Grown a beard and i've been told that i have to now keep a beard for 6months at the least as it is a change of appearance? can anybody clarify this for me please?
If you've changed your ID card to reflect your altered appearance, as you should, I'd guess your DO may well advise that it should be retained for a minimum period. There's nothing in BR3 Article 3818 (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-an...ents/Naval Publications/BR 3/br3book/ch38.pdf )to state there are minimum timescales, but I'd guess it's a case of applying a little common sense and not changing one's mind on a whim.
Logically if you cannot get a faceseal when wearing BA or a respirator, then you have good reason to shave off.
Grew a beard on deployment once ... got home and 'er indoors made me shave it off as I was scaring the kids! I was more scared of her than the Joss and didn't get any grief!
I have a beard and had a cause to shave it off about a month ago so that I could have my GSR tested in the special RTF tent, it grew back in about a week or so but I didn't need to get special permission to shave it off/grow it back.
AFAIK there is no minimum timescale for having a beard.
I can confirm the speed with which Jimbo's beard grows. When we last went out for a drink, he had a short growth at 1900 but by 2130, it was like sitting opposite this bloke;
When you do shave-off your SET leave a magnificent womb-brush and sideboards like Del Piero and see how long you can wander round your ship/boat/establishment before being hauled up. I once wandered round barracks for a full day sporting a WWII black cap and no fekker took the slightest, grog was in then if that's of any relevance?