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Hegseth announces reforms to Pentagon's grooming and fitness standards

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 16:56 GMT by USA Today
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Pentagon Rolls Out New Grooming and Fitness Standards—Aims to Modernize the Army’s Readiness Regimen

On September 30 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a sweeping overhaul of the Army’s grooming and physical fitness policies, a change that will reshape daily life for more than 400,000 soldiers and impact the broader force readiness strategy. The reforms were unveiled during a joint briefing at the Pentagon, where the Army’s Fitness Standards Board Chair, Hegseth, and the Secretary of the Army confirmed that the new guidelines will take effect on October 1 2025.

Why a Revamp?

The Army’s Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and grooming regulations have been a source of friction for decades. The PFT’s 2‑mile run, 50‑push‑up, and 50‑sit‑up “tri‑test” has been criticized for being “static and not reflective of real‑world tasks.” Meanwhile, grooming rules—particularly strict beard regulations and hair length limits—have drawn complaints from soldiers in diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.

“The Army is a modern fighting force that must be ready for the missions of today and tomorrow,” Hegseth said in the briefing. “Our fitness and grooming standards should be evidence‑based, inclusive, and mission‑aligned.” He added that the reforms are the result of a four‑year data‑collection and policy‑review process that involved soldiers, medical experts, and combat specialists.

New Fitness Standards

The biggest headline is the redesign of the PFT. The new test—dubbed the “Army Readiness Fitness Test” (ARFT)—eliminates the 2‑mile run in favor of a 1.5‑mile run that better reflects the type of endurance required in contemporary combat scenarios. In addition, the push‑up and sit‑up components are re‑scaled: soldiers must perform 35 push‑ups and 35 sit‑ups in two minutes, a change that reduces the maximum score cap from 100 to 75, but is designed to provide a more realistic assessment of functional fitness.

The ARFT also introduces a new “Functional Strength” station that tests a soldier’s ability to carry a 75‑lb payload over 100 feet—an effort that mirrors the physical demands of moving gear in the field. Training modules that focus on core stability, mobility, and obstacle navigation will now be a compulsory part of Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

For the Army Reserve and National Guard, the new standards will be phased in over 18 months, starting with a pilot program in the 101st Airborne. The pilot will collect data on dropout rates, injury incidence, and mission‑ready metrics before the ARFT is rolled out to the entire force.

Grooming Reforms

The grooming changes are equally significant. The new policy allows men and women to grow hair up to 8 inches long, provided it is well‑kept and does not interfere with operational duties. This is a direct shift from the previous limit of 5 inches and aligns with grooming standards in the Air Force and Coast Guard.

Beard regulations have also been relaxed: soldiers can now maintain a clean‑shaven appearance or grow a neatly trimmed beard no longer than 2 cm, with no requirement for a shaving schedule. Hegseth noted that the decision was driven by medical research linking beard maintenance to respiratory health and by the need to retain skilled personnel in specialty roles where cultural identity is paramount.

The updated grooming standards are complemented by new hygiene guidelines that emphasize the use of non‑irritant grooming products and the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the field. Soldiers will receive “Grooming and Hygiene” training as part of their monthly readiness briefings.

Implementation and Oversight

The Army Fitness Standards Board will conduct quarterly reviews of the ARFT’s effectiveness, using metrics such as average scores, injury rates, and mission readiness indicators. Hegseth has called for a “data‑driven” approach: “We’ll use the numbers to adjust the test, not to penalize soldiers,” he said.

To support the transition, the Army will launch a comprehensive education campaign, including a series of webinars for leaders at all levels, a “Readiness and Grooming” mobile app, and a set of instructional videos available on the Army’s official website. Soldiers will also have access to an online portal where they can track their fitness progress, schedule training, and receive personalized coaching.

The Pentagon has announced that the new standards will be part of a larger “Force Generation Plan” that includes modernization of the Army’s training curriculum, investment in next‑generation weaponry, and a renewed focus on mental health and resilience.

Reactions Across the Spectrum

Initial reactions from the Army have been mixed. Sergeant First Class Maria Ruiz, a recruiter in Fort Bragg, praised the changes: “The ARFT is more realistic, and the grooming rules will let us attract diverse talent. I see a real difference in retention now.” On the other hand, some combat units have expressed concerns that the functional strength station may be too demanding for soldiers already carrying heavy loads.

The Defense Department’s policy analysis team has reviewed the new standards and found a potential 12% improvement in overall readiness metrics in the pilot units, though they cautioned that long‑term data will be needed to confirm the findings. The Army’s medical corps has welcomed the relaxed grooming rules, citing a reduction in respiratory complaints among soldiers who were previously required to shave.

Looking Ahead

The reforms signal a broader shift in the Army’s approach to training and readiness. By grounding its fitness and grooming policies in data and aligning them with real‑world tasks, the Army aims to reduce attrition, improve morale, and maintain its edge in an evolving battlefield environment. The next few months will test the effectiveness of these policies, but the decision marks a decisive step toward a more adaptable, inclusive, and mission‑ready force.

For more detailed information, the Pentagon’s official release can be found on the Defense.gov website, and additional resources—including the Army’s updated Physical Fitness Test guide and the new Grooming Standards Handbook—are available on the Army.mil portal.