It all started back in 2002 with the first units deployed in Afghanistan, none other than the ODA units, known as Green Berets. These Special Forces were allowed to have a more "scruffy" style. Both for safety reasons and for the acceptance of the local population, which perceived bearded men as men with experience who have an important role, that is, as respectable people. Although this is not something that has been recently invented, it's just the return of a warrior style which has been present in history since the hoplites, the Vikings, the ... well, almost all men had beards, right?