Shaving Waivers Exclude Some Service Members From Hegseth Event at Camp Humphreys

During Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit with U.S. troops in South Korea this week, some individuals will be notably absent—particularly those sporting facial hair.

According to an internal email from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, service members with shaving waivers have been prohibited from attending the event with Hegseth at Camp Humphreys. A message that spread on the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco social media page referenced grooming standards for the upcoming visit.

An official from the Air Force has verified the email's authenticity, stating that the directive is relevant solely to this particular engagement.

“It is customary for senior leaders to meet with the troops during their visits to installations globally,” the official stated in a communication to Task & Purpose. The official provided no further details regarding the exclusion of airmen with shaving waivers.

The recent policy has generated significant discontent among certain service members on social media, especially those holding waivers for medical or religious grounds. Pseudofolliculitis barbae, a persistent skin condition that can cause painful and occasionally disfiguring effects from shaving, is frequently cited as a reason for troops to receive waivers.

The Department of Defense permits exceptions to grooming standards for individuals with medical conditions or religious beliefs, including service members from Muslim and Sikh backgrounds who keep beards for faith-related purposes.

Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer and Fox News contributor, is traveling to South Korea to meet with U.S. Hegseth is traveling to South Korea to meet with U.S. Forces Korea leadership and strengthen defense collaboration amid increasing tensions with North Korea. His schedule includes visits to Camp Humphreys, the most extensive U.S. He also plans to visit Osan Air Base, which is home to the 51st Fighter Wing, and other military bases overseas.

The Pentagon has yet to provide a direct comment on the beard restriction, but this incident underscores an ongoing discussion within the U.S. military regard regarding appearance, professionalism, and inclusion. Some critics contend that preventing troops with authorized shaving waivers from participating in prominent events conveys an inappropriate message.

“The concern isn’t about facial hair—it’s about fairness,” one airman expressed on a well-known military forum. “If you are capable of serving, you should also be capable of standing in formation.”