Pentagon Tightens Military Grooming Standards in New Clean-Shaven Mandate

Lead: The Pentagon announced updated grooming regulations today in Washington, requiring service members to maintain a clean-shaven, neat appearance and face separation if medical shaving waivers persist beyond one year.

Nut Graf: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive aims to eliminate ambiguity in facial hair policies, reinforce uniformity across the armed forces and uphold military discipline by standardizing grooming practices.

New Shaving and Facial Hair Rules

  • Clean-Shaven Requirement: All service members must be clean shaven, with only medical waivers granting temporary exemptions.
  • Waiver Timeline: Troops with medical shaving waivers must follow a treatment plan; commanders will initiate separation procedures if waivers extend past 12 months.
  • Waiver Approval Process: Medical officers submit written recommendations; final waiver authority rests with unit commanders.

Army Appearance Directive Updates

  • Directive 2025-18 Issued: The Army’s updated appearance and grooming directive clarifies hair, makeup and uniform standards for both genders.
  • Hair Length Limits: Men’s hair bulk capped at 2 inches on top and 1 inch on sides; no braids, twists, locs or designs. Women’s hair-ponytails, braids or buns-may not exceed 6 inches from the collar; braids limited to 2 inches in width.
  • Cosmetics and Accessories: Men prohibited from cosmetics and nail polish. Women may wear clear nail polish and natural-look makeup only; lipstick, colored polish and eyelash extensions banned without medical exemption.
  • Jewelry Restrictions: Women may wear one plain stud per earlobe, up to 6 mm diameter; earrings prohibited in field and PT uniforms.

Implementation and Enforcement

Commanders and noncommissioned officers will enforce standards through on-the-spot corrections. Service members have 30 days to comply with the new Army appearance directive, which takes effect immediately but becomes enforceable October 15. Continuous noncompliance or extended medical waivers will prompt separation reviews, underscoring the department’s focus on professionalism and readiness.