The Army is preparing to roll out a policy shift that could spell the end of permanent shaving profiles — a move that may disproportionately affect soldiers diagnosed with chronic shaving-related skin conditions, and in particular, Black men who statistically experience these conditions at a higher rate.
According to internal guidance and multiple Army officials cited in a recent Military.com report, soldiers with recurring shaving waivers may soon be subject to administrative separation if their condition persists beyond a 12-month period within a two-year span. The Army is expected to direct those soldiers toward medical treatment options, including laser hair removal — a process that can cost thousands of dollars and may cause skin discoloration or scarring.
Medical Issue, Disciplinary Consequence?
Most shaving profiles are issued for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), a painful condition in which tightly curled hairs grow back into the skin after shaving, causing bumps, irritation, and long-term scarring. Estimates from the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology indicate up to 60% of Black men suffer from PFB. Despite this, the upcoming policy will reportedly prohibit indefinite exemptions and require formal treatment plans instead.
Troops who require continued shaving waivers may be funneled into the MOS Administrative Retention Review (MAR2) process — a wide-reaching evaluation system for soldiers with long-term medical profiles. If found unfit for their MOS or duty assignment under these new standards, soldiers may be reclassified or, in some cases, medically separated from service.
So far, the Army has not released any official message or directive that explicitly bans shaving profiles. However, a broader MAR2 update was published in May 2025, stating that all permanent profiles rated P3 or P4 — not just those related to shaving — will undergo administrative review to assess a soldier’s ability to serve in austere or deployed environments.
“This Isn’t About Tactics”
A senior noncommissioned officer familiar with the policy told Military.com, “There’s no tactical reason; you can look professional with facial hair.” The NCO, who spoke anonymously, claimed the new restrictions may be tied more to image and discipline than deployability.
Traditionally, the main argument against facial hair in the military has been gas mask compatibility. Yet a 2021 Military Medicine study concluded that neatly groomed facial hair does not necessarily compromise mask seals. The study also pointed out that only a small percentage of service members operate in chemical environments where such protection would be required.
Interestingly, some units — especially those in Alaska and other cold-weather stations — already exercise discretion in enforcing shaving rules due to risks like frostbite during extreme winter conditions.
MAR2: Back to Basics?
The MAR2 system itself is not new, but this renewed focus reflects a wider effort to tighten grooming and medical standards across the force. The review process begins when a soldier is issued a permanent medical profile with a “3” or “4” rating in any of the PULHES categories — the Army’s standard for measuring physical and medical readiness.
From there, unit career counselors compile a MAR2 packet which is submitted to Human Resources Command (HRC). After an administrative review, the soldier may be:
- Retained in their current MOS,
- Reclassified into a new role, or
- Referred to a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) for potential separation.
The Army’s decision to crack down on permanent shaving profiles — even indirectly — has sparked renewed concerns about equitable treatment within the ranks, especially in light of historical racial disparities tied to grooming standards.
Recruiting Risks?
This policy shift arrives at a delicate time for the Army. After years of missing its recruitment targets, the service only recently began to reverse the trend. Historically, Black Americans make up around 25% of new Army recruits, despite comprising only 14% of the U.S. population.
Critics of the new policy fear it may alienate prospective recruits, particularly from communities already burdened with higher rates of shaving-related skin conditions.
Adding to the controversy is the role of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has openly criticized what he sees as declining discipline in the military. In March, he cited grooming policies such as shaving waivers and dreadlocks as examples of “relaxed standards” and ordered a review of all grooming and appearance policies across the services.
Still, many argue that blanket policies aimed at “raising the standard” may risk overcorrecting and eliminating good soldiers whose only disqualifying issue is a chronic — but manageable — medical condition.
No Official Ban (Yet)
As of this writing, no official Army policy has been published that specifically bans shaving profiles. The current MAR2 guidance applies to all permanent medical profiles, and any soldier with questions is encouraged to speak directly with their unit Career Counselor.
For now, soldiers with shaving-related profiles remain in a state of uncertainty as Army leadership prepares to implement new standards that may significantly impact career longevity for thousands across the force.
© 2025 TheSaltySoldier.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or redistribution of this article is strictly prohibited without written consent.
