Hirsute Army recruits

sir – I agree with Ben Wallace (report, March 30) that allowing bearded personnel in the Army will not be the answer to the recruiting problem. The idea that anyone suitable seeking a military career would be put off by a prohibition on beards is ridiculous, save for certain religious minorities.

The answer is more likely to lie within the privatisation of recruitment, and the delays of many months in the approval process. How much better it was when there were recruitment offices on high streets across the country for the different Armed Forces. Then a young man could call in, talk to a serving sergeant, sign up straight away, and proceed at once to enjoy the military life. The issues relating to adequate health and otherwise were dealt with following the immediate recruitment, bearded, mustachioed or fully shaven.

Jonathan Fogg Loulé, Algarve, Portugal

sir – The ban on beards, now rescinded, was not “ludicrous” as Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, suggested (report, March 29). A proper seal between the skin and a respirator is essential when faced with a chemical or biological threat, so would an order to shave now be issued only if danger is anticipated?

Shaving has been an operational necessity since chemical weapons were used in the First World War, and allegations of their use in Ukraine suggest that the threat has not gone away. This is an alarming sign that those responsible for our defence and soldiers’ safety continue to get their priorities wrong, and make misguided moves to modernise the Army.

Charles Smith-jones Landrake, Cornwall

sir – With its clean-shaven soldiery, the 20th century is perhaps anomalous in relation to the British Army’s historical view of beards. Previous centuries required big, bright uniforms, long flashing cutlery on the end of big muskets, big hats and fierce facial hair. The enemy was intimidated and thus on the back foot long before shots were exchanged.

Lt Col Ian Thompson (retd) Ingst, Gloucestershire