The new grooming policy of the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has caused widespread concerns in religious minority communities such as Sikh, Muslim and Jewish. In a recent memo announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, military beard exemption has been virtually removed, endangering the service of bearded soldiers on religious grounds. This policy orders to return to the standards before 2010, in which the beard exemption is “usually allowed”.
What is the whole matter?
Addressing more than 800 senior military officers in Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, Hegseeth announced the abolition of “superficial personal manifestations” like beards. He said, “We do not have an army of Nordic idols.” A few hours after his speech, the Pentagon declared a directive to all military branches, in which most beard liberals, including religious liberation, were ordered to be abolished within 60 days. This policy will affect all loose other than the temporary liberation given to the Special Forces soldiers for the purpose of mixing in the local population.
Earlier, in 2017, the army formalized permanent liberation for beard and turban for Sikh troops by directing. Similarly, there were religious liberators to the Muslim, conservative Jews and Nors pagan soldiers. In July 2025, the army updated its facial hair policy but maintained religious liberation. The new policy, however, is reversing these progressive changes. The 1981 Supreme Court's decision is returning to the strict grooming rules against Wainburger against Goldman.
Reaction from the Sikh community
The leading advocate for the rights of Sikhs in the US military expressed “anger and deep concern” on the comments of the Sikh coalition, Hegseth. According to the organization, Sikhs' cache (sliced hair) is an integral part of their identity and this policy indicates the struggle for years. A Sikh soldier wrote on X, “My cache is my identity. This looks like betrayal after fighting for inclusion.”
Sikhs have been serving in the US military since World War I. In 1917, Bhagat Singh Thind was the first known Sikh to be recruited in the US military and to wear turban. Despite the stringent rules since 1981, Rabbi Manakam Stern in 2011, Captain Simratpal Singh in 2016 and the court in 2022 against the Burger's decisions strengthened the rights of Sikhs' beard and turban. The Sikh coalition told that keeping a beard was not a barrier to military service. Because Sikh soldiers have passed a gas mask test.
Writing a letter to Hegseth demanded clarity
This policy is not limited to just learn. The beard is a religious duty for Muslim soldiers, while the pieot and beard for conservative Jews are sacred. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wrote a letter to the Hegseth demanding clarity: “Will the religious freedom of Muslim, Sikh and Jewish soldiers be protected?” Citing the first amendment, the Cair said that long -running Pentagon policies recognize these rights.
Black soldiers may also be affected. Because the medical exemption for pseudo-foliculitis barbe (razor bump) will no longer be permanent. According to The Intercept, this policy promotes exclusion on the basis of caste and religion. Nors Peg soldiers have also said that they are against their beliefs.
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