The study also called for re-examining the Air Forces most-cited reason for having a beard regulation, which is the concern that a beard would interfere with a gas masks seal around an airmans face. The new findings build off a preliminary study published in December which said that shaving waivers had negatively affected the careers of many airmen, especially those of color. The Air Force encourages religious freedoms of service members as one of four pillars of resiliency to help build and sustain a strong and healthy workplace and community. Judge Prevents Air Force From Penalizing Airmen Who Refused Vaccine In August, images posted on Air Force amn/nco/snco teased a pilot program for inclusive male grooming standards which would allow service members to grow neatly-kept facial hair up to a quarter-inch in length, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine. Many airmens dearest wish may soon come true if the Air Force greenlights a pilot program allowing some men to grow beards. Air University Airman overcomes barriers to express his faith as a US Air Force Grants Exemption for Norse Heathen Beard U.S. Military Issues Another Beard Waiver for Muslim Airman Maysaa Ouza became the first Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps officer to wear hijab. Garrett Sopchak mythology, a collection of interesting stories but little more. The last sentence indicates that Air Force senior leadership wants to be in sync with other services on major changes in facial hair policy. Wing commanders or other leaders at major commands, numbered air forces or other organizations will then approve or deny such a request. A member of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has received the first-ever religious-related waiver, allowing him to wear a turban and keep a beard. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. The updated regulation said beards must be no longer than two inches when measured from the bottom of the chin, and must be rolled and/or tied when longer than two inches. Muslim, Sikh and pagan members of the Air Force have individually requested and received waivers for religious apparel and beards in recent years, but this is the first time the guidelines and the accompanying approval process are being standardized. One civilian study from 2018 showed that 98% of study participants with an eighth-inch of beard passed the fit test with respirators that are similar to the M-50 gas masks used in the military in terms of material and fit. Airmen in the guard with waivers can wear beards in Air Force ceremonies and duties, but not as part of a joint service honor guard with another branch, Military.com reported. The move came as a result of the Army authorizing beards for religious soldiers in January 2017 as part of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a move specifically enacted for Sikh soldiers. No Sikh American should have to choose between their religious beliefs and their career ambitions, Klapper said in a statement Wednesday. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Kuzminski said it makes the Air Force and Space Force the first branches to look at a facial hair pilot program not tied to a religious or medical waiver, which would help normalize facial hair . Air Force revises grooming rules to accommodate religious beards - BJC However, most airmen who have waivers are Black, because they are more likely to be affected by pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) than White airmen. Correction: This story was updated at 6:53 p.m. to reflect correct information about religious waivers for beards. The DAF will remove adverse information from records of those currently serving service members who sought. Press J to jump to the feed. (Garrett Sopchak) For nearly a year, the Air Force weighed a staff sergeant's request to grow a beard as part of his religious beliefs before. I want to go all out with practing the religion (including reading the Quran like it is recommened during Ramadan. 3 0 obj At first, it appeared Sopchak was the first Heathen to get a beard waiver. For a long time, the old Norse mythology of Odin, Thor and Ragnark was just that for Staff Sgt. Beards could be two months away in the Air Force. The Air Force has granted several airmen permission to wear beards, turbans and the hijab for religious reasons in recent years. Part of HuffPost Politics. For example, hijabs must be closely fitted to the contours of the airman's head and neck, tucked under the uniform top, and cannot cover the airman's eyebrows, eyes, cheeks, nose, mouth or chin. If they didnt have one, in some of the stories, they were actually ridiculed. 2 0 obj 173rd Fighter Wing Airmen may begin taking advantage of new uniform regulations allowing religious exemptions such as beards, hijabs, and turbans while in uniform. The Sikh Coalition represents Airman 1st Class Gurchetan Singh, who is the first Sikh American to secure a religious accommodation to serve in the Air National Guard. Last week the United States Air Force announced that it had updated its regulations, and will allow airmen to seek a waiver to wear turbans, hijabs or beards for religious reasons. In December, Military.com reported that the Air Force Honor Guard changed its policy in April to allow airmen with shaving waivers to apply and join the guard. The Air Force Times reports that applications for waivers can now be made by airmen who wish to wear religious apparel or are requesting exemptions from rules prohibiting beards and long hair. Giselle Klapper, a Sikh Coalition staff attorney, said her group has long been seeking a blanket proclamation that all Sikh Americans who wear turbans and beards as part of their faith can serve in every branch of the military without seeking individual accommodations. Air Force updates its dress code policy to include turbans - CNN 28, beards are generally allowed in the military "provided they are neatly trimmed, present a professional and well-groomed appearance, and are not excessive in bulk or length," with the caveat that beards may have to be removed for medical reasons or under orders from a superior. Shaving waivers can hold back an airman's career, and since most airmen with waivers are Black, the regulations are effectively discriminatory. There are also exceptions for Air Force Reservists serving less than 30 days. Air & Space Forces Magazine is the official publication of the Air & Space Forces Association, 1501 Langston Boulevard, Arlington, Va., 22209-1198. Religious head coverings are also required to be free of designs or markings unless the individuals uniform has a camouflage pattern. Capt. Air Force). Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. thx. William Bailey received a waiver to grow a beard March 1, according to an Air Force memo posted in July to the amn/nco/snco Facebook page. David Roza The regulation follows years of individual airmen and other service members receiving waivers for religious beards and apparel. Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) in United Religious groups applaud new Air Force rules allowing turbans, hijabs According to the memo, which was first posted on the unofficial Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco July 12, Sopchak can wear a neat, conservative beard that presents a professional, well-groomed military appearance and stays no more than two inches from the bottom of his chin. Imagine the man-hours saved when men dont have to go to the doctor to get approved for a shaving waiver, and then periodically renewed., Daniel Walker, another Facebook user, added: They keep relaxing grooming standards instead of giving us things that would actually increase our quality of life.. I can answer the questions, so it is not really a problem but how is that even legal? As we work to build a more inclusive force, we are constantly assessing and evaluating all of the processes and programs that affect our Airmen, she said. And last December, a group of sailors on the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis held the Navys first Heathen lay service. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. 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