Embedding with U.S. special forces is not like embedding with regular troops. David Axe found that out the moment he stepped into the secret base-within-the-base in eastern Afghanistan.

The wearing of beards by U.S. and allied special operations forces dates back to the invasion in 2001, when small teams of troops worked with Northern Alliance forces to overthrow the Taliban.

A U.S. Special Operations Forces team leader meets with a local Afghan Local Police checkpoint commander in Arghandab district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, May 23, 2013. The SOF team conducted ...

The beard became a marker of hard men who did their part to win the war, ... But when we see the Special Forces assassin travel deep into that jungle, he is clean-shaven.

They can grow beards In this photo, a Marine Special Operations team member provides overwatch for Afghan National Army Special Forces to help Afghan Local Police build a checkpoint in Helmand ...

Although U.S. special operations forces have worn beards while operating in countries such as Afghanistan to abide by cultural norms for men, they were also expected to be shorn of their excess ...

They can grow beards In this photo, a Marine Special Operations team member provides overwatch for Afghan National Army Special Forces to help Afghan Local Police build a checkpoint in Helmand ...