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The US Department of Defense has announced a review of existing personnel standards across all US military branches.
The review was announced under a 'Rapid Force-Wide Review of Military Standards' directive from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on March 12.
The review is expected to analyse existing personnel standards relating to physical fitness, body composition and grooming including beards. The review period will assess all standards and changes since January 2015.
"High standards are what made the United States military the greatest fighting force on the
planet. The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose. We are made stronger and more disciplined with high, uncompromising, and clear standards," according to US Secretary of Defense Hegseth.
"I am directing the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to gather the existing standards set by the Military Departments pertaining to physical fitness, body composition, and grooming, which includes but is not limited to beards.
"The review will also provide insight on why those standards changed and the impact of those
changes.
"We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world' s most lethal and effective fighting force. Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging. This review will illuminate how the Department has maintained the level of standards required over the recent past and the trajectory of any change in those standards."
The US military has traditionally not permitted exceptional grooming standards, such as beards, unless with commanding officer approval. However, research has been undertaken regarding the impact of beards with gas masks and other equipment.
