Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced strict new grooming rules for the U.S. military this week. The changes have led to a lot of anger from service members who say the policy will unfairly hurt people of color and those with religious beliefs. The changes were announced during a speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on September 30, 2025.
The new rules say all troops must be clean-shaven except for special operations forces. The policy ends permanent medical shaving waivers and limits religious exemptions that previously let some service members wear beards.
