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Sikh Coalition condemns US Army's new grooming policy
The updated guidelines were issued by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, on July 7.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Sat, 12, Jul 2025
- 00:01 EDT
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Representative image / Pexels
The Sikh Coalition has reacted sharply to the United States Army's updated 'facial hair grooming standards' policy.
In a statement issued on July 10, the Sikh rights group has claimed that the policy shift was unwarranted as a beard does not create a deficit in the soldier's ability to serve, especially when kept due to medical or religious reasons.
The updated policy issued by the US Army on July 7 bars permanent shaving waivers beyond religious accommodations and requires medical personnel to craft formal treatment plans for troops that have medical accommodations.
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The policy states that, for exceptions granted on medical grounds, "An accumulation of ETPs (exception to policy) to the facial hair grooming standards totaling over 12 months in a 24-month period may result in an administrative separation." This would result in soldiers with significant medical conditions like severe razor-bumps being expelled from the armed forces.
Highlighting the idea that beards do not interfere with a soldier's work, the Sikh Coalition said in a statement, “Over the course of our more than 15 years of work to assist Sikhs with religious accommodations and fight for policy changes within all branches of the military, it has been demonstrated time and time again that maintaining a beard poses no barrier to capable and honorable military service.”
A new Facial Hair Grooming Policy in the U.S. Army leaves religious accommodations intact, but poses additional concerns. Learn more about what Sikh servicemembers should do and read our perspective --> https://t.co/2gY4nnQjRa
— Sikh Coalition (@sikh_coalition) July 10, 2025
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer explained the need for the policy shift, in a statement, and said, "This update reinforces our culture that fosters discipline – and discipline equals readiness."
As of now, the policy allows individuals to continue maintaining beards when so demanded by religious considerations, however it states that the religious exemption given to soldiers currently enjoying it would be reviewed within 90 days.
The body also extended support to the Black and South Asian men who would be disproportionately affected by the policy change and said, "While religious accommodations remain exempt from this new guidance for now, the Sikh Coalition stands in solidarity with soldiers who may ultimately be kicked out of the Army by this new shaving policy, which will disproportionately affect Black and South Asian men—especially those with medical conditions like pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor-bumps).”
The advocacy body also added, “We remain committed to working alongside other marginalized groups as we continue to fight for full equality of opportunity for all qualified individuals across the Department of Defense.”
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