September 30, 2025 (Washington, DC) — The Sikh Coalition is angered and deeply concerned by the Secretary of Defense’s comments in regards to grooming and uniform standards within the military that were made today in Quantico, Virginia, ahead of a new memo that came out shortly after the meeting.
During the Secretary of Defense’s address to almost 800 generals, admirals, and their senior enlisted leaders, he made appalling comments stating: “No more beards, long hair, superficial individual expression” and even went as far as to say “no more beardo-s.” He also stated that: “if you want a beard, you can join special forces, if not, then shave.”
The memorandum that was published after the meeting states that the Department of Defense will revert back to pre-2010 standards where facial hair waivers were generally not authorized.
Of note, the Sikh Coalition spoke out earlier this year in July when the U.S. Army changed its policy with regards to facial hair for those with medical accommodations; that change did not impact Sikh Soldiers with religious accommodations for their beards, but did discriminate against other communities, including those with medical accommodations.
At this time, we are on high alert to understand what the new guidance may mean for our current and former clients across multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. As our nation’s largest employer, what happens there affects the religious rights of Sikhs throughout the public and private sector. Time and time again, Sikhs have shown that exercising their freedom of religion—one of the foundational rights that members of the military fight to uphold—does not make them less capable of honorable and effective service.
For context, the Sikh Coalition and our allies began representing Sikhs pursuing a career in the U.S. Armed Forces while maintaining their articles of faith (including both turbans and unshorn beards), in 2009, starting with Sikhs in the U.S. Army. Our litigation efforts produced landmark results making it possible for Sikhs to maintain their articles of faith across various military branches. As a result of our work, the U.S. Army updated its uniform and grooming standards in 2017 to better facilitate religious accommodations for Sikhs and other religious minorities to serve with religious articles of faith intact; the U.S. Air Force followed with a similar policy change in 2020, and significant strides were made in the U.S. Marine Corps regarding individuals being able to serve with beards and turbans beginning in 2023.
In the meantime, the Sikh Coalition and SAVA will continue to serve as resources for sangat members with questions or needs pertaining to religious accommodations. Learn more about our military campaign’s major milestones here, and reach out to the Sikh Coalition here if you are in need of legal aid.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.