Pentagon unveils new 'clean shaven' grooming standards

The Pentagon on Monday unveiled new grooming standards, which now require service members “to be clean shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance.”

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement Monday that following “a rapid force-wide review of military standards” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “recently directed the Services to implement the following grooming standards for facial hair.” 

"The grooming standard set by the U.S. military is to be clean shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance," Hegseth said in a quote in Parnell’s statement.

Earlier this month, President Trump signed an order to change the name of the Department of Defense into the "Department of War," framing the change-up as a sign of American strength. He also suggested that prior lengthy wars under the old moniker were caused by political correctness.

The president signed an executive order that allowed the department’s name change and for Hegseth’s title to change to secretary of War. A permanent name change will require an act of Congress.

“Commanders must apply consistent criteria and appropriately consider the Department's interests in safety and uniformity when authorizing individual exceptions,” Parnell said in his Monday statement

“Military medical officers will provide a written recommendation concerning a shaving waiver to the commander who is the final approval authority. Service members with an approved shaving waiver will participate in a medical treatment plan,” he added.