The Navy’s beard study, initiated by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro as part of diversity and inclusion efforts, has raised questions about when its findings will be made public and if it will lead to changes in the Navy’s facial hair policy. The study, expected to conclude in 2023, is yet to release its results as 2024 begins. While the Navy has previously cited concerns about facial hair impacting mask seals, safety records indicate only one incident in decades where a beard prevented a proper seal, and a 2021 study found that certain beard lengths did not significantly affect respirator effectiveness. The Navy’s current policy limits beard length to 1/4-inch.

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