The airman who went viral as the so-called “pushing regs final boss” says his Air Force career is coming to an end.
TJ Williams, who became an online lightning rod for his five-year shaving waiver and the beard that came with it, announced on TikTok (@TJurwavy) that he’s in the process of separating from the service.
According to Williams, he believes he’ll be better off financially outside of uniform. He explained that with the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s housing allowance—about $3,800 per month for the school he plans to attend—combined with a potential 100% VA disability rating (roughly $4,000 monthly), he could earn close to $10,000 a month just by going to college.
What Williams hasn’t clarified is whether he’s leaving at the end of his enlistment contract or under other circumstances.
The Beard Debate
Williams’ beard has been at the center of one of the Air Force’s longest-running culture clashes: shaving waivers.
Beards are generally banned in the military, but exemptions exist for medical and religious reasons. The most common medical waiver is for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), also called razor bumps. PFB primarily affects men with tightly curled hair, as regrown hairs can curve into the skin, leading to inflammation, scars, and painful bumps.
@tjurwavy I’m in regs tho don’t get it twisted 😭#militarylife #miltok #military #militaryhumor #funny #beards #trending #fyp ♬ Hahahaha again – ليا
Critics online, including the Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page, have questioned whether Williams truly fits that profile. While Williams has said he has African lineage, his beard doesn’t resemble the tightly curled facial hair commonly associated with PFB.
The debate turned him into a meme, with the Air Force amn/nco/snco page dubbing him the “pushing regs final boss” and even creating an AI parody video of him—complete with exaggerated red beard and slang—accusing others of racism for questioning his waiver.
@tjurwavy It was a good run yall ,bye beard 😔 #militarylife #miltok #military #militaryhumor #beards #trending #funny ♬ Ocarina Of Time Theme (From "The Legend Of Zelda") – Gaming World
Williams clapped back by posting what he claimed was his official five-year Air Force shaving waiver.
At the end of July, he appeared to throw in the towel, posting: “It was a good run y’all, bye beard.” But despite that statement, his more recent videos still show him sporting facial hair.
Planning for Life After the Air Force
Williams has been vocal about how he plans to pivot once he hangs up the uniform, and like most things with him, he’s put it on full display for social media. In one video, he flipped his camera toward a whiteboard propped up inside his car—his version of a separation plan. Scribbled in thick marker were the words “Influence” and “Stickers.”
From what he’s explained, Williams hopes to transition into social media influencing and turn his artwork into a side hustle by selling stickers. For him, the GI Bill isn’t just a path to education but a financial springboard—he openly broke down the math for his followers, showing how he could make close to $10,000 a month between VA compensation and housing allowance while going to school.
@tjurwavy Disclaimer getting 100% disability it’s not obtainable unless you’re actually disabled, but if you can get any percentage claim it 💯 ##militarylife##militaryhumor##military##miltok##fyp##advice##militarybenefits##school ♬ original sound – Tj
It’s a glimpse into a mindset that’s becoming more common among younger service members: seeing military benefits not just as a safety net but as a launchpad for creative and entrepreneurial goals. While past generations might have focused on steady government jobs or contracting gigs after service, Williams is talking about content creation, merchandising, and building a personal brand.
Whether or not those ambitions will pan out is another story—but if his viral presence over the beard controversy is any sign, Williams already knows how to capture attention.
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