The Navy will remove sailors from the service if they cannot treat shaving-related medical conditions within one year of receiving treatment, according to a July directive.
The new guidelines now require all sailors with skin irritation to seek medical evaluation. After evaluation, Navy commanders can provide sailors with a 90-day medical shaving waiver, granted up to four consecutive times.
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If the sailor’s condition does not improve within one year, a commander must recommend a sailor for administrative separation for noncompliance with grooming requirements.
The directive said the new standards apply to both active and reserve personnel and said the standards are needed for “maintaining equipment compatibility, operational readiness, and deployable force posture.” However, the directive notes that these new requirements do not apply to grooming standards based on religious accommodations.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a condition that causes painful inflammation after shaving. More commonly known as razor bumps, the condition disproportionately affects up to 60% of black men, Stars and Stripes reported.
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The policy aligns with shaving guidelines announced by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, who ordered a department-wide review of military fitness and grooming standards last year.
Hegseth is reportedly frustrated with the lack of adherence to grooming, fitness, and appearance standards, according to a military official who spoke with CBS News under the condition of anonymity. The official said Hegseth does not think his message is being embraced by senior military leadership despite calls for stricter enforcement.
