RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS
BEARDS
U.S. MILITARY UPDATE
(BEARD RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS)
Following policy changes announced by SecWar, Pete Hegseth, we have updated Religious Accommodation Request memos, as well as added supporting documentation with cultural, historical and religious references, on 27 March 2026.
THE NORSE PAGAN BEARD
In 2018, we made history by securing the first Forn Siðr beard religious accommodation in the U.S. military.
The media coverage at the time was significant:
Task and Purpose
A Soldier Just Got Permission To Rock A Beard Because He’s A Metal Heathen
Fox News
Army allows soldier to have beard because of his 'Norse Pagan' faith
Army Times
A soldier just got authorization to wear a beard because of his Norse pagan faith
Business Insider
A US soldier who worships the Norse thunder god Thor just got permission to keep his beard
Washington Times
Army allows soldier to grow a beard ‘in observance’ of his ‘Norse Pagan faith’
Newsweek
Army soldier allowed to grow beard for norse religion, a ‘heathen’ tradition
Stars and Stripes
Soldier allowed to have a beard because of his Norse pagan faith
Daily Mail
Soldier allowed to keep his beard because of his Norse pagan faith
RELIGIOUS BEARD ACCOMMODATIONS
Resources to assist you in applying for a religious beard accommodation within your command are provided in the Forneskja course.
Beards accommodation memos/endorsement by Forn Siðr are exclusively reserved to current members of Forn Siðr who have passed the Forneskja course (and thus, Silver members or Higher), and who have demonstrated firmly held religious beliefs. This is subject to an individual assessment by a Forn Siðr military liaison officer.
