ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Lawmakers urge pause on military grooming policy citing faith concerns
The letter condemns the US Department of War's new grooming policy that ended religious exceptions to the no-beard rule.
-
Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Wed, 12, Nov 2025
- 01:03 EST
- 16
CAPAC urged Hegseth to pause the order / Wikimedia commons
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) sent a letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth regarding the new grooming policies that restrict beards, urging him to protect the religious freedom of service members.
The letter, signed by 50 members of Congress, including Indian-origin lawmakers Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar, has been endorsed by the Sikh Coalition and demands a pause on the 60-day implementation guidelines for Hegseth's new grooming policy. It also requests clarity on how religious accommodations for facial hair for troops with sincerely held religious beliefs will be maintained and respected.
On November 10, 50 congressional members signed a letter that @CAPAC sent to Secetary Pete Hegseth asking for clarification around religious accommodations for facial hair in the U.S. military.
— Sikh Coalition (@sikh_coalition) November 11, 2025
Learn More Here: https://t.co/xPQZ94z4dW pic.twitter.com/M6pXTBHvtE
Hegseth, while addressing military commanders at Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, made multiple remarks about serving personnel with beards. He said, “No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression.” He also said, “No more beardo-s.”
The United States Army’s “facial hair grooming standards” policy previously allowed for religious accommodations to its grooming standards, allowing serving Sikhs to grow beards and thereby comply with their religious requirements while serving. However, Hegseth, in his comments, and the Department of War, in its memo, contradicted this policy and announced a near-zero-tolerance approach.
“Our nation’s servicemembers have proven time and time again that they can honor their religious beliefs while serving with distinction. These brave men and women put their lives on the line to protect our country and the rights enshrined in the Constitution. It is nothing short of a moral failing to restrict their First Amendment rights while asking them to protect ours,” said Rep. Grace Meng, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
The letter also pointed out the significance of maintaining beards in some religions and even remarked that, to them, shaving is akin to cutting off a limb.
The lawmakers highlighted previous court orders on the issue. They said, “In 2022, a federal court had ruled in favor of Sikh recruits, allowing them to train with their beards and turbans. In 2011, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi settled a lawsuit against the U.S. Army that allowed him to keep his beard and serve as a military chaplain.”
Further highlighting the legal standing of their demand, the letter read, “It is important to recognize that religious accommodations are not a matter of superficial expression. Religious freedom is a fundamental value of our great nation and a constitutional right enshrined in the First Amendment.”
It added, “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) specifically protects it for employees in the public and private sectors so that no one is forced to choose between their careers and their sincerely held beliefs.”
The letter comes nearly a month after CAPAC had issued a joint statement with the Congressional Jewish Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus condemning Hegseth’s comments regarding grooming and uniform standards within the U.S. military.
ALSO READ: CAPAC lambasts Hegseth's 'beardos' comment, demands clarification
Hegseth’s policy revision is facing intense condemnation from community organizations and political circles. With criticism from Sikh, Black, and Jewish organizations and lawmakers pouring in, the Department of War has shown no signs of reconsidering the move. Additionally, Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance, have expressed support for the new grooming policy.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login