A soldier just got authorization to wear a beard because of his Norse pagan faith

SMSgt Thor Merich I honestly expect that this will quickly be seen as a precedent for all branches, given the DoD stance that led to this change in the first place.

No, not at all, I put my beliefs in my pocket and complied...do it for one thing, do it for everything... so hell no...

SMSgt Mike Jones - I understand that perspective, but I think it's now inevitable. If the Air Force doesn't follow suit, that means that a Sikh can serve in the Army, but not the Air Force. I don't think it would be good for the Air Force to be less progressive or support less religious freedom than other branches of service. This isn't a "should this happen", it's a "this already happened, what next" I think.

2LT (Join to see) - Yea, I get it but, this usually leads to issues down the road... whether religious or not, which is why I support one prescribed set of regulations for all members, especially in a volunteer military... but, we are in times where diversity is the bell to ring...

That would come from a doctor, not a chaplain.

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen - Very true sir.

GySgt John Olson - I believe it's a combination of oral and written traditions combined with personal gnosis.

There isn't a requirement as with the Sikh, but there is a very clear and written emphasis throughout Norse literature (Eddas and Sagas) directly linking facial hair to piety and masculinity, so I think it's pretty valid.
I'd be inclined to see it as acceptable for Sikh, Muslim, Eastern Orthodox Christian, Orthodox Jewish, Norse Pagan, and any other faith group who could show that their faith considers it either a rule or a traditional cornerstone of identity.