A Nevada Army Guard soldier serving in Afghanistan, is a “Norse Pagan,” and he has gotten a religious exception to wear a beard based on his beliefs. The Nevada Army Guard says Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper is the first guard soldier to receive a religious accommodation approval for a beard. Norse paganism is a religion that is based on ancient beliefs that believes there is more than one God. 34 year old Hopper from Madison, Alabama, says he has been practicing the Norse pagan faith for nearly 20 years. He believes the beard matches his modern warrior lifestyle. Two other pagan soldiers are also requesting a waiver for a beard.