Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a memo enforcing a no-beard policy for all US military personnel, effective immediately, after noticing the policy was not being uniformly enforced across branches. The memo, dated July 10, 2026, requires all service members to be clean-shaven unless they have a medical or religious exemption.
The policy applies to all active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel. Exemptions for medical conditions, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, or religious accommodations, such as for Sikhs or Muslims, must be formally approved through established channels.
Hegseth, who became Defense Secretary in January 2025, emphasized the need for uniformity and discipline. The memo states that commanders are responsible for ensuring compliance and that non-compliance may result in disciplinary action.
The policy has sparked debate among service members and veterans, with some arguing it is outdated and others supporting it as a matter of tradition. The Pentagon has not released data on the number of exemptions currently granted.
