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On September 17, newly appointed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military personnel requiring a shaving exemption for over a year due to pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) will be discharged. This policy disregards decades of established guidelines aimed primarily at supporting Black and brown troops suffering from this painful skin condition, characterized by razor bumps that can lead to infection and scarring.
Historically, the military allowed “no-shave chits” for PFB, especially during the Vietnam War when Black recruits faced increased scrutiny regarding grooming standards. Hegseth’s directive requires service members to undergo a medical treatment plan to resolve their PFB; those unable to do so after a year will be expelled. However, many medical sources agree the only effective treatment for PFB is to avoid shaving altogether.
Hegseth’s decision is expected to result in significant terminations, disproportionately affecting Black service members. Critics argue this policy reflects broader attempts by the Trump administration to reduce diversity within federal ranks, as seen in previous layoffs impacting primarily Black women.
With over 200,000 Black active-duty members, this shift threatens to undermine a vital pathway of social mobility for the Black community in America, further entrenching systemic racial disparities and challenges in military representation. The directive appears to be a calculated move against progress made towards diversity, calling into question its alignment with military values of inclusion and support for all service members.
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If Only Pete Hegseth’s Military Shaving Crusade Was Just Stupid
