Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced strict new grooming rules for the U.S. military this week. The changes have led to a lot of anger from service members who say the policy will unfairly hurt people of color and those with religious beliefs. The changes were announced during a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on September 30, 2025.
The new rules say all troops must be clean-shaven except for special operations forces. The policy ends permanent medical shaving waivers and limits religious exemptions that previously let some service members wear beards.
Vice President JD Vance defended the new rules when talking to reporters. Vance is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq. He said that when he was a young Marine, he did not have a beard. Vance then added that he is now the vice president, so he gets to do what he wants to do. However, he said that Hegseth is trying to put in place high standards, and that is a very good thing.
During his Quantico speech, Hegseth talked against what he called the era of unprofessional appearance. He said that the era of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done. Many service members quickly spoke out online with anger. In a TikTok video, user @khyreephoenix questioned the policy by asking, “Do you realize how many Black men you’re gonna lose doing this?” The worry centers on pseudofolliculitis barbae, a painful skin problem that causes razor bumps and affects up to 60 percent of Black men, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Medical and religious worries drive pushback against new policy
The new rules say troops with medical waivers must take part in treatment plans. If the condition does not get better within one year, those service members will face being kicked out of the military. Hegseth said that if you want a beard, you can join special forces, but if not, then shave. He also said that if you do not meet the male-level physical standards for combat positions, cannot pass a fitness test, or don’t want to shave and look professional, it’s time for a new position or a new job. The grooming rules announcement was part of Hegseth’s bloodthirsty rant to military top brass, where he said soldiers should be allowed to do what they want to enemies.
— The Patriot Oasis
BREAKING – Thousands of military personnel are now complaining on social media over Pete Hegseth’s CRACKDOWN on beard restrictions in the U.S. military. With many saying they are leaving service over it. pic.twitter.com/vy8USE369p
(@ThePatriotOasis) October 1, 2025
Religious groups have also raised concerns about the changes. The policy goes back to pre-2010 standards for religious accommodations and generally does not allow facial hair waivers. This affects Sikh, Muslim, and Jewish service members who keep beards as part of their faith. The Council on American-Islamic Relations sent a letter to Hegseth asking for more details on religious exemptions. The Sikh Coalition said they worry that the policy could force service members to choose between their faith and their military careers.
@khyreephoenix ♬ aquatic ambience – Scizzie
What do yall think about the military banning beards?
#MilitaryTikTok #NoShaveChit #PseudofolliculitisBarbae #Navy #military
Many service members posted videos on social media talking about how the policy could end their careers. One military member on TikTok said that he has a medical condition he cannot control, and laser hair removal is permanent and expensive. Another pointed out that laser removal can be risky for people with darker skin because of higher melanin content.
The Pentagon has given military branches 60 days to make plans for putting the new grooming rules in place and about 90 days to enforce them. Critics say that the policy will push out talented troops who have served well even though they needed medical or religious accommodations. The beard policy is one of several controversial changes Hegseth announced, including new fitness standards that he admits will ban women soldiers who cannot meet his requirements.
