Should I pursue a Catholic religious exemption for a beard? Will it be a lengthy process?

2022-05-10T20:22:20-04:00

I don't know how to exactly word this and it might come off as unexpected to many but I am trying to get religious accommodation for my beard and hair. Some of you might be familiar with the story of the male soldier who got a religious exemption for beard and hair. I went trough a similar path of darkness and found religion to help me and reading the bible it helped me get trough a lot. I understand many people believe that Catholicism and Christianity are different but they are not that different just a couple things but they follow the same bible. I started reading and looking into my religion more as now I want to practice it in my everyday life mind you this isn't and overnight thing I was raised in this religion but now starting to really put the practices in my life for a couple years now. I want to get a religious exemption for my hair and beard as I read trough the bible and in a couple books I noticed the talk of no shaving the head or of the beard I'll write them at the end but I wanted to see if anyone had any insight if this is something I should pursue or will it be a lengthy process? Maybe someone has gone trough this or going trough it give me some insight or if anyone believes it can be denied? I want to be able to start to practice my religion or would it be hard to get an exemption on the hair but easier for the beard? As many of you know a lot of religions get exemptions for beards. Helpful insight is appreciated I know some might come offended but I hope there is actual feedback and no hate. Thank you here are some of the books. Numbers 6:1-21, Judges 13:5-7, Leviticus 19:27, 2 Samuel 10:4-5, Jeremiah 41:4-5, and Leviticus 21:5.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made May 10 at 2022 9:28 PM

2022-05-10T21:28:46-04:00

Are you Jewish? - All those books are the old testament, not the new testament. Are you a priest, either Catholic (choice) or Greek Orthodox (required, I think) Christion?
To my knowledge the Catholic and Orthodox church don't say any thing about "beard requirements" to serve in the US Military.
A Chaplain can better answer your query. Your unit/post does have chapels - correct?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 10 at 2022 10:00 PM

2022-05-10T22:00:29-04:00

No.

The very fact that you are asking *if* you should means that it is not so strong a requirement that it qualifies for an exemption.

In order to qualify for an exemption, the requirement must be so strong that shaving is not an option. Essentially, if given the choice of shave, court martial, or chapter, and you choose shave... You don't qualify.

I ain't a lawyer and I ain't a Chaplain. Not have I ever been one - or a Commander who would approve or deny such an exemption. So take my statement for what it is worth. And I am sure any of those folks would give you prettier, more technical, and more specific language. But this is what it boils down to in simple terms.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2022 10:12 PM

2022-05-10T22:12:58-04:00

No one can really tell you how you feel and how you should practice your religion. The Army however can say that it is not within the best interest of the Army based on those in the military who currently practice. I honestly don't know anybody who is Catholic that currently has a exception. It would be challenging when you have Catholics who are chaplains in the military who do not prescribe to such a thing. However you practice a religion you should be prepared for the Army to say no and separate you. That choice is up to you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2022 10:15 PM

2022-05-10T22:15:27-04:00

I would venture a guess that you are about to attempt to ice skate uphill with hot skates on thin ice. Be that as it may...you will need to seek out and speak with your Religious Leader and Base Chaplain.

But. Here is something you need to take into account. With the exception of specific religions (Sikhs, as an example), the majority of Religious Exemptions for hair are a base by base approval. So, what could be given as an exemption for your current base, the next base you go to could very well deny you the exemption.

You need to be firm in your convictions of faith for this to convince your Chaplain. Once could venture a guess that since you're coming here you may not have a very strong case. Once could also venture a guess that you have already talked to the Chaplain and was denied the request.

But. If you really want to go this route, you need to seek your Chaplain

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made May 10 at 2022 11:29 PM

2022-05-10T23:29:24-04:00

I’m calling Bullshit. People join the military the military does not join the people.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 12:01 AM

2022-05-11T00:01:31-04:00

Probably going to have a rough go of it, but if you believe in it then go for it. It will go through the Chaplain, JAG, and CoC and a decision will be made. Talk with your Chaplain and make your case.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 2:35 AM

2022-05-11T02:35:49-04:00

Religious exemptions require the endorsement of your chaplain. Your chaplain will certify that beards are not a tenet of faith for Catholics, and your exemption will be denied

Response by CSM William Everroad made May 11 at 2022 8:52 AM

2022-05-11T08:52:55-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member, The conversation with your Chaplain will center around "sincerely held religious beliefs". Most are Theology experts in their given religion, so if you profess to follow Catholicism, your Catholic Chaplain will have the answers according to church doctrine. I know of zero mainstream Catholics, and zero niche sects of Catholicism, that have been granted a religious exemption for hair growth because it simply isn't a tenant of the religion, no matter what the individual believes. Now, if you somehow have justified that your religious beliefs are so devout that individual lines in your religious text is the core of your faith, I would think that would preclude military service, unless you are also a consciousness objector. If you are so devout that you are pulled towards commitment to the faith above all else, it might be time to look at compatibility with military service.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 11:40 AM

