{"id":76006,"date":"2025-10-06T16:31:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T23:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=76006"},"modified":"2025-10-06T16:31:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T23:31:30","slug":"defense-secretary-hegseths-no-beardos-mandate-weakens-us-military-strength","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=76006","title":{"rendered":"Defense Secretary Hegseth\u2019s \u2018No Beardos\u2019 Mandate Weakens US Military Strength"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
By<\/span>Sunita Sohrabji<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/i>
\n
\n

The new Defense Department grooming policies, which ban beards, will adversely impact Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, and Black soldiers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\"Kamal
Lt. Colonel Dr. Kamal Kalsi, who received the Bronze Star for his service as an emergency physician in Helmand, Afghanistan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

Beards, turbans, yarmulke, and hijabs may no longer be acceptable in the US Military, according to a new policy memo, which rolls back several decades of religious and medical accommodations.<\/p>\n

Facial hair waivers will generally not be given, noted the Defense Department in its Sept. 30 memo. Those who do receive them will serve in non-deployable roles, it clarified.<\/p>\n

\u201cUniform grooming standards are not about appearance: they are about survivability, interoperability, and mission execution. Consistent enforcement ensures personnel can operate protective equipment, meet deployment requirements, and support combat and emergency operations,\u201d noted the Defense Department.<\/p>\n

Sikhs<\/h2>\n

That policy impacts hundreds of Sikh American servicemen who have fought since 2008 to serve in the US military with their articles of faith. This includes uncut hair which must at all times be covered by a turban.<\/p>\n

The policy memo was unclear as to whether head coverings \u2014 which are also currently allowed via religious accommodation \u2014 would be banned. But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stated he wants a more \u201cprofessionally groomed\u201d military force, suggesting head coverings would also no longer be acceptable.<\/p>\n

At press time Oct. 4, the Defense Department had not responded to an ACoM request for clarification on whether the policy would be applied retroactively and if it would also ban turbans.<\/p>\n

Short-Sighted Policy<\/h2>\n

Lt. Colonel Dr. Kamal Kalsi, who has spent 2 1\/12 decades in the US Army with his turban and beard intact, says the new policy is shortsighted. Kalsi was awarded a Bronze Star for his work as an emergency physician on the front lines in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, one of the deadliest regions in the country. In an Oct. 4 interview with American Community Media, Kalsi noted that his turban and beard have never impacted his ability to serve the US.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Lt. Colonel Kamal Kalsi, in a makeshift ER in Helmand province, Afghanistan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe have at least a few hundred Sikhs across multiple branches of the military, men and women. But we have tens of thousands of Jewish and Muslim soldiers that also rely on these religious accommodations,\u201d said Kalsi.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than that, though, it\u2019s our African-American brothers that will really be affected by this beard ban,\u201d said Kalsi. Many Black men have a skin condition known as Pseudophiliculitis barbae, which causes an itchy skin irritation and pus-filled bumps. Over 60% of military medical accommodations are currently given to Black men with Pseudophiliculitis barbae.<\/p>\n

Manpower Shortage<\/h2>\n
\n
\n