 Months or More..More Importantly Shaving in the Field Can Cause All Sorts of Problems with Skin Infections Etc..
Billy