Pentagon unveils new 'clean shaven' grooming standards

5 pointsposted 7 hours ago
by benkan
(thehill.com)

3 Comments

dc396

4 hours ago

The consistent focus of form over substance is wearying.

eesmith

4 hours ago

The substance is to reduce the number of Black men in the military.

"A common reason for medical waivers is pseudofolliculitis barbae, or razor bumps, a condition caused by curly hairs growing back into the skin. It disproportionately affects Black men and is associated with frequent shaving." - https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-09-16/pentagon-limi...

"About 60% of Black men are affected by the condition, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology" - https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2025/09/15/...

Requiring employees to be clean-shaven is also on the EEOC guidelines at https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/section-15-race-and-color... . It requires a job-related reason consistent with business necessity. (Yes, the military is different than civilian employment. My point is it's a very well know issue.)

reify

6 hours ago

I suppose this includes a full body hair removal for the male ranks.

Ideally, a full sack, back and crack, body grooming training, including, while out on maneuvers, with an epilator, to teach the male soldiers about real pain.

it will ceratinly sort the men from the boys.

If you cant take a civilian epilator, what chance a bullet on the battle field.

I'm not a soldier, though my mum used to call me her little soldier when I was a about 5 years old.

she told me, it doesn't matter if I have a beard or clean shaven. What counts is you can still pull the trigger when under fire.

I am thinking, does this full body hair removal also apply to the female ranks?

It would look slightly out of place on military parade, with female soldiers donning shaved heads and the men donning lovingly brushed pony tails.