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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has intensified his crackdown on beards in the U.S. military, ordering stricter enforcement of grooming standards and tighter scrutiny of medical and religious exemptions. The move follows reports that Hegseth was dissatisfied after seeing multiple bearded sailors during a visit to a Navy ship. The Trump administration argues the policy is about discipline, professionalism and military readiness, while critics say the changes could disproportionately affect service members who require beard exemptions for medical conditions such as pseudofolliculitis barbae or for religious reasons. The renewed push has reignited debate over appearance standards across America's armed forces.