The same neat and conservative approach applies to beards, which must not exceed two inches when measured from the bottom of the chin, the regulations states. Sopchak, a 28-year-old aerospace ground equipment craftsman at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, on July 8 received approval to get approval to wear a beard in accordance with his Heathen faith. William Bailey, a beard waiver. W2~@R>tA);|6[ +XnDnQi\k`LF. Powered by GoDaddy This website uses cookies. Copyright 2023. The Air Force has granted several airmen permission to wear beards, turbans and the hijab for religious reasons in recent years. ~pkgEsHh,1%l|hJ The AFI allows the Air Force to deny a request for a waiver only if it furthers a compelling government interest., Groups such as the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Sikh Coalition, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations announced their support for the decision, with CAIR saying Feb. 12 it is a step toward religious accommodation and inclusion for military personnel of all faiths., No Sikh American should have to choose between their religious beliefs and their career ambitions, Giselle Klapper, a Sikh Coalition staff attorney, said in a release. Eugene Oliver/U.S. It was more relatable.. It also outlines the process to request these exemptions, sets timelines for management to respond, and ensures that the approvals will follow someone throughout his or her career in the Air Force. I am grateful to hear of this policy change, because it codifies in writing what I already know: The U.S. Air Force values the service and contribution of religious minorities like me, Singh said in a statement provided by the group. In December, the Air Force commissioned its first female Muslim chaplain . The airmans unit commander would then decide whether to endorse the request. See Beard News in Air Force for more information. HbMc#!6d~\@sQfe_Mp X_T1ew,`CC _O3b eTBo~&aM(AL?z[vEIYf~;LI>*H~BL 3v3!2/)mC*f3d]UL!'7*^LtPNl2"8}Vo=N@&.&|Ye. The review directed Air Force commanders to conduct a root cause analysis of racial disparities within their commands, develop an action plan for reporting them, then release a progress report within six months. Religious beards in the military were allowed in 2017. The Air Force is first in many things, but in this case the branch came in second to the Army, which in 2017 became the first military branch to grant religious exemptions for beards, turbans and hijabs. Singh was born in India and followed his father, an asylee, to the U.S. in 2012. Many Asatruars and other heathens think it's wrong for heathens to use this exemption because heathens don't have the kind of religion in which our gods require all their followers to follow commandments in order to achieve a proper afterlife. Asking questions is fine, but how is that even legal? It was only after becoming the top enlisted airman that Wright met fellow airmen for whom being clean-shaven was impossible without immense pain and skin damage. Paragraph 1.5.2.3 should be renumbered as 1.5.2.4. He joined Task & Purpose in 2019, after covering local news in Maine and FDA policy in Washington D.C. David loves hearing the stories of individual airmen and their families and sharing the human side of Americas most tech-heavy military branch. Staff Sgt. He also consulted with The Asatru Community, a nonprofit group that advocates for followers of Norse pagan religions. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Beards should have been approved years ago, Facebook commenter Heather Britten wrote. I was the typical senior leader chief that didnt think airmen with a shaving waiver belonged in the front office, one of the branchs most beloved former senior leaders, retired Chief Master Sgt. Beard News in Air Force Copyright 2022 Beard Waiver - All Rights Reserved. If they didnt have one, in some of the stories, they were actually ridiculed. This condition, which the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says affects up to 60 percent of Black men, occurs when curved facial hairs grow back into the skin. 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It is unclear how many Norse pagans, Heathen, or Asatru followers are in the military, but they have become increasingly visible in recent years. He also hopes to grow the Heathen community in the area around Hill. ooming and uniform standards for members who wear turbans, hijabs and beards for religious reasons. The Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group which works on behalf of Sikhs and other religious minorities in the military, praised the new regulation. Save Page Now. The Air Force in recent years has begun granting waivers to allow airmen including airmen of the Muslim, Sikh and Norse Heathen or pagan faiths to grow beards for religious reasons. Chaplains typically can tell if you're trying to BS them and it can affect the perceived credibility of real requests in the future. Airman raises his head as flight surgeon chief of medical staff inspects his neck and face during a shaving waiver course at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., March 15, 2018. The comment, which was also shared on the popular Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco, was made in response to a selfie she posted of herself alongside Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Airman 1st Class Kyle Voss-McReynolds, who was the leadership teams driver during a recent event and who also wears a beard in uniform. Since then, 21 Honor Guard airmen now have a pass to grow neatly-trimmed beards, according to Military.com. The Air Force currently prohibits service members from growing beards unless they are granted a religious or medical waiver, a policy that has come under scrutiny lately after military doctors studied its discriminatory effect on Black airmen. