military grooming standards
Pentagon Urged to Reconsider Military Beard-Shaving Policy for Sikh Service Members and Religious Minorities
Oct 23, 2025 02:32 pm CST
US Congressman Thomas Suozzi has called on the Pentagon to reconsider its blanket beard-shaving policy, emphasizing the religious significance of uncut hair for Sikh service members and others with faith-based or medical reasons to maintain facial hair. The appeal highlights the possibility of maintaining military professionalism while accommodating religious beliefs, preventing qualified Americans from having to choose between their faith and serving their country.
Pentagon's New Grooming Policy: How Hegseth's Beard Ban Impacts Religious Service Members
Oct 04, 2025 05:01 pm CST
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's new military grooming standards prohibiting beards and long hair have sparked significant backlash from religious advocacy groups. The Sikh Coalition and other organizations argue these regulations force religious service members to choose between their faith and military service, as the Pentagon's memo reverting to pre-2010 standards effectively eliminates religious accommodations for facial hair within a 90-day implementation period.