Mustache March

Midway through March marks the start of our spring break here at the University of Minnesota, and with that comes an update to the challenge given from a top spot in the chain of command. Late in February, the Air Force's Chief of Staff, General Mark A. Welsh III, issued a challenge to the entire Air Force, though mostly the men many would hope, to grow the best mustache in what has become an Air Force tradition of Mustache March. He called for full participation in his address to the Air Force Association, stating “I don’t think we’ve ever had an all-in Mustache March, have we?” Here at Detachment 415, we are honoring this challenge, and although we aren’t officially part of the Air Force wide competition, we are hosting one of our own.

During our Leadership Laboratory on 26 February, we were given the challenge and given the rules. Not any mustache would do for this competition, because many styles are wildly out of regulation for what can be grown. Regulations state that the mustache must not extend beyond the vertical planes drawn by the corners of the lips, and that the mustache must also not touch the upper lip. Such regulations result in admittedly interesting appearances to say the least. From pencils, to lampshades, to painter’s brushes, to peach fuzz, there are many ways to grow a regulation mustache, although for many the peach fuzz is not much of a choice. With such interest drawn to Mustache March this year, it is interesting to look into its origins in the Air Force.

Regulations have more or less always been in place to govern the appearance of military individuals, and facial hair is no exception. While some facial hair is permitted as described above, the limits are quite prohibitive for those that desire a more full facial feeling. Such was the case with Air Force pilot Robin Olds. Olds was well known for his flying career, one in which he earned himself the title of “triple ace,” earning each title for a victory against five enemy aircraft. In total, Olds had 16 victories spread throughout Word War II and the Vietnam War. Although his flying career is undoubtedly impressive, Olds was better known for his stylish mustache. He grew a very full, and wonderfully waxed mustache that was wildly against Air Force regulations. He grew it in part because many airmen would sport “bulletproof mustaches” as a superstition, but also as a sort of protest against the appearance standards. Mustache March is now an Air Force tradition in honor of Brigadier General Robin Olds.

Included are some of the more notable two week check up ‘staches.