Study guide
2.4 Facial Hair, Medical Exceptions to Policy, and Religious Accommodation
Army Promotion Board SGT/SSG
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1 The Promotion Board Process, Eligibility, and Preparation
1.1 AR 600-8-19 Board Eligibility, TIS/TIG Zones, and PME Requirements 1.2 Board Proceedings, Protocol, Uniform Inspection, and Boardroom Bearing 1.3 Promotion Points, the AFT Conversion, IPPS-A, and Monthly Cutoff Scores 1.4 Board Preparation: Study Plan, Current Events, and World Affairs 1.5 Situational Questions, ICTL Proficiency, and Board Scenario Technique
2 Uniform Standards, Grooming, and Awards (AR 670-1, AD 2025-18, AR 600-8-22)
2.1 ASU and AGSU Configuration, Insignia, Badges, and Awards Placement 2.2 Hair, Cosmetics, Fingernails, and Jewelry Standards (AD 2025-18) 2.3 Wear of Combat Uniforms, Duty Accessories, and Body Modification & Tattoo Policies 2.4 Facial Hair, Medical Exceptions to Policy, and Religious Accommodation 2.5 The Army Awards and Decorations System (AR 600-8-22)
3 Army Leadership & Doctrine (ADP 6-22 & FM 6-22)
3.1 The Army Leadership Requirements Model: Attributes and Competencies 3.2 Leadership Levels, Dynamics, Command Climate, and the Warrior Ethos 3.3 The Counseling Process (ATP 6-22.1 & DA Form 4856) 3.4 The Evaluation Reporting System & NCOER (AR 623-3 & DA Form 2166-9 Series)
4 Customs, Courtesies, and Military Traditions (AR 600-25 & TC 3-21.5)
4.1 Saluting Protocols, Courtesies to Officers, and Hand Salute Standards 4.2 National Flag Etiquette, Colors, Reveille, Retreat, and Honors to the Nation 4.3 Drill and Ceremonies Fundamentals (TC 3-21.5) and Formations 4.4 Rank Structure, Chain of Command, the NCO Support Channel, and Unit Organization
5 Army History, Heritage, and Creeds
5.1 Army Birthday, Continental Army Foundations, and Historical Milestones 5.2 Evolution of the NCO Corps and the Sergeant Major of the Army 5.3 Major American Campaigns and Military Battle History 5.4 The Army Values, The Soldier's Creed, and The NCO Creed
6 Army Programs, Command Policy, and Soldier Readiness
6.1 SHARP Under AR 600-52: Reporting Options, Complaint Processing, and the OSTC 6.2 The Military Equal Opportunity and Harassment Prevention Program (AR 600-20, Chapter 6) 6.3 Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and SUDCC (AR 600-85) 6.4 Soldier and Family Support Programs: AER, Red Cross, ACS, EFMP, and BOSS 6.5 Suicide Prevention, Behavioral Health, and Resilience 6.6 Prohibited Activities: Extremism, Retaliation, Prohibited Relationships, and Political Activity 6.7 Retention, Reenlistment, and the Career Counseling of Subordinates
7 Tactical Combat Casualty Care & First Aid (TC 4-02.1 & ATP 4-02.83)
7.1 TCCC Phases of Care: Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, and TACEVAC 7.2 MARCH PAWS Assessment: Massive Hemorrhage and Airway Management 7.3 Respiration, Circulation, Shock, Burns, and Environmental Injuries 7.4 9-Line MEDEVAC Request Protocol and Tactical Evacuation Procedures
8 CBRN Defense & Force Protection (ATP 3-11.32 & AR 525-13)
8.1 CBRN Hazards, Chemical Agent Classifications, and Physiological Effects 8.2 MOPP Gear Levels, Protective Mask PMCS, and Decontamination 8.3 Antiterrorism, Physical Security, and Force Protection Conditions (AR 525-13)
9 Weapons, Land Navigation, and Physical Readiness
9.1 M4/M16 Rifle Characteristics, Clearing, Malfunctions, and Weapons Safety (TC 3-22.9) 9.2 Map Reading, Grid Coordinates, and Marginal Information (TC 3-25.26) 9.3 Land Navigation: Terrain Features, Azimuths, Intersection, and Resection 9.4 Holistic Health and Fitness, the Army Fitness Test, and the Combat Field Test 9.5 The Army Body Composition Program and the Waist-to-Height Standard (AD 2026-13) 9.6 Crew-Served Weapons, Sidearms, and Munitions
10 Military Justice, the Law of War, and Duty
10.1 The UCMJ, Article 15 Non-Judicial Punishment, and Courts-Martial 10.2 The Code of Conduct, the Law of War, and Rules of Engagement 10.3 Guard Duty, the Three General Orders, and Operations Security
11 Training Management and Unit Sustainment
11.1 Training Management: ICTL, the Digital Job Book, and Sergeant's Time Training 11.2 Maintenance, Supply Discipline, and Property Accountability
2.4 Facial Hair, Medical Exceptions to Policy, and Religious Accommodation
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Army Directive 2025-13 prohibits permanent shaving profiles and replaces them with temporary medical exceptions to policy tied to a documented treatment plan.
Shaving limitations are documented on DA Form 3349-SG, and the first O-5 commander in the chain of command reviews the recommended profile and issues the written exception to policy.
The medical treatment plan runs in phases: Phase I not to exceed 30 days, Phase II not to exceed 60 days, Phase III not to exceed 90 days inclusive of Phase II, and an optional Phase IV for specialty care such as laser treatment.
An accumulation of facial-hair exceptions to policy totaling more than 12 months in a 24-month period may result in administrative separation.
Army Directive 2026-09 routes every uniform, grooming, and appearance religious accommodation through IPPS-A to a single approval authority, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and requires a nonconfidential chaplain interview.