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. Based on the successful examples of Soldiers currently serving with these accommodations, I have determined United States Air Force members who refused to take the COVID vaccine for religious reasons will soon get a reprieve from the punitive actions the military took against them. David Roza (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. Thanks for attaching this, it seems like a simple enough process to get the accommodation. Accommodations, after all, arent about special treatment they are about ensuring that religiously observant Sikhs and others dont have to choose between staying true to our faith and serving our country.. The religious accommodation process is designed to accommodate individuals who can cite specific teachings, traditions, or texts that Air Force policies contradict. While the Air Force prohibits male members from growing beards, waivers are issued to airmen who, for medical and religious reasons, are not able to shave in line with regulations. Its kind of a big thing, culturally.. This is an update to AFI 36-2903, "Dress and personal appearance of Air Force Personnel," and it will allow the headdress to be worn provided it is "neat and conservative" and that the airmen present a professional . Correction: This story was updated at 6:53 p.m. to reflect correct information about religious waivers for beards. There are plenty of smaller regulations detailing how religious beards and apparel should look in order to appear neat and conservative, the Air Force writes. (U.S. Air Force) Airmen will be allowed to wear up to. The new religious accommodation rules also cover unshorn beards and unshorn hair such as those worn by members of the Sikh faith under-turbans or patkas, and other indoor or outdoor head coverings. Hijabs, turbans and under-turbans (also known as patkas) should be free of designs and made of a subdued material in a color that closely resembles ones uniform. It is a sincerely held belief, but I have not been a Muslim for long, only a couple weeks. | You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Don't lie about your belief. And in February, the Air Force officially updated its regulations to formally allow airmen to request religious beard waivers. A1C Rathour is the first Sikh Airman to receive religious accommodation, and may grow his beard and wear his turban while in uniform. In such cases, an airman's command could order an immediate removal of the turban, hijab or facial hair (although it's not clear how much time an airman would have to shave). Airmen in need of a waiver could try laser hair removal or chemical treatment, but many airmen are reluctant to undertake them because it could permanently alter their ability to grow facial hair, the study authors wrote. The hot towels help stimulate the skin to bring out any oils and sweat that can be used for a lubrication layer between the skin and the razor. Any recommendations made by the board would then have to be approved by Air Force senior leadership, a service spokesperson told Coffee or Die at the time. It was approved in September, which means Singh will soon head to basic training. Still, Ritchie called for a study to come up with a conclusive answer. &w\=xi~Wh^iz`b=)!]T;iMC.OXm(+N*uHe{5"@"o$n*uQI'JHyLij%O&Q3 .\nOemNKW2j2ttYK9sll?hyA/fQ/lF\ pVyH0qd~T#o[Bpi*In=mS hU f[6rx~ 8;GO yNb4.A`t`Wj And if that airman is assigned to a unit that wears a beret of a particular color, the unit commander can order him to wear a turban of the same color. We recommend further study of gas mask and respirator fit testing with facial hair in the military population to clarify this.. In an email to Task & Purpose, Bass said the Air Force is continually reevaluating its policies. If substantiated, then the benefits of the grooming standards, as defined in Air Force Instruction 36-2903, should be re-evaluated in the context of these findings, they wrote. Chief Bass comment demonstrates her commitment to changing the culture, and there seems to be some progress already. The hijab, or head scarf, can be made of a subdued material in a color that resembles the airmans assigned uniform, such as black, brown, green, tan or navy blue, the regulation said. I cant tell you how many hundreds of times, probably thousands, that weve gotten [that] question. Theyre more like family members than they are divine beings, Sopchak said. There are also exceptions for Air Force Reservists serving less than 30 days. Hopper,. This condition can appear in a person of any ethnicity but is predominantly seen in Blacks/African Americans, study authors wrote. The Air Force has updated its grooming standards to formally allow Airmen to grow neatly trimmed beards, standardizing the religious or medical exemption process. The group is one of the Air Forces volunteer teams that considers ways to make policies more equitable for all airmen. