Updated?

SPC.....welcome to hurry up and wait dot gov. They very well could be dragging it in the hopes that you'll get frustrated and just drop it. However you went through the proper channels and went about it according to standard....so stick it out. Keep at it if it is really that important to you. Don't worry about what they might think. Understand that it is simply not at the top of their priority list. It is what it is. Understand that consistent persistence is going to be key to making that happen.

Godspeed, SPC.

For decades we've been told the primary reason you can't have a beard is because you cannot get a good seal with a gas mask if you have a beard. Does being a follower of a religion that requires you to have a beard somehow grant you immunity from chemical and biological agents? Or have we been lied to for the last 70 years?

Yes, and they move at their own pace. If it is still showing as an active request, then there is hope. Wait!

It takes time. But remember, you can have the strongest case to get a waiver, but it can sill be denied

In your research I am sure you found several examples of soldiers who had their requests approved. Personally I know of several individuals of the Sikh faith who had their requests approved and I know of a Norse who had his approved. Just understand that it's the Military and that anything that stands out as "different" will get a lot of attention. Not all negative but it will be attention none the less. Attracting attention by itself is looked upon negatively by leadership because attention draws questions and they don't want to be in front of someone's desk having to answer uncomfortable questions. If it was a more common process you would see a lot more beards running around. You don't because it is a tightly monitored process. If it is something you want to pursue you need to ride it out. Good Luck.

Hope the command gets off their backsides and approves...soon.

Congratulations. Rally Point has two ways to post, Updates and Questions. Questions always end in a question mark.

This is speculation, but you have to end your post with a question mark because in the eyes of the site you're posting a question.

Well, for one I would tend to think you are a FRAUD due to you cussing to make a point or to make you appear to be a victim.
(Side note: It took Congress 6 years to approve the design on the ONE DOLLARS BILL)
To make a point or to express your point you would not say that to your chaplain or home town minister.
Secondly, facial hair interferes with your safety in the areas of Chemical, Biological Warfare, Field sanitation, and personal hygiene sitiution depending.
If, you haven't noticed let me point out that many doctors who have similar religious convictions have shaved not only their facial hair but thier heads as well to insure maximum safety while treating patients in this pandemic.
I wish you the best of luck in you journey. Be true to yourself and understand even at a snail's pace you are making progress.

I truly am not sure how this might go if you want the truth. There have been instances where Service Members have taken on a faith or religion which is a change to there existing status. Which essentially men’s that the SM in question made a contract outside of the good faith contract entered into when enlisting or re-enlisting. There is presidency. On the other hand the unit can simply review validity and award. Conditionally based of course-all SMS must meet safe grooming standards for annual quake and NBC training. And for some daily duties require stricter grooming standards, some medical duties, some maintenance duties, lab techs etc. are required to wear PPE. In other cases such as your MOS and the current COVID environment may dictate POE for you, in which case you would have to shave your beard. Finally, if approved your hair would have to be maintained much the same as a female, there is no exception for that.