A bearded soldier pictured December 21, 2011. © REUTERS/Thomas Peter
(South Korea) – An upcoming event featuring Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will be neatly groomed. At least, the troops in attendance will be — no beards allowed!
In keeping with Hegseth’s heightened requirements concerning the US military’s presentation, all service members who have facial hair will be barred from Hegseth’s upcoming event in South Korea. It was last month when the Pentagon announced new grooming standards. So, per reports quoting an email, shaving will be required prior to this event.
The email was reportedly sent to the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base in South Korea. It advised troops that “members with shaving waivers are not authorized to attend” the troop engagement with the Defense secretary in South Korea, to be held this week.
The Pentagon’s new standards require service members “to be clean shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance.”
The email asked various groups to select representatives to attend the engagement. An Air Force official confirmed the authenticity of the email to Task and Purpose — a news outlet focused on military reporting.
