Army Sgt. Clay Stephens, a medical logistics specialist with the 101st Airborne Division who identifies as a Nordic Pagan, helps move a mock casualty to a field hospital during an exercise in Romania in April 2025. (Rayonne Bissant/U.S. Army)
The Pentagon is tightening regulations governing religious exemptions to military grooming standards, requiring more detailed reviews and stricter documentation across all service branches.
A March 11 memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directs the military to standardize how religious accommodation requests are submitted, reviewed and approved, with an emphasis on consistency across the services.
Under the policy, troops are expected to remain clean-shaven unless granted an exemption on a case-by-case basis for sincerely held religious beliefs.
Applicants must submit detailed documentation demonstrating the sincerity of their beliefs and how grooming requirements conflict with their religious practices.
Required materials include a sworn written statement affirming the belief, a description of the belief and its basis, an explanation of how shaving interferes with that belief and supporting evidence, such as statements from religious leaders.
False statements could result in disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Service members whose requests are denied may leave the military, according to the memo.
The guidance follows earlier moves by Hegseth to tighten grooming standards. In September, he ordered an end to permanent medical shaving exemptions and signaled limits on religious waivers that have allowed some troops to wear beards in recent years.
At a gathering of senior military leaders that month in Quantico, Va., Hegseth criticized what he described as widespread abuse of shaving exemptions.
“No more beardos,” he said. “The era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done. Simply put, if you do not meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a [physical training] test or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new profession.”
The new policy requires unit commanders to evaluate requests for sincerity and assess whether facial hair could interfere with mission requirements or protective equipment. Reviews must include input from immediate supervisors, chaplains and other sources at the commander’s discretion.
Requests will be evaluated under the legal standard of “compelling government interest” and “least restrictive means.”
Commanders must consider potential impacts on readiness, including whether facial hair could affect the seal of gas masks or other protective gear, as well as broader safety risks and mission demands.
Army Sgt. Clay Stephens, a medical logistics specialist with the 101st Airborne Division who identifies as a Nordic Pagan, said the new process appears more rigorous than previous policies.
“Now it’s more thorough to make sure you are truly sincere,” he said by Facebook Messenger on Thursday. “Does it suck for people trying to get one for the first time? Absolutely. Will it stop Soldiers from BSing the system? Absolutely.”
Stephens said he believes everyone should have a choice of growing a beard.
“Other countries do it, why shouldn’t we?” he wrote. “However, just don’t step on those truly trying to follow their religious beliefs.”
Officials who deny requests must provide written explanations outlining operational risks and why alternative accommodations were insufficient.
Previously approved religious accommodations must be reviewed within 90 days. The policy takes effect immediately, with implementation plans due within 30 days.
Stars and Stripes reporter Janiqua Robinson contributed to this report.
