Pentagon limits shaving waivers to 1 year, orders review of grooming standards
The Pentagon’s Aug. 20 memo, made public in mid‑September 2025, limits shaving waivers across all branches to one year, requires an accompanying medical treatment plan and says service members may be separated if the condition persists beyond that period, while not specifying treatment options, costs or how the rule interacts with special‑operations/Arctic shaving rules or religious accommodations; it cites pseudofolliculitis barbae as a common condition. Adviser Hegseth has ordered a review of how grooming standards have changed over the last decade, with Pentagon spokespeople stressing a uniform “clean‑shaven” standard as the Army simultaneously tightened appearance rules for female soldiers — moves observers have tied to broader Pentagon rebranding and more aggressive rhetoric.
📰 Sources (3)
- Frames the shaving-waivers and grooming orders within a broader Pentagon rebranding as the 'Department of War'.
- Reports physical rebranding actions (seals bolted to walls and podiums at bases) and links these to Hegseth’s rhetoric on a more aggressive posture.
- Hegseth orders leaders to review how grooming standards have changed over the last decade.
- Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized the 'clean‑shaven' standard and uniform application of exceptions.
- Memo does not address mustaches or religious accommodations; background notes prior Army religious‑beard exemptions and test cases.
- Article notes the Army also updated grooming standards for female soldiers this week, clarifying authorized hairstyles/ponytail lengths and limiting nail polish to clear.
- Memo dated Aug. 20, 2025; made public Sept. 15–16, 2025
- Exemptions must include a medical treatment plan; separation if needed beyond one year
- Applies to all military branches; memo does not specify treatment options or costs
- Common condition cited: pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), which disproportionately affects Black men
- Unclear interaction with existing special operations and Arctic-duty shaving policies
- Announcement comes as the Army separately tightened grooming and appearance standards