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U.S. military raises scrutiny on faith-based grooming waivers
Apart from increased documentation, the new rules seek standardization of how requests for religious accommodations are filed, reviewed and approved.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Fri, 20, Mar 2026
- 04:18 EDT
- 23
Simratpal SIngh / U.S. Army
The Department of Defence, on March 11, issued a memorandum tightening scrutiny around religious exemptions for all service members.
The new order called for a stricter re-evaluation of existing accommodations and stricter documentations surrounding the accommodations. The memo, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, called for applicants to file detailed documentations vouching for the sincerity of their beliefs and how grooming requirements conflict with their religious practices.
Additionally, it also seeks standardization of how requests for religious accommodations are filed, reviews and approved, across all services.
Previously, Hegseth had ordered an end to permanent medical shaving exemptions and also lashed out against religious waivers that have allowed religious grooming exceptions in recent years.
ALSO READ: Lawmakers urge pause on military grooming policy citing faith concerns
Hegseth, while addressing military commanders at Quantico, Virginia, on Sept. 30, 2025, 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 Sikh Coalition described the new order as "completely unnecessary" and argued that the new measure will force "every single soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine with an accommodation through more paperwork and bureaucracy."
It also noted that each service member who holds an accomodation obtained it through policies and processes established under both the Obama and first Trump Administrations.
Raising concerns about the deployability argument used against Sikh personnel, the organization said, "we do not yet know how individual unit commanders and other authorities will consider the requester’s occupation; the memo makes note of expected use of “protective equipment,” “scheduled deployments,” and other points in considering accommodations."
They also questioned Secretary Hegseth's prior orders about recruits who are not yet in the Armed Services having to meet all standards before they could request an accommodation.
The Sikh Coalition, in its latest statement, hailed the new memo for undoing that requirement and said, "This was in violation of previous court decisions as far back as 2015, but critically, this latest memo undoes that requirement."
It added, "No Sikh looking to apply for military service should feel pressured or required to give up their kesh or other articles of faith before submitting an accommodation request."
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