Mustaches for E-4 and above only? Does this still hold true?

Cpl Dennis F. — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:31:22 -0400

This may hold true only for tankers. While in RVN the rules re: mustaches were only allowed for E-4 and above. As such a 'stache became an un-official badge of rank among E-4/5s. Does anything like that still occur?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 11:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 11:44:36 -0400

I got a chance to work with some Canadians recently. There was one officer that had a handlebar mustache. Apparently they have the same regulations as we do on how it can't extend beyond the end of your mouth but they aren't limited on length. They said that a lot of them will grow a mustache and then have it turned up at the corners because their regulations don't say you can't do it.

Response by CPO Bernie Penkin made Sep 5 at 2014 1:54 PM

CPO Bernie Penkin — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 13:54:15 -0400

When I was in the Navy you had to be an E2 for a mustache and an E4 for a beard. Grew both at the appropriate advancement. 1985 came along and beards had to go. Pure politics was the reason. Got out in '85 and grew the beard back. Joined the Coast Guard Reserve in '86. Beards were still authorized. The new Commandant hated beards and banned them again. This time we were told it was for safety reasons. Retired from active duty in'05. The beard returned with a vengeance and hasn't left yet.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Sep 5 at 2014 2:06 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 14:06:26 -0400

"Back in the day" mustaches were very common for Cavalry officers. To echo SSG Private RallyPoint Member 's comments, I work in a NATO environment and mustache's and beards are very common within the 28 Nations.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2014 2:18 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 02:18:52 -0400

We were in the middle of nowhere Iraq and had no adult supervision. The AIR CAV staches were.....glorious. I couldn't partake.....too many years as a CSM fearing grunt. I felt bad for the CSM at the time. The SCO had one of the best ones around. If someone can teach me how to put a black square over faces, I'll post some winners.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 11 at 2015 10:15 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 10:15:12 -0500

Cpl Dennis F., these days as a general rule (not regulation) most Marines only wear mustaches in the field/deployed or November. http://terminallance.com/2010/04/27/terminal-lance-33-they-were-never-cool/

Terminal Lance - Terminal Lance #33 “They’ve Never Been Cool”

Rarely, in any circumstance, are mustaches an acceptable decision for facial hair. For the Marine, it’s the only decision that is within regs. Does that make it okay? No, not at all. In fact, the only time it is acceptable (and actually encouraged) for a Marine to have a mustache is in the field. Specifically, CAX or some other large training event. The CAX-stache (Mojave Viper for you toosies out there) is a staple of the event. The Hawaii...

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 11:38 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:38:36 -0400

Although that idea is still floating around, it's more of a symbol of someone being in long enough to rate it anyways, or just enough to not give a fuck. I mean really, I'm sure you know many Lances that deserve to be NCO's more than most Sgts really.