The beard and its prophets

The thing has a beard. A tactical one. The Tactical Beard Owners Club (TBOC) brings together what has long belonged together, since warriors have been allowed to wear decent beards. We asked Mike Hartman from TBOC to tell us about the global alliance of tactical facial hair. And which beards can actually become members of the club...

SPARTANAT: Mike, the Tactical Beard Owners Club (TBOC) unites the tactical beard wearers of the world. At least the Western ones. How did TBOC come about?

Mike Hartmann: It's not just the Western ones. The TBOC is now a worldwide "network of tactical beard wearers". The largest part unsurprisingly comes from the USA, the second largest from Europe, with Germany even being the furthest ahead. This is probably because the founder is from Germany and we have good word of mouth among shooters, police officers, and especially Bundeswehr soldiers. I never thought that the topic would be so popular among soldiers. We have members from the USA and Europe, as well as members from more exotic places like the Philippines, South Africa, Russia, Australia, to name just a few.

Regarding the origin, I have to say it was a spontaneous impulse. I hadn't been on Facebook for long (I had avoided it for a long time), but at the end of 2011, I registered an account there and quickly understood how Facebook "works". It became clear to me how quickly a good idea could inspire many people and make new friends. After seeing how many "like-minded" people were on Facebook and how many well-known figures from the tactical scene were also represented there, I felt the impulse to contribute with a good idea. At that time, there were a few not very serious jokes and wisdom about the so-called "Combat Beard" or "Tactical Beard". But no one had made a serious thing out of it. I have had a full beard since 2008, and the "Tactical Beard" topic was familiar to me since 2003. I had read an article in "Der Spiegel" where the Green Berets were introduced, who were the very first to go to Afghanistan in 2002. ODA 961. I still have that issue of Der Spiegel after 10 years and will keep it. My beard, the article, my enthusiasm for everything tactical, and the opportunity to build "communities" ultimately led to the founding of TBOC. It was always a mix of serious community thinking and the lightness of being a beard wearer. They have more humor than clean-shaven ones because they often have to hear that they are either the Taliban themselves, a Berber, or a fictional character. But we are the opposite, we are the "good guys". So, if you want to feel safe in a battle, you're best off being near a "TBO" (Tactical Beard Owner) and following their instructions.SPARTANAT: Are you just a virtual community or does TBOC actually do something?
Mike Hartmann: Many communities on Facebook cannot be proven to have any "utility", but that is generally the case with TBOC. We see ourselves as a "brotherhood", as a "network" to actually organize on a platform that is exclusively for members. For example, important information is sometimes exchanged more quickly through our platform than through official channels. Due to the backgrounds of the members, all PERSEC and OPSEC requirements are of course observed. Furthermore, TBOC is intended to build friendships. In real life. We have established so-called "Chapters" (similar to a MC) to have real meeting points. It all started with the original Chapter "Kabul" in Afghanistan. We now have several chapters in Afghanistan and around the world. Each chapter has a chapter flag. This flag is perceived as something special. It is the symbol of a bastion in a sea of beardless faces. All bearded individuals who are also weapon carriers are called upon to gather under the flag and make new friendships.
Great contacts have been made. I have personally met people whom I would never have met without the club. And they come from the Middle East or Australia just to meet me. It is simply "amazing" as the Americans say.

For example: The Australian band "The Beards" (a band that only sings about beards) had a concert in Berlin. This turned into a four-day TBOC meeting with the band, BBQ, concert attendance, where "TBOs" from the USA, Australia, Poland, and Germany participated. Why? Simply because we can. At the IWA in Nuremberg, there is an international meeting every year with about two dozen TBOC members present. In addition, the very well-known Kyle Lamb was accepted as an honorary member. He has an impressive beard that can tell a lot of stories.SPARTANAT: How much beard does a man need to become a TBOC member?
Mike Hartmann: We strongly distinguish here between "Facial Hair" and a "Full grown beard". What is not enough are all beards that are not "grown out". This includes 3-day beards, patchy stubble, lady beards, nose hairs, and stubble. But we definitely do not want "gangsta-style" beards that represent a kind of eyeliner around the chin. It is not necessary for the beard to be a full beard (although this makes acceptance into the club much more straightforward and is therefore preferred). A chin beard, a goatee will also be accepted if they are truly "grown out". Anything that can be removed with a sharp towel doesn't count at all. I want to mention that this is not a "tactical club for people who might have beards". This is 100 percent both. Beard and tactical.

