U.S. Navy: Commands must submit monthly facial hair waiver accountability reports starting July 31

Published Aug 3, 03:55 PM UTC

The U.S. Navy issued a new directive on July 31, 2026, requiring commands to produce monthly facial hair accountability reports for sailors with medical shaving waivers, effective August 2026. The reports must be submitted by the 15th of each month. The policy expands on a July 7 order allowing up to 12 months of medical treatment for skin conditions like Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (razor bumps). Treatment plans are limited to 90-day increments, and after 12 months of continuous treatment without achieving daily shaving ability, sailors may face administrative separation starting September 30, 2026. Additionally, all previously approved and pending religious accommodation requests for facial hair must be resubmitted and reevaluated, with unapproved requests being administratively closed. Sailors who fail to update their religious accommodations by specified deadlines may have them rescinded. Commanding officers have until August 7, 2026, to submit compliant requests for sailors who missed deadlines due to deployment or other exceptional circumstances.