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. 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. But on July 18, the amn/nco/snco page posted a March 1 memo granting another Heathen airman, Staff Sgt. That study, which involved 798 airmen responding to emailed surveys, called for more research and data on the subject. DAFI 52-201 is the governing regulation for religious accommodation. Those interested in pursuing a shaving waiver at Al Dhafra can attend shaving waiver clinic walk-in hours on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or schedule an appointment at the 380th EMDG clinic during walk-in hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Previously, these airmen needed to get their waivers updated annually. The majority of the waiver group was Black (64.18%), despite that group making up only 12.85% of the cohort. According to the updated regulation, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, the Air Force allows all such apparel and beards as long as the airmen wearing them make it through a religious accommodation waiver process, that they appear neat and conservative, and that the apparel and beards don't interfere with personal safety. The last sentence indicates that Air Force senior leadership wants to be in sync with other services on major changes in facial hair policy. Seven months later, this reporter could not immediately find any such progress reports. William Bailey, received a waiver to grow a beard in March. The U.S. Air Force issued new guidelines on Friday giving members who wear religious apparel a way to serve the country without compromising their faith. Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today. The new version of the service's dress and appearance standards policy allows tattoos up to 1 . The Army last year granted its first beard authorization to a Norse pagan soldier. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Rathour graduated Security Forces technical training on Sept. 26, 2019. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. *!+zu[XAoC_:X/0{ v8iAU}JqQ.u`6fE_GJTBh$Wx)Vpw#7~rDeI0r\!H(NW|/bcPRHBe0tEyXYD q{ You will have a meeting with the Chaplain where they ask you questions to determine if you have a sincerely held belief that you shouldn't shave. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. According to the Department of Defense Instruction 1300. If you saw a man that had a beard, you could almost guarantee that they were a good person, that you could go to them for help," Sopchak said. of the Air Force Kaleth Wright, said in April on a panel discussion on male grooming standards in the Air Force. ;NNB6 j~X3E]4]euu((m#/S>c9K71,E304a;97la@Ejrf-o eP9_$)'"?#EO!orCi=5P@C5TmJY;^qzU/nWXvvRH~]/C >K)a2MuOzZ.VsDNOr%rZR[TINcCPBi!U;$TXA9%9;?&>k37{X]sa`p3Wc1^CKtjBrx\5uI3 % Air Force Special Operations Command has made history by granting a religious accommodation waiver to a Sikh service member. The Supreme Court today upheld Indian Air Force's denial of permission to two Muslim personnel to grow beard, holding that the two orders were in compliance with Regulation 425(b) which . 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. In 2018, the Air Force granted its first "religious accommodation beard waiver" to a Muslim airman, allowing him to wear a beard while in uniform. Theres a lot of comparables where Hey if females and women in the military just got their hair changed, how about beards? said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass in April. David covers the Air Force, Space Force and anything Star Wars-related. 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The Air Force on Friday became the second branch of the U.S. military to approve the wearing of beards, turbans, hijabs, under-turbans/patkas, unshorn hair and other indoor/outdoor head coverings for religious reasons. Sopchak said he was originally raised Baptist, but has not been a Christian for a long time. Start with the chaplain, and work with them to route the request through your chain. 0. As of Jan. 21, the Air Force has administratively separated 111 active duty Airmen. Staff Sgt. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations. >_fn7dw)>S#a\7]zdWwgsZMA2!2/af>]]I+ .$sMOr])0`F\>-vxX|K h%&ZG2xI%#}pxg@;%rE*q"TY(kfIeWgh&*$|- F'$_L2;&"bw.%i^XxzS\'Z+gQI,=b6)J|Se{Sl)xog`7^}T# N7 x+|B7 A federal judge Thursday temporarily blocked the Air Force from penalizing a group of service members who are seeking a religious exemption to otherwise mandatory Covid-19 vaccination, in. 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. A U.S. soldier who is serving in Afghanistan has received a uniform religious exception to sport a beard based upon his Norse pagan beliefs. The same was true for airmen trying to hit the rank of staff sergeant (E-5). Still, it seems the Honor Guard has not completely embraced shaving waivers. This is a volunteers proposal.. We speculate that these members, irrespective of race/ethnicity, may perceive this bias against shaving waivers and choose to leave the service earlier.. 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. Contact the author here. 