(NewsNation) — The United States military has announced a new facial hair grooming policy for service members.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth issued a memo stating that "the grooming standard for the U.S. military is to be clean-shaven and neat in presentation for a proper military appearance."

The announcement also said commanders must apply consistent criteria and appropriately consider the department's interests in safety and uniformity when authorizing individual exceptions, and that military medical officers will provide a written recommendation concerning a shaving waiver to the commander who is the final approval authority.

Back in March, Hegseth ordered senior Pentagon leaders to conduct a review of military standards regarding the health and appearance across all services.

“We

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