1. References.
a.
Army Regulation (AR) 40–502 (Medical Readiness)
b.
AR 600–20 (Army Command Policy)
c.
AR 670–1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia)
2. Applicability.
This directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve.
3. Purpose.
This directive establishes new policy for facial hair grooming standards.
This directive also prohibits permanent shaving profiles and provides the means for command teams to document and verify a Soldier’s basis for a beard.
The intent of this directive is to provide refined grooming standards for medical providers and commanders to implement, in support of Army readiness.
4. Policy.
a.
All male Soldiers will maintain a clean-shaven face when in uniform or on duty in civilian attire in accordance with reference 1c.
Mustaches are authorized.
(1)
Soldiers must comply with the grooming standards unless granted a written exception to policy (ETP) for a medical condition or for an approved religious accommodation.
(2)
Soldiers must retain and readily produce a signed copy of their approved ETP or approved religious accommodation decision memorandum when in uniform or on duty in civilian attire upon request.
Any Soldier can address a situation that warrants an on-the-spot correction to uniform standards.
This guidance aligns with those responsibilities to maintain discipline and uniformity.
(3)
The O-5 commander will ensure decision memoranda for approved religious accommodations are recorded in the appropriate Army personnel system, such as the Army Military Human Resources Record (AMHRR) or Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army (IPPS-A).
b. Soldiers with a medical condition.
(1)
There are medical conditions that may require a temporary deviation to Army grooming standards.
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB, aka. razor bumps) is the most common, but other conditions exists where a pause in shaving may be necessary for the treatment of the condition.
(2)
Soldiers who have a physical profile (Department of the Army Form 3349-SG) for shaving limitations will be directed by their first O-5 commander for re-evaluation by a medical provider no later than 90 days from publication of this directive.
The re-evaluation will assess the Soldier’s current treatment and determine if continuation of the profile is required.
If the medical provider determines that re-issuance of the shaving profile is necessary, the Soldier’s profile will detail the medical treatment plan and expected time of recovery.
(3)
The first O-5 commander in the Soldier’s chain of command will review the recommended profile.
The medical provider will recommend a medical treatment plan to assist the Soldier in returning to compliance with the facial hair grooming standard, consistent with paragraph 3(a)-3(d).
Commanders and medical providers can collaborate to determine the best means to facilitate the treatment plan, approved by commander.
(a) Phase I – Control of Mild Cases.
Soldiers may avoid shaving for up to four weeks until facial lesions have subsided while undergoing medical treatment.
This phase will not exceed 30 days.
(b) Phase II – Control of Moderate to Severe Cases and Those Unresponsive to Phase I.
Soldiers may avoid shaving for up to eight weeks if initially starting Phase II or up to an additional four weeks if continuing from Phase I according to treatment plan.
This phase will not exceed 60 days.
(c) Phase III – Control of Severe Cases Unresponsive to Phase II.
Soldiers may continue Phase II protocols for up to four additional weeks.
The medical provider may then recommend continued treatment based on the Soldier’s response and, if necessary, a further period of modified grooming standards.
This phase will not exceed 90 days (90 days includes Phase II and Phase III).
(d) Phase IV (optional) – Control of Cases Unresponsive to Phase III or Recurring Frequently.
Soldiers may be referred for specialty care and more targeted treatment such as laser treatment.
These treatments are elective and should the Soldier elect to have laser treatment, it may be government-funded.
(4)
At the end of the phase identified in the treatment plan, the Soldier will adhere to the grooming standards or will be re-evaluated.
(5)
Once the medical treatment plan is approved, the first O-5 commander will issue the Soldier an approved ETP for facial hair grooming standards (see enclosed ETP template).
The grooming ETP is valid only for the duration of the shaving profile.
(6)
Commanders and the NCO support chain will actively monitor treatment plans to assist Soldiers in returning to compliance with the facial hair grooming standards.
(7)
An accumulation of ETPs to the facial hair grooming standards totaling over 12 months in a 24-month period may result in an administrative separation.
c. Religious Accommodation.
(1)
Religious accommodations will continue to be processed in accordance with reference 1b.
(2)
Soldiers currently approved for a religious accommodation will have their accommodation reviewed and verified in their AMHRR by the first O-5 commander in their chain of command no later than 90 days from the publication of this directive.
5. Responsibilities.
a.
U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) will ensure the force is trained on the provisions of this policy, including shaving education to train Soldiers in proper shaving techniques.
TRADOC will implement this instructional guidance at reception and Initial Entry Training.
b.
Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG) will coordinate with the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to facilitate training for medical providers to ensure understanding and implementation of the new policy.
OTSG will provide additional shaving techniques and profiling instructions, including severity of condition, intent of shaving profile, and treatment.
c.
The Inspector General will coordinate with and assist in educating the force on this directive.
d.
All Army units will conduct uniform and grooming standards reviews no later than 90 days from the date of this directive to assist Soldiers with complying with this directive.
6. Proponent.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) is the proponent for this policy.
Within 90 days of this directive, the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will incorporate the provisions of this directive into references 1b and 1c, and OTSG will incorporate the provisions of this directive into reference 1a.
7. Duration.
This directive is rescinded upon publication of the updated references.
DISTRIBUTION:
- Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Commander
- U.S. Army Forces Command
- U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
- U.S. Army Materiel Command
- U.S. Army Futures Command
- U.S. Army Pacific
- U.S. Army Europe and Africa
- U.S. Army Central
- U.S. Army North
- U.S. Army South
- U.S. Army Special Operations Command
- U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
- U.S. Army Cyber Command
- U.S. Army Medical Command
- U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Military District of Washington
- U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
- U.S. Army Human Resources Command
- U.S. Army Corrections Command
- U.S. Army Recruiting Command
- Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
- Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
- Commandant, U.S. Army War College
- Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency
DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
- Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency
- Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
- Director, Civilian Protection Center of Excellence
- Director, U.S. Army Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
- Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
- Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
CF:
- Principal Cyber Advisor
- Director of Enterprise Management
- Director, Office of Analytics Integration
- Commander, Eighth Army
Exception to Policy for Facial Hair Grooming Standards Template
(Office Symbol) (Date)
MEMORANDUM FOR
[Service Members Name, Unit, DoD ID #]
SUBJECT: Exception to Policy for Facial Hair Grooming Standards
1.
I have approved the medical treatment plan recommended by your medical provider and authorize a temporary modification to the facial hair grooming standards in accordance with (IAW) Army Directive 2025-13 and Army Regulation 670-1.
2.
You are required to carry this signed ETP at all times when in uniform or on duty in civilian attire.
Additionally, you are required to retain and readily produce a copy of your shaving profile to any superior commissioned officer or superior ranking noncommissioned officer, upon request.
3.
This exception is only authorized for the duration of your profile [insert expiration date from DA Form 3349-SG].
An accumulation of facial hair grooming standard ETPs exceeding 12 months in a 24-month period may result in an administrative separation.
IAW AD 2025-13.
4.
The point of contact for this action is XXXX, (XXX) XXX-XXXX, [email protected].
[NAME (ALL CAPS)]
RANK, BRANCH
COMMANDING