In a surprising twist to the ongoing debate over military grooming standards, US troops stationed in South Korea have been prohibited from attending an event with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth if they sport beards, even if they have exemptions. This decision marks the latest chapter in Hegseth’s contentious campaign against facial hair within the armed forces.

The restriction follows Hegseth’s impassioned declaration on September 30 in Quantico, Virginia, where he addressed a crowd of military leaders. “Today, at my direction, the era of unprofessional appearance is over,” he proclaimed, signaling the end of both religious and medical exemptions previously allowing troops to maintain facial hair. “The age of rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles is done,” he added, emphasizing a renewed commitment to uniform grooming standards.

As a result, any personnel not adhering to the Pentagon’s updated grooming regulations and still sporting a beard will be denied entry to Hegseth’s upcoming event at Camp Humphreys in Osan, scheduled for Wednesday.

This mandate significantly impacts those who suffer from pseudofolliculitis barbae, a condition that causes painful razor bumps and had warranted medical waivers in the past. It also affects individuals who were previously granted exemptions on religious grounds.

An official statement from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base clarified the situation, stating that service members “with shaver waivers are NOT authorized to attend” the Secretary’s event at the largest US military installation globally. This move underscores the strict enforcement of Hegseth’s new policy, leaving many to question the balance between uniformity and individual rights within the military ranks.

An email from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base confirmed that service members ‘with shaver waivers are NOT authorized to attend’ Hegseth’s function at the largest US military base in the world.

Hegseth, who joins President Donald Trump for his weeklong trek through Asia, also plans to meet with his South Korean counterpart at the country’s demilitarized zone (DMZ) with North Korea.

Osan Airbase sent an email justifying the exclusion of bearded troops from the event with Hegseth, stating ‘this is not an open event’ and that leadership has the ability to ‘decide the composition of the formation to present the most standardized, uniform, and professional force.’

Military members with shaving waivers who are still sporting facial hair will not be permitted to attend an event with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at Camp Humphreys in Osan, South Korea this week

Hegseth delivered remarks to troops on board the USS George Washington just south of Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, October 28, 2025

The unofficial Air Force Facebook account, which posts news, pictures, emails and submissions from service members, called the message ‘damage control bulls***.’

Hegseth believes that the US military has strayed from its standards in recent years – specifically when it comes to physical fitness and unformed physical appearance and grooming standards.

He believes that too many shaving waivers have been issued lately, causing the number of troops with permissible facial hair to increase, and he sent a memo on September 30 saying the Department of War would go back to pre-2010 standards on religious waivers.

At his Quantico speech, the War Secretary said he was skeptical of many religious waivers.

‘We don’t have a military full of Nordic Pagans,’ insisted Hegseth, who has repeatedly emphasized his Christian faith.

He added: ‘But unfortunately, we have had leaders who either refused to call B.S. and enforce standards, or leaders who felt that they were not allowed to enforce standards. Both are unacceptable.’

Shaving waivers date back to the 1970s, when the Army led the way of religious exemptions by giving a Sikh soldier the ability to maintain a beard. 

Around this time, the military also implemented the waiver for medical reasons, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, which are razor bumps, and are much more common in black service members.

In September, Hegseth delivered a speech where he said there will be ‘no more beardos’ in his ranks as he cracks down on grooming standards in the military

Osan Airbase sent an email justifying the exclusion of bearded troops from the event with Hegseth, stating ‘this is not an open event’ and that leadership has the ability to ‘decide the composition of the formation to present’

But Hegseth’s new policy limits these exemptions for service members who have 12 months or less before potential separation, and his August 20, 2025 memo directs unit commanders to begin separation for troops who still require a shaving waiver after more than a year of medical treatment for any complications. 

Hegseth’s trip through Asia underscores the US military’s focus in the Indo-Pacific region. Stops include Malaya, Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.

He attended Trump’s remarks on the USS George Washington in the Tokyo region on Tuesday.

His August memo emphasized how US military grooming standards require troops to be ‘clean-shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance.’