WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has ordered that the military be kicked out of service, which requires exemption from shaving their facial hair for more than a year.
Commanders can still issue exemptions for service members, but policies that have been around for decades – they now have to plan treatments, Hegseth said. The memo was published on Monday, August 20th. According to the memo, troops still needing treatment in a year will be separated from the service.
“The department must remain vigilant about maintaining grooming standards that underpin the warrior’s spirit,” Hegses wrote in his note.
Most shaving exemptions are for babas with pseudo-folikritis or for troops diagnosed with PFB. This is a condition in which the hair returns to the skin after shaving, causing irritation. It is a condition that affects disproportionately Black man.
The memo is silent on whether it is based on the treatments the military will provide to the military affected by the new policy, or the costs of those treatments.
It is also unclear whether policies such as the broad exemption from shaving for special forces in operational environments stationed in Alaska’s Arctic climate, where shaving can pose medical hazards in extreme cold weather, are unknown.
Announcements applicable to all military service come when the Army announces Unique grooming standard update. The Army has significantly reduced the acceptable appearance standards for soldiers, with women’s standards being most revised, including nails, hairstyles, earrings and makeup.
