We all know that soldiers in the British Army are not allowed to wear beards on parade. But that isn’t quite true. There is one rank who is allowed a full beard: the Pioneer Sergeant.

Pioneer Sergeants have existed since the 18th century, beginning when every British infantry company had one ‘pioneer’ who would march in front of the regiment. He would wear a stout apron, which protected his uniform whilst he was performing his duties, and carry an axe to clear the path for anyone following behind. It was also the Pioneer Sergeant’s duty to kill horses that had been wounded in battle, do running repairs and be a blacksmith. Consequently they were traditionally the biggest, strongest, “do-not-fuck-with-me” member of the company.
In modern parades, Pioneer Sergeants still wear their ceremonial aprons and carry their traditional axes in place of a bayonet.
And of course there are other, less traditional, exceptions to the “no beards” rule such a Sikhs.
More over on Forces TV.