U.S. Navy mandates monthly facial hair waiver accountability reports from commands starting August 2026

Published Aug 3, 03:55 PM UTC

The U.S. Navy issued a new NavAdmin memo on July 31, 2026, requiring commands to produce monthly facial hair accountability reports for sailors with medical shaving waivers, due by the 15th of each month starting August 2026. The policy expands on a July 7 order allowing up to 12 months of medical treatment for conditions like Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (razor bumps). Treatment plans are limited to 90-day increments, with a review after six months. Sailors exceeding 12 months without achieving daily shaving ability face evaluation for separation, with administrative separations beginning September 30, 2026. Additionally, all previously approved and pending religious accommodation requests for facial hair must be resubmitted and reevaluated; those not updated since June 10, 2026, will be rescinded. Commanding officers have until August 7, 2026, to submit compliant requests for sailors unable to meet the timeline due to deployment or other exceptional circumstances.