Whether beards are compatible with a life of service has long been a question for militaries across the world. Now, it seems the answer is settled in the US: facial hair is not acceptable in a Trump-era army.

The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has ordered the US military to adopt new grooming standards which ban beards and other types of facial hair.

A memorandum of understanding released by the Pentagon states: "The grooming standard set by the US military is to be clean-shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance."

The policy change follows a rapid, force-wide review of military standards as part of Mr Hegseth's plan to embed a "warrior ethos" within the US military.

The memorandum goes on to state that personnel can apply for a shaving waiver from a medical officer, but this will only apply for a limited period.

"Unit commanders will initiate separation of service members who require a shaving waiver after more than one year of medical treatment," it says.

>https://www.forcesnews.com/usa/hair-raising-new-rules-could-see-personnel-kicked-out-us-military-having-beards