Grooming standards
From CNP: July Sailor-to-Sailor Newsletter
The newest edition of the Sailor-to-Sailor newsletter is here! Your monthly source for essential career updates, leadership messages, and policy changes that directly impact you and your Sailors.
In this edition:
– Resources for Sailor Advancement and perks like SRBs
– The latest facial hair grooming standards
– Various continuous education opportunities, such as the Law Education Program
– Tools for you to stay fit and mission ready, including a free subscription to Noom and more
Access the full newsletter here: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/77363
Leaders: Help spread the word. Print a copy for your shop’s bulletin board, share it during quarters, or forward this email to your teams to ensure every Sailor stays informed.
For more updates, follow MyNavy HR on social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyNAVYHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MYNAVYHR/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/MYNAVYHR
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MyNAVYHR
_________________________________________
Delivered by Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Sailors and Marines to be counseled after 6 months of medical shaving waivers
BLUF – The Navy and Marine Corps have updated their grooming policies to require commanders to formally counsel service members who remain on medical shaving waivers after six continuous months of treatment, explaining the status of their medical accommodation, treatment expectations, and the potential consequences if they are still unable to meet grooming standards after one year. For Navy Medicine, the policy increases the role of military healthcare providers in documenting treatment plans, monitoring progress for conditions such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, and coordinating with command leadership as medical waivers transition through required administrative milestones.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-marines-shaving-counseled
Navy orders commands to submit monthly facial hair waiver accountability reports
BLUF – The Navy has directed commands to submit monthly accountability reports tracking religious accommodation waivers for facial hair, including the number of approved requests and the grooming standards compliance of affected sailors, as part of increased oversight of the exemption program. For Navy Medicine, the reporting requirement may increase administrative responsibilities for healthcare providers involved in documenting and renewing medical and religious facial hair waivers while reinforcing the need for consistent, evidence-based evaluation of waiver requests and compliance with Navy policy.
Here are the accompanying Navy message materials:
Facial Hair Grooming Standards Update
BLUF – NAVADMIN 162/26 announces the policy update for medical shaving waivers which are authorized only for prescribed medical treatment. COs may approve waivers not to exceed 12 consecutive months. Sailors reporting for duty without a current, approved waiver must be clean-shaven.
Below are the official documents, but here are Task & Purpose and Navy Times articles about them.
Facial Hair Grooming Standards Updates
BLUF – NAVADMIN 140/26 announces the policy and procedures for the resubmission and reevaluation of all religious accommodation requests for facial hair in accordance with the “Grooming Standards for Facial Hair Implementation” memo issued by SECWAR August 20, 2025.
From CNP: June Sailor-to-Sailor Newsletter
The newest edition of the Sailor-to-Sailor newsletter is here! Your monthly source for essential career updates, leadership messages, and policy changes that directly impact you and your Sailors.
In this edition:
– Announcement of the 2025 Fleet Award Winners
– Updated Guidance on Grooming Standards and Religious Liberty
– Expansion of the Navy COOL Program
– The 2026 Permanent Change of Station Guide
Access the full newsletter here: https://d34w7g4gy10iej.cloudfront.net/pubs/pdf_77202.pdf
Leaders: Help spread the word. Print a copy for your shop’s bulletin board, share it during quarters, or forward this email to your teams to ensure every Sailor stays informed.
For more updates, follow MyNavy HR on social media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyNAVYHR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MYNAVYHR/
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/MYNAVYHR
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MyNAVYHR
_________________________________________
Delivered by Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Navy Memo Gives Sailors New Guidance on Religious Facial Hair Exemptions
https://www.military.com/navy-memo-gives-sailors-new-guidance-religious-facial-hair-exemptions
BLUF – The article reports that the Navy has issued new guidance requiring all sailors with approved or pending religious accommodations for facial hair to resubmit their requests for reevaluation, with applicants now required to provide evidence of sincerely held religious beliefs and undergo review by both their chain of command and a chaplain. For military healthcare leaders, the policy is significant because Navy Medical personnel are specifically identified as stakeholders in implementation, and the reevaluation process may affect force health protection programs, respirator fit-testing, operational readiness assessments, and management of both religious and medical facial hair exemptions across clinical and operational settings.
Update on religious waivers for beards
Here’s a Task & Purpose article:
Here’s a Military Times article: