A Hairy Fight

In the meantime, the modest numbers of Marines in southern Afghanistan mean some units are operating on their own, further out from larger bases. One Marine platoon, for example, is based near the village of Gulestan, in the Farah province that borders Iran. The austere camp of tents and camouflage netting, outlined in rings of dirt-filled barriers meant to absorb blasts and bullets, is many miles from the nearest Marine base.

Last week, the mountain valley was dry and dusty. But spring brings fertile fields of opium and marijuana crops, said the platoon's leader, Lt. Benjamin Brewster. Their presence has had significant impact in improving security for the locals, Brewster said. "When we leave, they will either go back to being farmers, or will be killed," he said.

MarSOC Marines also break up into small teams but don't own battle space, something Conway said keeps them flexible in tackling targets that might not need the support of a conventional unit. That flexibility is readily identifiable by the decision of some to grow beards in an attempt to have status among local Afghan men. "In some cultures, it should be allowed," a senior member of MarSOC's Charlie Company, told NEWSWEEK during a visit to their secluded camp last week.

The special operations Marines have been based in a small remote outpost near the city of Delaram since late June. They wear the same brown digitized uniform as conventional Marine units, carry many of the same weapons and drive in the same Humvees. The nature of their mission has them out among locals more than other units, often great distances from a support base, explained the senior Marine, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of his position. 

At times, they may be forced to depend on those local villages for food and, under extreme circumstances, a brief sanctuary to render medical aid to an injured Marine, he said. "With this in mind situations can turn bad very quickly, so if it means buying a few seconds of life as opposed to death by showing them without words that you know about their customs and culture and respect, then it is definitely worth the effort," he said.

But Gen. Conway may not be totally convinced about the beards. "I have authorized relaxed grooming standards previously as a commander where I thought it made sense," Conway said, explaining he previously approved a mission that required Marines to grow long hair and beards, and dress like Iraqis. "I would do anything if I thought it would enhance the mission or save lives. I'm not sure, as I understand all of the elements of [the south Afghanistan operations] at this point, that [growing a beard] does either."

The issue, however, was momentarily shelved as Conway sat in the blazing mid-day sun in the dusty Delaram camp, perched upon a picnic table talking with the Marines for well over an hour as they ate lunch out of MRE packets. "I was impressed. I'm always impressed with the spirit of our Marines in remote places," Conway later said while en route back to Washington. "There's no loss or lack of enthusiasm for the mission, and that's important because I think we're going to be at it a while."

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