SAS troops have to shave after a photo of soldiers with beards surfaced

The Special Forces have always been given a certain leeway in how they dress when participating in combat operations overseas.

But after a photo surfaced of troops sporting beards, long hair and even baseball caps with their uniforms after a training exercise in Kent, they were ‘reminded’ by senior commanders to abide by King’s Regulations in the UK.

These are the rules governing the dress code and conduct of the armed forces while stationed in barracks.

The basic rules are that troops must be clean shaven and have their hair clipped over the ears and above the collar. Also, personnel may not mix civilian and military clothing.

The series of photos showed members of the SAS and the Special Forces Support Group at a police station in Maidstone, Kent, following a training exercise. Two members of the group wore baseball caps with military uniform – a violation of the military’s dress code.

The two men also had hair longer than collar length and one of the group had a beard.

Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) personnel often wear clothing that helps them blend into the local environment while participating in covert operations.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, SRR troops were often deployed to operations dressed as locals, forcing them to grow beards.

An army source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The Special Forces have been reminded that it is not necessary for them to have beards and long hair when they return to the UK.

‘Like any soldier serving in the British Army, they are expected to present themselves correctly. An unkempt appearance is unacceptable, regardless of which regiment a soldier serves.”

A former member of the SAS said long hair and beards have become an unnecessary trend among some Special Forces units.

He said, “It’s something carried over from serving with the US Navy Seals and Delta Force.”

A Defense Ministry spokesman said the government was not commenting on the Special Forces.