Beard Regulations Tightened to Strengthen Military Discipline
Criticism Arises Over Failure to Consider Racial and Medical Factors
The U.S. military is facing controversy over reverse discrimination against Black service members after it began strictly enforcing beard regulations under the pretext of strengthening military discipline.
On July 11 (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that the U.S. Army recently tightened its shaving regulations, allowing for the discharge of soldiers who do not shave for a certain period of time.
The Army explained that this measure was intended to maintain military discipline and enhance mission readiness. However, criticism has arisen that the policy fails to take into account racial and medical characteristics.
In particular, it is known that about 60% of Black men suffer from pseudofolliculitis barbae, a condition in which curly hair grows back into the skin during shaving and causes inflammation. These individuals have been exempted from shaving for medical reasons, and to date, approximately 40,000 active-duty, reserve, and National Guard soldiers in the Army have been granted shaving exceptions for medical or religious reasons.
Dr. Silvan Southern, a dermatologist who has served in the U.S. military for over 20 years, pointed out, "For some Black soldiers, shaving is not just a matter of hygiene but a source of pain that can cause skin disorders," adding, "Due to the nature of curly hair, beards can curl back into the skin, leading to inflammation and scarring."
This measure was implemented under the direction of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Some analysts suggest that it is in line with President Donald Trump's policy of abolishing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. The U.S. Department of Defense has recently rolled back many DEI programs that were aimed at addressing racial and gender discrimination.
While most militaries around the world have restricted beards for reasons such as hygiene, attitudes have recently begun to change. The British Army abolished its beard ban last year to encourage enlistment among younger generations. Previously, only neatly trimmed mustaches were allowed, and full beards were permitted only in special situations such as secret missions or operations.
However, even when beards are allowed, strict grooming regulations remain in place. Beard length must be between 2.5 mm and 25.5 mm, and the cheekbones and neck area must always be kept cleanly trimmed. Uneven beard length or exaggerated beard colors are also not permitted.
In addition, countries such as Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Canada also allow soldiers to grow beards, which stands in contrast to the current direction of the U.S. military.
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