Last updated: September 2026
Facial Hair, Medical Exceptions to Policy, and Religious Accommodation
Board Primer: Facial hair is one of the most heavily revised areas of Army appearance policy. Army Directive 2025-13 (Facial Hair Grooming Standards) abolished permanent shaving profiles, and Army Directive 2026-09 rebuilt the approval process for uniform, grooming, and appearance religious accommodations. A candidate quoting "permanent profile" or "brigade commander approval" is quoting rescinded policy.
1. The Baseline Standard
All male Soldiers will maintain a clean-shaven face when in uniform or on duty in civilian attire. Mustaches are authorized within the AR 670-1 limits. Sideburns must be trimmed above the opening of the ear canal.
There are exactly two lawful exceptions , and they are separate processes with separate paperwork:
A written medical exception to policy (ETP) .
An approved religious accommodation .
A Soldier operating under either must retain and readily produce the signed memorandum when in uniform or on duty in civilian attire, upon request. Any Soldier may make an on-the-spot correction to uniform standards; leaders may ask whether a Soldier holds a valid ETP or accommodation.
- 2. Medical Exceptions to Policy (AD 2025-13)
- Permanent profiles are gone
Army Directive 2025-13 prohibits permanent shaving profiles. The most common qualifying condition remains pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) — razor bumps, in which curly facial hair curves back into the follicle and produces inflammation, pustules, and scarring — but other conditions may also require a pause in shaving.
The process
A Soldier with a shaving limitation is documented on a physical profile, DA Form 3349-SG .
The first O-5 commander in the chain of command directs re-evaluation by a medical provider , who assesses current treatment and determines whether continuation is required.
The medical provider recommends a treatment plan designed to return the Soldier to the clean-shaven standard, and the first O-5 commander reviews and approves it .
Once the plan is approved, the first O-5 commander issues the Soldier a written ETP for the facial-hair grooming standard. The ETP is valid only for the duration of the shaving profile.
Commanders and the NCO support chain actively monitor the treatment plan to help the Soldier return to compliance.
The phased treatment plan
Phase Purpose Time limit
Phase I Control of mild cases; the Soldier may avoid shaving for up to four weeks while under treatment Not to exceed 30 days
Phase II Control of moderate to severe cases and cases unresponsive to Phase I; up to eight weeks initially, or four additional weeks if continuing from Phase I Not to exceed 60 days
Phase III Control of severe cases unresponsive to Phase II; up to four additional weeks, then further modified grooming if the provider recommends Not to exceed 90 days, inclusive of Phase II and Phase III
Phase IV (optional) Referral for specialty care and targeted treatment such as laser hair removal; elective, and may be government-funded No fixed limit
At the end of the phase identified in the treatment plan, the Soldier either adheres to the grooming standard or is re-evaluated .
The separation trigger
An accumulation of facial-hair ETPs totaling more than 12 months in a 24-month period may result in an administrative separation. Note the verb: the directive authorizes , and does not require, separation proceedings.
3. Religious Accommodation (AD 2026-09)
Religious accommodations are processed under AR 600-20 , and Army Directive 2026-09 rebuilt the review process specifically for uniform, grooming, and appearance accommodations. It does not alter medical ETPs or other categories of religious accommodation such as dietary requests.
Core rules
Accommodations are granted only for sincerely held religious beliefs . Secular, philosophical, or sociological beliefs do not qualify.
Every new or resubmitted request is routed through IPPS-A to a single approval authority: the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs .
The Soldier must complete a formal, nonconfidential chaplain interview to assess the religious basis and sincerity of the request. "Nonconfidential" matters: this interview is not privileged pastoral communication.
Approved decision memoranda are recorded in the Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR) or IPPS-A by the O-5 commander.
Mandatory re-evaluation of existing accommodations
AD 2026-09 serves as written notice that all previously approved uniform, grooming, and appearance religious accommodations must be resubmitted for re-evaluation :
Phase one (days 1–120): immediate resubmission and review of all existing facial hair accommodations.
Phase two (days 121–240): resubmission of all other appearance accommodations — uncut hair, religious headgear, tattoos, and jewelry.
Currently approved accommodations remain valid while pending review . A Soldier submitting a brand-new request must maintain current Army grooming standards while the packet is pending .
4. Comparing the Two Routes
- Medical ETP (AD 2025-13) Religious accommodation (AD 2026-09)
- Basis Documented medical condition, commonly PFB Sincerely held religious belief
- Documenting form DA Form 3349-SG profile plus a written ETP Decision memorandum recorded in AMHRR/IPPS-A
Approval authority First O-5 commander in the chain of command Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
- Routing Medical provider to O-5 commander IPPS-A, with a nonconfidential chaplain interview
- Duration Valid only for the duration of the shaving profile Subject to periodic re-evaluation
Adverse consequence More than 12 months of ETPs in 24 months may result in administrative separation Accommodation may be denied or revoked on re-evaluation
- Carry requirement Signed ETP produced on request Signed decision memorandum produced on request
- 5. NCO Responsibilities
A promotion board will test whether you understand your role in this system, not just the timelines:
Verify, do not assume. Ask whether a Soldier has a valid ETP or accommodation memorandum; do not confront a Soldier publicly about the medical basis for a profile.
Protect medical privacy. The underlying diagnosis is not the squad's business. The ETP memorandum is.
Track the calendar. The NCO support chain is specifically directed to monitor treatment plans. Know when your Soldier's phase ends and get them back to the provider before it lapses.
Keep the Soldier at standard in every other respect. An ETP for facial hair does not relax hair, uniform, or fitness standards.
Route new requests correctly. A Soldier asking about a religious accommodation goes to the chaplain and into IPPS-A, and stays at the current grooming standard while the packet is pending.