New US Military Beard Ban Sparks Outcry from Sikh Community

A new U.S. Defense Department directive has ignited widespread criticism after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a sweeping ban on most beards in the military, a move that could severely impact Sikh, Muslim, and Jewish soldiers, as well as Black troops with medical shaving conditions.

The September 30 order calls for all branches of the U.S. military to revert to “pre-2010 standards” that prohibit facial hair waivers — exceptions previously granted for religious or medical reasons. Only elite special forces units will be permitted to retain beards under the new rules.

A Blow to Religious Freedom

Civil rights advocates and religious organizations have condemned the policy, calling it an assault on religious liberty and diversity within the armed forces.

“This decision is not about discipline or lethality — it is about stripping away the dignity and religious identity of devout soldiers who serve this country with loyalty and honour,” said Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA). “Asking a Sikh soldier to shave his beard is the same as asking him to give up his religion.”

NAPA, which has long campaigned for the inclusion of Sikh soldiers in the U.S. military, described the directive as a “betrayal of trust” and urged the Trump administration and members of Congress to block its implementation. Chahal warned that the new policy could drive away not only Sikhs but also Orthodox Jews, Muslims, and other faith-based groups whose traditions require maintaining beards.

Community and Legal Backlash

The Sikh Coalition, a U.S.-based advocacy group, called the move “deeply regressive.” A coalition attorney noted that “for Sikh soldiers, shaving is like cutting off a limb,” referencing a 2022 federal court ruling that upheld Sikh recruits’ right to wear turbans and beards during basic training.

Leaders of major Sikh institutions in India — including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Akal Takht — said they are reviewing the policy before issuing formal statements. However, former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh condemned the directive, recalling the “extraordinary services” of Sikh soldiers in both World Wars and calling for immediate restoration of religious accommodations.

“If You Want a Beard, Join Special Forces”

Speaking at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Secretary Hegseth defended the change, declaring: “If you want a beard, join special forces. If not, shave. We don’t have a military full of Nordic pagans.” He added that the era of “rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles” — referring to waivers for medical or religious reasons — “is over.”

The remarks have been sharply criticized as insensitive and dismissive of the contributions of minority service members. Critics argue that the statement undermines decades of progress toward inclusion in the military.

A Step Backwards

For many Sikhs and other religious minorities, the right to serve without compromising faith was hard-won after years of advocacy and court battles. The new policy now threatens to undo those gains.

“This is a dark day for religious freedom in America’s armed forces,” Chahal said. “Sikh soldiers have fought and died for this country while staying true to their faith. Taking away that right dishonors their service and sacrifices.”

As debates intensify, calls for Congressional intervention are growing louder, with faith-based organizations and civil rights advocates urging the Pentagon to reconsider the policy. Until then, thousands of devout soldiers may soon face a painful choice — between serving the nation and practicing their religion.