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. With regards to promotions, the wait grows longer the more time airmen have shaving waivers. In the event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive threat, commanding officers could also ask someone wearing a hijab to remove it to ensure a proper gas mask fit. The Quran, too, was used in a similar manner. When asked about specific efforts for removing the stigma regarding waivers, an Air Force spokesperson told Task & Purpose that the Air Force changed AFI 36-2903, its regulation governing dress and appearance standards., earlier this spring to allow airmen with a shaving profile to trim and shape their facial hair, and to allow airmen with profiles to apply for more positions in the service. [T]he promotion system is not necessarily inherently racially biased, but instead biased against the presence of facial hair which will likely always affect the promotions of Blacks/African-Americans disproportionately because of the relatively higher need for shaving waivers in this population, wrote the authors of a recent Air Force study. In March 2021, after Comer arrived at Maxwell Air Force Base, he started talking to his first sergeant about applying for a religious accommodation to obtain a beard waiver. What happens when patients disagree with an exemption decision? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Currently serving Airmen and Guardians who sought exemptions from the Pentagon's COVID-19 vaccine mandate will see those actions reversed and records erased, a new memo from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall states. It marks the sixth and counting religious waiver permitting a beard in service for the Air Force, according to the online military news conglomerate that broke the story. Staff Sgt. It interfaces with DAFPD 52-1, Chaplain Corps; Air Force Instruction (AFI) . Less of having to work with skeleton crews, he said. He received a beard waiver on July 8, 2019. Airmen can use styling products on their beards, but petroleum-based products are not allowed while wearing a protective mask. There are many religious reasons why people might choose to grow a beard. Community for current and past members of the US Air Force. Tell me youre an A1C without telling me youre an A1C. Isnt the whole point of religious freedom that people CANT do that? This article has been updated to reflect the fact that another Norse Heathen airman, Staff Sgt. Sopchak said hes recently had some airmen, who were interested in exploring his religion, email him with questions, and hes helping other Air Force Heathens get their beards approved. According to an Air Force press . The Reserve or Guard, before finally denying a request, will first consult with the Air Force personnel directorate and obtain a legal review from the Air Force. The United States military continues to bend its strict grooming rules to appease Muslims, most recently allowing an Air Force sergeant to sport a beard for religious reasons. (In heathen lore . Under certain conditions, commanding officers can order the removal of turbans or hijabs to keep service members safe, the regulations state for example, while someone is walking within 25 feet of an operating aircraft. The study, which was published in July 2021, pointed out that many of the airmen who apply for medical shaving waivers are Black, because Black men are more likely to be affected by pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) commonly referred to as razor bumps than White men. The services often claim that facial hair interferes with the seal of a gas mask, but an Air Force doctor has found no direct scientific evidence to support that claim. DAFI52-201 23 JUNE 2021 5 Written request for accommodation received by At first, it appeared Sopchak was the first Heathen to get a beard waiver. Be aware though, that the belief must be sincere, which means you will likely be interviewed by the chaplain about your beliefs, and they will advise your CC on whether or not your beliefs are sincere, or you're just trying to get a beard. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, wants to reduce the branchs cultural bias against shaving waivers granted for medical or religious reasons. . 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. And in June, a Sikh airman received approval to wear a beard and turban. The NATO allies who allow their service members to grow beards also do not have studies showing the impact of facial hair on gas masks, Ritchie said. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Under the new guidelines . Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. This new study shows that changing beard regulations may actually be a need, rather than a want, because the current policy essentially discriminates against Black airmen. | It also outlines the process to request these exemptions, sets timelines for management to respond, and ensures that the approvals will follow someone throughout his or her career in the Air Force. Abdul Rahman Gaitan in 2018 became the first Muslim. He hopes to become a Gothi essentially an ordained priest and perhaps become an official Air Force chaplain. One Facebook commenter questioned why the Air Force needs a separate pilot program when it could study those who already have shaving waivers. In addition to believing in the old Norse gods, he said, Heathens believe that they are descended from them. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to receive a religious accommodation beard waiver. 