R 131600Z MAR 25 MARADMIN 124/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//  SUBJ/UNIFORM AND GROOMING STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS//  REF/A/MSGID/MSG/R211430ZJAN22//  REF/B/MSGID/DOC/MCUB/MCO 1020.34H/01MAY2018//  REF/C/MSGID/DOC/MP/MCO 6310.1C/09OCT2012//  NARR/REF A IS MARADMIN 019/22/REF B IS MCO 1020.34H/REF C IS MCO  6310.1C//  POC/MPO/EMAIL: [email protected]/TEL:  703-784-9371/9372/  GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  This MARADMIN provides interim  guidance and announces upcoming policy changes regarding exceptions to policy (ETP) for uniform and grooming standards based on a  medical condition.  The strength of the Marine Corps has always been its people.  Ensuring the health, resilience, and discipline  of our Marines and Sailors is essential to sustaining our  warfighting capability and maintaining the high standards required to remain ready for any challenge.  These standards ensure we remain the world’s premier fighting force, ready to fight and win with  unwavering readiness, discipline, and lethality.    2.  Background.  All personnel authorized to wear the Marine Corps uniform must comply with Marine Corps uniform and grooming standards per reference (b).  Medical conditions may necessitate temporary  modifications.  Examples include a Service member recovering from surgery requiring a brace or sling, a Service member diagnosed with Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) or other facial skin conditions/ wounds needing to temporarily refrain from clean-shaving, or an  injured Service member requiring alternative footwear.    3.  Immediate Action:    3.a.  Military Medical Officers (MO): When a medical procedure or condition necessitates modifying a Service member’s uniform or  grooming standards, as defined by reference (b), the MO will provide a written waiver recommendation for the specific modification(s).  3.b.  Commanding Officers (CO): COs will review the MO's  recommendations and, in consultation with the MO, approve or  disapprove the ETP.  3.c.  Service members with approved ETPs: Affected personnel must retain and readily produce a copy of their approved ETP whenever deviating from the standards outlined in reference (b). This ETP may be presented in either hard copy or digital format.  4. Amplifying Information on PFB.   4.a.  PFB is a medical condition that may require modified facial grooming, education, and treatment time.  This interim guidance  reaffirms existing treatment plans and clarifies commanders' responsibilities in supporting those protocols, with the ultimate goal of returning Service members to grooming standards and ensuring maximum warfighting readiness.  4.b.  Interim Guidance for Facial Grooming Modifications:  4.b.1. PFB has a four-phase treatment approach outlined in detail in reference (c).  During these phases, a MO may recommend modifying grooming standards and endorse the use of clippers.  The following is a summary of each phase:  4.b.1.a.  Phase I, Control of mild cases:  Avoid shaving for up to 4 weeks until all lesions have subsided while undergoing medical treatment.  4.b.1.b.  Phase II, Control of moderate to severe cases or those cases unresponsive to Phase I:  Avoid shaving for up to 8 weeks if initially starting Phase II or up to an additional 4 weeks if continuing from Phase I, with hair removal by depilatory treatment according to treatment plan.  4.b.1.c.  Phase III, Cases Unresponsive to Phase II Treatment: Continue Phase II protocols for up to an additional 4 weeks;  the MO may then recommend continued treatment based on the patient's response and, if necessary, a further period of modified grooming standards.  4.b.1.d.  Phase IV (Optional), Control of cases unresponsive to Phase III or recurring frequently: Referral to dermatology for possible laser treatment. This treatment is government-funded,  but a Service member is not required to undergo laser treatment.   4.b.2. Medical Evaluations: As with other medical conditions  requiring modified uniform and or grooming standards, MOs will  recommend, and COs will approve or disapprove the modification.   This change replaces the previous guidance in reference (a).  4.b.3. Documentation:  When modified facial grooming standards are authorized, NAVMC 11830(02-25) will be used to document the ETP. The new NAVMC aims to improve communication between the member,  medical providers, and command teams throughout the four-phase  treatment plan.  4.b.4. Command Monitoring: COs with Service members diagnosed  with PFB must actively monitor the four-phase treatment plan,  as outlined in reference (c), to assist the Service member in  returning to compliance as defined in reference (b).    5.  Administration.   5.a. NAVMC Form 11830 (02-25).  This form is not yet available through standard channel at forms.documentservices.dla.mil.   In the interim, download the draft form from the Manpower &  Reserve Affairs, Manpower Plans & Policy Division, Manpower  Military Policy Branch (MPO) website at https:(slash)(slash) www.manpower.marines.mil/Plans-and-Policies/Manpower-Plans-and- Policy/Manpower-Military-Policy-MPO/Uniform-Grooming-Mods-Related -to-Medical-Conditions/.   5.b. Administrative Separation.  Marines needing a uniform or  grooming ETP based on a medical condition for over one year  may be considered for administrative separation due to  incompatibility with Service.    6.  Coordinating Instructions:  6.a.  Within 90 days of this MARADMIN's release, all Service members with a current PFB diagnosis must be re-evaluated by a Medical  Officer.  Re-evaluation will assess the Service member's current  treatment protocol and determine the need for further treatment. If the MO determines that the Service member's condition warrants an ETP, the MO will use the revised NAVMC to facilitate  communication between the Service member, medical, and COs.  6.b.  Effective immediately, this MARADMIN supersedes reference (a) and aligns the treatment of PFB with all other medical  conditions impacting modifications to uniform and/or grooming  standards.  7.  The changes in this MARADMIN will be incorporated into a  forthcoming Marine Corps Order.  8. This message applies to the Marine Corps Total Force.  9. Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly,  Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division.//