Military Beards Under Fire Again | Texas News

Texas News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 10, 2026 · 1m

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is cracking down again on military beards, sparking controversy after he reportedly saw sailors with facial hair during a Navy ship visit. A new memo tightens rules for medical exemptions, threatening discharge for active and reserve personnel who can’t achieve a clean-shaven look—even after a full year of treatment for conditions like razor bumps. While religious waivers still allow beards (limited to a quarter-inch), the policy targets permanent medical cases, pushing commanders to evaluate separation if grooming standards aren’t met. Hegseth’s push, citing…