Uniform and Grooming Standards for Medical Conditions Update
This MARADMIN updates uniform and grooming standards policy for medical conditions, specifically establishing new reporting requirements for tracking medical accommodations for facial hair grooming standards. It requires Commanding Officers to report all approved and pending medical accommodations using new Training and Admin Event codes (U1-U5) via MCTIMS or UD/MIPS, and provides detailed guidance on the approval, monitoring, and extension processes for these accommodations.
Issued: July 30, 2026
1. Purpose. This MARADMIN reiterates the requirement for Commanding Officers (COs) to actively monitor service members who are unable to comply with uniform and grooming standards per references (a) through (h). It further announces specific reporting requirements per reference (f) and (g) to officially track and report all approved and pending medical accommodations from grooming standards for facial hair. 2. Background. References (a) and (b) established interim policy for service members requiring uniform or grooming standards accommodations due to medical conditions. Subsequently, references (f) and (g) provide directions to the Services of the requirement to track and report individual level medical accommodations. 3. Actions. Effective the date of release of this MARADMIN, COs shall report and track all currently approved and pending medical accommodations from grooming standards for facial hair using newly established Training and Admin Event codes via the Marine Corps training Information Management System (MCTIMS) or Unit Diary/Marine Integrated Personnel Service (UD/MIPS). HQMC, Manpower Military Policy Branch (MPO), Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve Affairs will analyze the custom report within 14 days from the release of this MARADMIN to validate submissions from the initial data call conducted in July 2026. Commands will be contacted to correct any errors in reported information. 3.a. New Reporting Codes. Use the following codes to report pending, approved, and completed medical accommodations from uniform and grooming standards for facial hair. 3.a.1. U1: Medical Accommodation Pending Date. 3.a.2. U2: Medical Accommodation Start Date. 3.a.3. U3: Medical Accommodation 6-Month Admin Counseling Date. 3.a.4. U4: Medical Accommodation End Date. 3.a.5. U5: Medical Accommodation Admin Extension (AE) Date. 3.b. Reporting Requirements 3.b.1. Code U1: (Medical Accommodation Pending Date). Report this code when an Independent Duty Corpsman (IDC) or Medical Officer (MO) recommends a service member be granted approval for a medical accommodation to uniform and grooming standards for facial hair and it is pending the CO's approval. 3.b.2. Code U2: (Medical Accommodation Start Date). Per references (a) and (b), approval of a medical accommodation from uniform and grooming standards for facial hair must be documented on NAVMC 11830 (03-25)(EF). Report code U2 (Start Date) when the CO approves the medical accommodation regardless of the treatment phase in which the Marine begins. As the Marine progresses through the treatment phases do not run additional U2 codes. A new U2 code (Start Date) is only required if the CO approves a separate medical accommodation after having reported a previous U4 Code (End Date). See below example: 3.b.2.a. Example: Initial medical accommodation approved by the CO on 7 January 2026, command reports code U2 (Start Date). The service member is returned to clean shaven grooming standards after successful completion of medical treatment on 10 April 2026, command reports code U4 (End date). On 11 May 2026, the service member returns to medical, obtains a IDC recommendation (command reports code U1), and CO approves medical accommodation on a new NAVMC 11830. The command will report code U2 (Start Date). 3.b.3. Code U3: (Medical Accommodation 6-month Admin Counseling Date). Report code U3 once the CO completes the 6-month administrative counseling. This date is 6-months from the initial approval date. In accordance with reference (b), this date should be no earlier than 24 April 2026. 3.b.3.a. Upon counseling, Marines will receive a standard NAVMC 118(11)(REV. 05-2014)(EF), page 11 entry per the administrative instructions within reference (b). 3.b.4. Code U4: (Medical Accommodation End Date). Report code U4 (End Date) when the medical accommodation is resolved early or the medical accommodation is officially terminated. 3.b.4.a. The expiration date of approved medical accommodations is calculated as the Start Date plus 12-months. 3.b.4.2. Example 1: Initial approved medical accommodation is signed by the CO on 22 July 2026, the command reports code U2 (Start Date). The end date or expiration date is 22 July 2027. At that time the service member is returned to clean shaven grooming standards after successful treatment. The command reports code U4 (End Date) on 22 July 2027. 3.b.4.b. Example 2: Initial approved medical accommodation is signed by the CO on 22 July 2026, the command reports code U2 (Start Date). On 23 March 2027, an IDC or MO determines the medical condition of the service member has resolved and is cleared to return to clean shaven grooming standards. The command will report Code U4 (End Date) for 23 March 2027. 3.b.5. Code U5: (Medical Accommodation Administrative Extension (AE) Date): Report this code upon receipt of an approved administrative extension beyond 12-months from the Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC, M&RA). 3.b.5.a. Clarifying Administrative Extension Guidance. If a CO expects that a service member will exceed the authorized 12-month medical accommodation period, an administrative extension must be requested. The CO will advise the service member to prepare an Administrative Action Form NAVMC 10274, requesting consideration of an extension beyond 12-months. The package will include supporting documentation, IDC/MO recommendations, and justification for the request to include a timeline of expected resolution. 3.b.5.b. A resolution is the conclusion of a medical evaluation board (MEB), physical evaluation board (PEB), administrative separation (ADSEP) board, or a return to clean shaven grooming standards. The administrative extension will be in effect for the duration of a MEB, PEB, or ADSEP board process. Upon resolution, the command will report code U4 (End Date). 3.b.5.c. Approved administrative extensions shall always be maintained with the expired NAVMC 11830 and in the service members' possession. 3.b.5.d. Requests for consideration of an administrative extension shall be routed 30-days prior to the service member's expiration date and will be submitted to the DC, M&RA via the first Marine General Officer in the service members' chain of command to the Manpower Military Policy (MPO) Branch via SharePoint at https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/dcmra_mra_mp_mpo/lists/ Ask%20MPO/Main%20View.aspx. 3.c. For Navy personnel, command reporting as described above is required. Additionally, COs will ensure requests for medical accommodations to uniform and grooming standards on behalf of Sailors are documented on NAVPERS 1000/1 per reference (h). In accordance with reference (h), upon the CO's approval of a medical accommodation, Sailors shall receive an initial counseling documented on NAVPERS 1070/613. 4. Administration 4.a. In accordance with reference (b), service members with an approved medical accommodation to uniform and grooming standards will maintain a copy of the approval in their possession during periods of approved no shaving and will present documentation to leadership as requested. 4.b. Commands will continue to place emphasis on medical treatment, education, monitoring, and assistance for service members unable to comply with daily uniform and grooming standards. 4.c. Custom Reports. The data entered by local commands via MCTIMS /UD/MIPS will be compiled into a custom report that can be obtained by HQMC, IDC/MO, and commands. This data will be used for historical tracking, analysis, and reporting to the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW). 4.d. Commands shall conduct regular internal audits of members' records via Marine Online (MOL) or MCTIMS, verifying that all codes are entered accurately and kept current. 4.e. Requests to obtain access to the custom report can be submitted to Manpower Custom Reports via the following website: https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/reports/reports.action. 5. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force and Navy personnel serving with Marine Corps units. 6. For questions pertaining to reporting requirements, contact the offices identified on the POC line. 7. Released authorized by Lieutenant General William J. Bowers, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.