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Marine Corps Orders Beard Removal, Threatens 2026 Separations

4/28/2026

37 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Marine Corps policy forces Marines with pseudofolliculitis barbae to shave within 12 months or face separation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push for a clean-shaven force led to a waiver cap of one year and a six-month and one-year review requirement.
Separations filed under the memo won’t take effect until October 1, 2026, while a 2019 study says covered laser hair removal can cause pain, erythema, and permanent scarring.

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Story summary

The Marine Corps policy forces Marines with pseudofolliculitis barbae to shave within 12 months or face separation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s push for a clean-shaven force led to a waiver cap of one year and a six-month and one-year review requirement.
Separations filed under the memo won’t take effect until October 1, 2026, while a 2019 study says covered laser hair removal can cause pain, erythema, and permanent scarring.