A study published last year in Military Medicine found that Air Force shaving waivers are associated with longer times to promotion, which disproportionately affects Black service members. (Pixabay)
The Air Force is resetting the expiration dates on waivers for airmen and guardians with shaving exemptions, or profiles, according to a memo from service’s surgeon general.
“All current shaving profiles remain valid but will expire 90 calendar days after the next Periodic Health Assessment,” said a Friday memo from Dr. (Lt. Gen.) John DeGoes.
A periodic health assessment is an annual screening by the armed forces to evaluate the individual medical readiness of their service members.
The Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office did not respond after business hours Tuesday to an email seeking further information.
In 2020, Air Force surgeon general Dr. (Lt. Gen.) Dorothy Hogg authorized shaving waivers up to five years for airmen and guardians diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae, which causes painful razor bumps and disproportionately affects Black men.
The number of shaving waivers for medical conditions granted to airmen and guardians has nearly doubled over the past three years, according to an April report by Military.com.
In December, Congress decided against a pilot program to allow airmen and guardians to grow beards but asked the Air Force to brief it by April on the feasibility of such a program, the military news site reported Dec. 10.
DeGoes’ memo directs airman and guardians with a medical necessity for a shaving profile to be re-evaluated by a health care provider. Commanders may request a service member be evaluated “due to operational concerns stemming from a medical condition, according to the memo.
The memo states that extended shaving profiles are reserved for severe cases of pseudofolliculitis barbae while mild-to-moderate cases would be given temporary profiles. It does not state how long a waiver may last based on the severity of the case.
Shaving waivers based on religious accommodation are excluded from the new policy, according to the memo.
A study published last year in Military Medicine found that Air Force shaving waivers are associated with longer times to promotion, which disproportionately affects Black service members.
In the study, only 13% of the cohort were Black, of whom 64% were on shaving waivers.
“I have absolutely no issues with shaving waivers for those who need them,” a technical sergeant wrote in a Tuesday comment on the Leadership University Facebook page.
“But when I see an Airmen with a scraggly, 8 haired goatee 1-1/2” long and a baby face everywhere else it infuriates me.”