2022-05-11T11:40:30-04:00

If you are interested in Catholicism, the pope hasn't worn a beard in over 300 years. The Catholic church required by canonical law for all priests to shave for over a thousand years.
The beard is certainly no tenet of the Catholic faith, at most it is something that is now tolerated by the church.
I think that if you actually talk to a Catholic priest, you'll find that you can practice Catholicism beard-free with zero crises of faith.
The scripture you are citing about beards is all Old Testament, and many of them (Nazarite) also require burnt offerings, usually in the same paragraph.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 11 at 2022 3:08 PM

2022-05-11T15:08:11-04:00

You are going to have an uphill battle for sure. The main issue being that the precedence for the exception to policy has not been established for those following Christian based faiths such as Catholicism. The main examples I know of successful waivers are Sikh, Pagan and Norse worshipers. First stop needs to be your Chaplain. Even if you get a waiver it may have restrictions/limitations and will most certainly be restricted to your current Command/Base.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2022 10:55 PM

2022-05-15T22:55:31-04:00

A beard is not a tenet of Catholicism. I was raised Catholic (stopped practicing it years ago) and never in all those years did I ever hear anything about beards as a requirement or tenet. In fact, most men in the church we went to did not have them. I have never even seen a priest in any Catholic church I've been in with a beard.

Quick Google search:

"No pope since Pope Julius II has nourished a beard during their papal reigns, and today, only Eastern priests and Western priests with medical conditions (and episcopal approval) are allowed to wear beards."

This is more of a blog but anything I find in a quick search seems to point to Catholics have been pretty anti-beard for men.

https://focusequip.org/the-salvation-history-of-facial-hair/

The Salvation History of Facial Hair - FOCUS

I would like to humbly apologize to the entire English-speaking population of the universe. In my last blog, “The Four Best Beards in the History of Christendom,” I made the rather bold claim that Catholicism and chin wigs are inextricably connected. I waited to see if anyone else would correct me, but it was my […]

Response by LCpl Kenneth Heath made May 20 at 2022 10:58 PM

2022-05-20T22:58:31-04:00

A-HA-HA-HA-HA...dumbass!
What kind of self-absorbed idiot would want a beard in a Military environment? I love fighting guys with beards, it's a really convenient handle to guide their face into nearby solid objects and the blade of my Kabar! Also, when it comes time to get a proper seal on a gas mask, I want smooth skin! If you want to hide behind your religion to protect your hair-do, do everyone a favor; leave the Military and go join a nunnery!

Response by Sgt Jake Middlebrook made Jun 18 at 2022 10:09 PM

2022-06-18T22:09:54-04:00

You appear to me to have decided to follow, Old Testament or Jewish Law governing hair and beard. At least one man has claimed he has taken a Nazirite Vow and gotten an exemption. "Yahweh spoke to Moses and said, 'Speak to the Israelites and say: If a man or a woman wishes to make a vow, the Nazirite vow, to vow himself to Yahweh, he will abstain from wine and fermented liquor, he will not drink vinegar derived from one or the other, he will not drink grape juice or eat grapes, be they fresh or dried. For the duration of his vow he will eat nothing that comes from the vine, not even juice of unripe grapes or skins of grapes. As long as he is bond by his vow, no razor will touch his head; until the time for which he has vowed himself to Yahweh, he will not go near a corpse, he will not make himself unclean for his father or his mother, or his brother or his sister, should they die, since on his head he carries his vow to his God. Throughout the whole of his vow he is a person consecrated to Yahweh."Numbers 6:1- 8
If you are willing to sincerely follow the Nazirite rules the Army MAY make an exception for you. The only other people I am aware of with religious exemptions are either Islamic or Orthodox Jewish folks who got their exemptions before enlisting. It will not hurt to talk to a Chaplin.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2022 11:43 PM

2022-06-18T23:43:47-04:00

SPC Baker,
I have never met a requirement as a practicing Catholic that attends military/civilian mass regularly, attended Romanian Eastern Orthodox Catholic services during deployments and who is a 4th degree KoC. Have you completed the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) to receive your Sacraments? I think once you truly commit to the religion than you will have a better understanding of Catholicism.

Response by SFC Howard Holmes made Jun 28 at 2022 6:28 PM

2022-06-28T18:28:00-04:00

I went to Catholic schools for 12 years. I have a sister that was a nun and I looked in to the priesthood for a brief period of time, and I have NEVER, EVER heard of there being a requirement for a beard. The only ones I know that require beards are Muslims, Jews and Amish. I'm certain there are probably others, like possibly the Greek Orthodox Church, or the Russian Orthodox Church, which are very close to Catholicism, but Catholics have NO beard requirements.

Response by PO2 Mike Vignapiano made Jul 11 at 2022 7:52 PM

2022-07-11T19:52:40-04:00

I don't know how you can pull that off when all of our Catholic leaders are all clean shaven. I have never seen a priest or clergyman in the Catholic faith, not even in Rome, or the Vatican, with facial hair. Extremely few ever wore hair down to their shoulders, let alone their collars so I think your chances are zil to none, at least for Catholicism.
Good Luck.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2022 10:03 PM

2022-11-18T22:03:18-05:00

There was recently a Roman Catholic Air Force member that was approved for a religious shaving waiver

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2023 10:15 AM

2023-12-19T10:15:54-05:00

I beleive that if you looked in Greek or Russian Orthodox Catholicism then you would be granted. But the Latin Catholic Church is a definite no go.