In brief
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a new directive requiring troops who need a longer than one-year exemption from shaving to be discharged. While medical waivers for conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae are still authorized, they must include a treatment plan. Uncertainties remain about the resources available to troops needing these treatments and how this will affect certain specialized units.
WASHINGTON — In a significant move to uphold military grooming standards, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that service members requiring an exemption from shaving their facial hair for more than a year will face discharge from the armed forces.
Although commanders can still grant exemptions, a new policy requires that all requests come with a documented medical treatment plan. Troops who continue to need treatment after one year will be separated from the service, according to a memo made public on Monday.
The Department must remain vigilant in maintaining the grooming standards which underpin the warrior ethos, Hegseth wrote in the memo.
Most exemptions pertain to troops diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), a condition that predominantly impacts Black men, where hair curls back into the skin causing irritation.
However, the memo does not specify what medical treatments the military will provide for those affected or if it will cover the costs related to these treatments.
Additionally, questions have arisen about how this policy will impact established exemptions for special forces or soldiers stationed in colder climates like Alaska, where shaving could lead to medical issues.
The announcement reflects broader changes within military guidelines; concurrently, the Army has revised its appearance standards, significantly altering regulations for female troops concerning hairstyles, nails, and accessories.