2 0 obj Because its a faith that hasnt been practiced in about 1,000 years, he said, theres no set way to practice it. 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. Airman becomes the first Muslim to be granted service's beard waiver for observing religion By Jon Simkins Nov 20, 2018 Air Force Staff Sgt. The female hair changes were not a want, it was very much a need based on health first when I talk with our men in uniform: Is this a need or is this a want?. Market-leading rankings and editorial commentary - see the top law firms & lawyers for Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) in United States I had opportunities to hire all kinds of folks and I was adamant about not hiring somebody with a shaving waiver, just because I fell into that category of this is Air Force policy, its not professional, he said. Maysaa Ouza became the first Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps officer to wear hijab. But so far, the call for beards seems to fall on deaf ears. The hammer of Thor, also known as Mjlnir, in 2013 was added to the list of religious symbols authorized to be engraved on gravestones at military cemeteries such as Arlington National Cemetery. The problem is how to convince the rest of the Air Force to follow suit. Despite being in line with regulations, airmen with waivers reported feeling stigmatized for wearing facial hair. If youre willing to learn, we are willing to teach.. Those encounters, along with studies like the one published last year, convinced Wright to change his position. Published Dec 21, 2022 5:12 PM EST. 3.1.2.3.1. t7be,2/gQ u7|O;(?lKHfm'*g' I{C For AFR waiver processing instructions see AFMAN 368001, - Participation and Training Procedures. Under the new process, a commander has up to 30 days to approve an Airmans request for a waiver, and that the accommodation will generally follow the Airman through his or her career. Hopper's exemption is the latest example of the military's effort most notably the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to acknowledge the diverse religious practices represented in its ranks. endobj However, given the most recent research; shaving waivers could play a role in racial disparity in terms of promotions. The Air Force plans to update its Air Force Instruction regulations governing dress and personal appearance and medical care management to reflect this change. At the end of the day, while we are continually out in front with initiatives that provide more opportunities for our airmen to serve to their full potential, we are cognizant that we are part of a broader military force.. The authors called for wider research in the area in order to refute or substantiate their findings. The real challenge is how do you change the culture, not just in the Air Force but in the services period.. Chance Saltzman outlined the three lines in a series of commanders notes published Jan., Thousands of Airmen and Guardians who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19 no longer have to get the shotsand those whofaced disciplinary action for failing to get vaccinated will have their records wiped clean. Black men disproportionately suffer from the ingrown hairs that cause painful razor bumps, either precluding them from shaving more regularly or forcing them to suffer and, in some cases, endure scarring. In the stories, you could see even the gods themselves have flaws, Sopchak said. Sample accommodation request memos included with the regulation said that the Air Force can order an airman to immediately shave or remove their turban or hijab if they need to be ready to wear a gas mask during an emergency. David Roza The idea would let participating airmen sport well-kept beards no longer than one-quarter inch, Military.com first reported Monday. In 2018, Staff Sgt. Want to write for Task & Purpose? A highly visible sign of changing Air Force policy may soon be evident here at Kingsley Field, in Klamath Falls, Oregon. This is the first time the command has done so. However, most airmen who have waivers are Black, because they are more likely to be affected by pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) than White airmen. Does anyone have any information on how you actually get a religious exemption for shaving? There's no more reliable source for news about your Air Force. Sure, but how about competitive pay and benefits? 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 . Tim Chacon/Air National Guard. That assessment, and ability to address and adjust, is critical to our force, and our people. The new AFI formally allows requests for waivers, and for neat and conservative beards that present a professional appearance. The 2021 study found that airmen with shaving waivers faced significantly longer wait times for promotions and were often barred from sought-after jobs such as Honor Guard, recruiting, military training instructors, or the Thunderbirds demonstration team. A California-based airman has become the first Muslim airman to receive a beard waiver after a 2014 policy. Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. For a long time, the old Norse mythology of Odin, Thor and Ragnark was just that for Staff Sgt. We dont have to hire RAND or Booz Allen Hamilton to do it, but the Air Force needs to want it to happen, he said at the time.