Hasan's beard

Posted Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 0 comments  Print Reprints
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As a retired Army chief warrant officer, I must respond to the Wednesday article, "Judge lets Fort Hood suspect keep his beard."

Injustice comes to my mind. What precedent was used when a military judge can make such a ruling? The judge told Nidal Hasan that his beard "violates Army regulations" yet allowed it.

I served for more than 20 years in the Army, and we were all required to maintain a shaved, cosmetic appearance, which meant no beards would be grown. This decision opens many potential problems when individual personnel can ignore orders, written or verbal. I believe this decision has political implications.

Heaven help the Army commanders if this order remains in place.

-- C. Ray Downing, Arlington

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