EDIT: Document is live on ArmyPubs. https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR\_pubs/DR\_a/ARN46731-ARMY\_DIR\_2026-09-000-WEB-1.pdf

BLUF:

- Mustaches are still authorized.

- Sideburns can no longer extend past the top of the opening of the ear canal. They previously could not extend past the bottom of the ear canal.

- Re-evaluation of all facial hair religious accomodation requests will begin immediately and conclude no later than 4 months from now.

- Re-evaluation of all appearance and uniform religious accomodation requests will begin no earlier than 4 months from now and conclude no later 8 months from now.

- Recommendation for approval or disapproval of religious accomodation requests will be given by the immediate commander, O-5 commander, and GCMCA authority (active) or first general officer in the chain of command (guard/reserves).

- Approval or disapproval authority lies with the Assistant Secretary of Army for Manpower & Reserve Affairs.

- If their RA approval is rescinded after re-evaluation, Soldiers must return to AR 670-1 standards within 24 hours.

- If a commander believes there is an issue of sincerity with an RA, a request for review will be forwarded to the GCMCA/first general officer in the chain of command.

Just had a discussion with a field grade who didn’t realize that when you submit a pass from Day X thru Day Y, it starts at the end of the duty day before Day X.

Yeah, I know.

It did raise a valid question though… why does a pass start the day before the start date while leave starts at 0000 the day of?

Because some of ya’ll don’t know how to read and certain individuals like to leave out information in the pursuit of recruiting, this post serves as clarification on the relationship between SMP enrollment, scholarships, and competing for active duty.

BLUF: YOU CAN ONLY DO 2 OUT OF THE FOLLOWING 3 ACTIONS AT ANY INSTANCE.

1. COMPETE FOR ACTIVE DUTY

2. ENROLL IN SMP

3. HAVE A FEDERALLY-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIP

What does this mean? It means you have three options.

Option 1: If you want to compete for active duty and want to enroll in SMP, you should not have or accept a federally-funded scholarship. Getting a scholarship while SMP means it will only be a GRFD scholarship and you will be locked into the Guard or Reserves. Alternatively, you could give up your national scholarship so you can enroll in SMP, but that’s not a good idea.

Option 2: If you have a federally-funded scholarship and want to compete for active duty, you cannot/should not enroll in SMP. Doing so will convert your scholarship to a GRFD scholarship and you will be permanently locked into the Guard or Reserves.

Option 3: If you enroll in SMP and have a federally-funded scholarship, that scholarship is automatically a GRFD scholarship and you are permanently ineligible to compete for Active Duty.

/end rant