"...try a three-year stint in the USMC. You get to rid yourself of all personal accessories (including hair), and learn about and develop the REAL you."
The last radically "Pro-beard" guy I flew with was a 23 year old FO, who showed up on day three with a feigned apology about not having time to shave his beard that morning. I had to look very, very, very close to see that he was right.