The place of beards in the life of the Army
sir – The trouble with young men’s beards is that they are not uniform; frequently they are no more than embarrassing novelty facial hair (“Army reviews beard ban”, report, October 3)
Army life is made much simpler when the only beards on parade are those belonging (in my old regiment’s case) to the Pipe Major and the Pioneer Sergeant. Proper Highland bushes they were, too. Alasdair Ogilvy
Stedham, West Sussex
sir – I applaud the call for the wearing of beards by soldiers in the Army. Having fought hard (and failed) during the Seventies for Kevin Keegan perms, Zapata moustaches and accompanying flared trousers, I now see this as a great opportunity for the Army to get down with the kids.
Come on, Army, let’s do it – don’t be put off by those Dutch soldiers becoming the laughing stock of Nato when they were issued with hairnets to contain their long tresses. (It goes without saying that female and transgender soldiers must be allowed beards as well.)
Lt Col Ray Aldis (retd)
Salisbury, Wiltshire