Gents,
I am always fascinated by pictures of 1970s era BW soldiers with really long hair.
As a retired U.S. infantryman, I couldn't imagine trying to maintain any semblance of personal hygiene during a long field problem with a 'mop' like those pictured. Nor could I imagine trying to get a good seal with a gas mask with a beard.
The Bundeswehr of the 1970s was a far cry from the Wehrmacht of the 1940s (and there is a lot of good to be said about that...), not to mention their fellow Germans serving across the border in the NVA.
While stationed in the BRD in the late 1980s, I was astounded to learn from BW soldiers in my partnership unit (Panzergrenadierbattailon 342) that buzz cuts were strictly prohibited by regulation. Close haircuts were favored by the Neo-Nazi movement and thus the BW could not allow this style of haircut for fear of alarming the public.
Your thoughts?
Thanks,
TJ
I am always fascinated by pictures of 1970s era BW soldiers with really long hair.
As a retired U.S. infantryman, I couldn't imagine trying to maintain any semblance of personal hygiene during a long field problem with a 'mop' like those pictured. Nor could I imagine trying to get a good seal with a gas mask with a beard.
The Bundeswehr of the 1970s was a far cry from the Wehrmacht of the 1940s (and there is a lot of good to be said about that...), not to mention their fellow Germans serving across the border in the NVA.
While stationed in the BRD in the late 1980s, I was astounded to learn from BW soldiers in my partnership unit (Panzergrenadierbattailon 342) that buzz cuts were strictly prohibited by regulation. Close haircuts were favored by the Neo-Nazi movement and thus the BW could not allow this style of haircut for fear of alarming the public.
Your thoughts?
Thanks,
TJ
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