An "Olds" Tradition: Mustache March

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacy Moless
  • 374 AW
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Mustache March is annual event occurring in the month of March where men in the United States Air Force grow mustaches to honor Air Force legend General Robin Olds. The idea stems from an early Air Force tradition in which members of the Air Force would grow mustaches in good-natured protest against facial hair regulations during the month of March. Olds grew what he called a "bulletproof mustache" during Vietnam. It was meticulously waxed, in the shape of a handlebar, and extended beyond the edge of his lips in violation of grooming standards.

Mustache March participants must comply with the conservative mustache standards of Air Force instruction 36-2903. This rules out anything long or bushy - and definitely no handlebars or horseshoes. Even with the facial hair regulations in effect, members at Yokota Air base, Japan were still able to grown a variety of impressive "lip sweaters."