The acceptance rate is about 1 in 10. Background, use, appearance on Facebook (and last but not least) the beard are what matter. If these factors do not fit into a complete picture, then unfortunately one will be rejected. Some will never be accepted, others apply with a small beard, are rejected, develop the right ambition, and later come back with a substantial full beard. Therefore, attitude and conviction play a much larger role than some might think. But we only want those who understand that.

SPARTANAT: Since when have you been wearing a full beard? What connects you with the tactical community?
Mike Hartmann: I have been blessed with a lot of hair on my body. I received an electric shaver from Braun for my confirmation. Not as a pious wish, but rather in the spirit of "shave yourself" ... because at 14, I could have grown a full beard if I wanted to. This compulsion to shave has haunted me until I turned 21. Since then, I have had various "trial runs" like a "D'Artagnan beard" (mustache with a separate goatee) in Africa, which earned me the nickname "Actor". (This was probably also due to the scarf and the German Southwest hat I wore.) Later I had 5-day beards or full chin beards. Since 2008, the beard is now FULL and bushy, wiry and hard to control. But it is turning gray. Will I dye it? Never! I am proud of it.

I have always had a good connection to the tactical community, more intensively in recent years. I am a sport shooter and occasionally write an article for a well-known trade magazine. I have contacts with major manufacturers in the tactical industry and personalities from the training scene. There has always been a lot of interaction with the Bundeswehr and veteran comradeships. My contacts in the tactical scene have grown over the years and were not only present through TBOC.

SPARTANAT: Honestly, isn't it strange that in the conflict between the Western and Muslim world, suddenly both sides wear beards?
Mike Hartmann: I have been waiting for this question. Thank you for finally allowing me to answer it for a broader audience. If one looks at world history from the perspective of "armed beard wearers", it quickly becomes clear that a beard was not an invention of the Prophet Muhammad. Beards have existed since the dawn of humanity and have always been a sign of masculinity. Whether it's the Greek hoplites with their proud beards in the 4th or 5th century BC (almost 1,000 years before Muhammad), the wild Germanic tribes, or the Vikings: male warriors have always worn beards. It is true that beards are allowed in military units in Afghanistan so that the soldier gains acceptance in the Muslim world. But what is absolutely not true and not accepted by us is that a Muslim terrorist can do more with a beard than a TBO. On the contrary. In terms of "masculinity", terrorists forfeit the right to wear a beard with their cowardice in their warfare. We do not consider ambushes, attacks, or remotely triggered explosives as part of a balanced masculine demeanor. Not to mention other inhumane acts in the name of Islamic law that I do not want to mention here.

SPARTANAT: Any advice for people who do not have a beard yet but still find TBOC attractive?
Mike Hartmann: Those who STILL do not have a beard should grow one. Every minute you don't shave, the beard grows. It takes dedication, patience, and strong nerves. That's what makes a real beard wearer. And these qualities remain with you with the beard. We are not hipsters, we are not fashion freaks. We still wear beards when no one else wants to wear them. Stay Calm. Beard on.

THE TACTICAL BEARD OWNERS CLUB (TBOC) was founded in November 2011 with a handful of invitations personally sent by Mike Hartmann and has since grown to over 1700 members. The fan page has been around since December 2011 and already has nearly 40,000 likes. Patches are only for members, they have been copied a lot since the founding, but never matched in quality, and there are three patch variations. More information is available on the fan page.

HERE is the website of TBOC with links to Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Youtube.