Hegseth won’t meet troops with beards during South Korea trip; Task & Purpose, October 27, 2025

JEFF SCHOGOL, Task & Purpose; Hegseth won’t meet troops with beards during South Korea trip

[Kip Currier: The absurdity of the news that "Hegseth won't meet troops with beards during South Korea trip" compels me to comment on this disconcerting decision:

Stop for a moment and think about how ridiculous, arrogant, and narrow-minded it is that the head of the Department of Defense-cum-War would refuse to meet with members of our military -- selflessly serving overseas to protect their country -- who have "shaving waivers". Shaving waivers are issued for a number of well-founded reasons, including religious faith traditions and medical conditions in which shaving can cause serious skin irritation.

Refusing to meet with U.S. military members who have facial hair is appallingly short-sighted, uninformed, and disrespectful. 

Thank you to all of our military members -- those with and those without facial hair -- who serve.]

[Excerpt]

"When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits South Korea this week, he will face off against one of the most dangerous enemies to military readiness: Facial hair.

Service members with shaving waivers are not allowed to attend the event with Hegseth, which will be held at Camp Humphreys, according to an email from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea, which was posted on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco page...

Since taking charge at the Pentagon in January, Hegseth has made it clear that he feels the U.S. military has strayed from its grooming standards by issuing too many shaving waivers over the years.

“Today at my direction, the era of unprofessional appearance is over,” Hegseth told hundreds of generals and admirals during a Sept. 30 speech at Quantico, Virginia. “No more beardos. The age of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done.”

Hegseth’s comments came after he issued an Aug. 20 memo directing unit commanders to begin separating troops who still need shaving waivers after more than a year of medical treatment."