The Pentagon this week announced a sweeping overhaul of military grooming standards, reinforcing a long-standing requirement that U.S. service members remain clean-shaven while narrowing the scope of medical exemptions.
One-Year Limit on Medical Waivers
In a memo dated August 20 and made public Monday, War Secretary Pete Hegseth directed that troops with shaving waivers—typically granted for medical conditions such as pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)—may retain facial hair for up to one year while undergoing treatment. After that period, troops must shave or face administrative separation.
“The Department must remain vigilant in maintaining the grooming standards which underpin the warrior ethos,” Hegseth wrote.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell added that commanders are expected to apply consistent criteria when authorizing exceptions:
“The grooming standard set by the U.S. military is to be clean-shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance.”
Review of Past Decade’s Grooming Rules
The directive also orders military leadership to conduct a review of how grooming policies have evolved over the last 10 years, signaling a push toward tighter enforcement after years of more flexible standards.
Notably, the memo did not specify whether traditional military mustaches remain authorized, leaving the question unresolved.
Religious Exemptions Unaddressed
The updated policy did not mention religious accommodations, which have been a flashpoint since 2017, when the Army began granting beard exemptions for Sikh service members.
That shift opened the door for other requests, including one soldier in 2018 who received approval for a beard under Norse Pagan beliefs. In 2019, however, a soldier citing the satirical “Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster” (Pastafarianism) was denied a beard waiver.
Updates for Female Service Members
The Army also announced adjustments to grooming standards for women, clarifying permitted hairstyles and ponytail lengths, while reaffirming that only clear nail polish is allowed in uniform.
Background on Medical Waivers
Most shaving exemptions apply to service members diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB)—a condition in which curly hair grows back into the skin, causing painful irritation and bumps after shaving. The new rules require affected troops to actively pursue treatment while under a waiver.
