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Beard Medical Accommodations Now Have Mandatory Tracking Codes

MARADMIN 348/26·July 31, 2026·2 min read·Official source
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The Marine Corps has updated how commands must track medical accommodations from grooming standards, specifically beard/shaving waivers. As of MARADMIN 348/26, COs are required to log all approved and pending facial hair accommodations using five new event codes in MCTIMS or UD/MIPS. This isn't a policy change on who qualifies. It's a reporting and accountability requirement layered on top of the existing interim policy.

Heads up: Commands have 14 days from release of this MARADMIN to have initial data validated by HQMC MPO. If your unit has Marines on shaving accommodations right now, those records need to be entered immediately.

Who it affects

All Marine Corps Total Force units, including SMCR and IMA commands, plus Navy personnel attached to Marine Corps units. The action falls on COs and admin shops, but SNCOs running Marines with active or pending accommodations should know this process cold.

What you need to do

For admin and S-1 personnel: Enter the appropriate codes in MCTIMS or UD/MIPS for every Marine with a current or pending facial hair medical accommodation. Use these codes:

CodeWhat it marks
U1Medical Accommodation Pending Date (IDC/MO recommended, CO approval pending)
U2Medical Accommodation Start Date (CO approves; use a new U2 only after a U4 has been reported for a prior accommodation)
U36-Month Admin Counseling Date (no earlier than 24 April 2026 per MARADMIN 192/26)
U4Medical Accommodation End Date (resolved early or officially terminated)
U5Admin Extension (AE) Date (DC, M&RA-approved extension beyond 12 months)

For COs: The accommodation is still documented on NAVMC 11830 (03-25)(EF). That does not change. The codes are how you report it up the chain.

If a Marine is approaching 12 months: Request an administrative extension before the clock runs out. Route the package (NAVMC 10274, IDC/MO recommendation, justification, and expected resolution timeline) through the first Marine General Officer in the chain to MPO via SharePoint at https://usmc.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/dcmra_mra_mp_mpo/lists/Ask%20MPO/Main%20View.aspx. Submit at least 30 days before the expiration date.

For the Marine on accommodation: Carry your approved NAVMC 11830 on your person during any period of authorized no-shave. Present it when asked.

For commands wanting access to the custom tracking report: Submit a request through https://www2.manpower.usmc.mil/reports/reports.action.

Key dates

  • Effective immediately (date of MARADMIN release): All codes must be entered in MCTIMS/UD/MIPS.
  • Within 14 days of release: HQMC MPO will pull the custom report to validate submissions from the July 2026 initial data call. Commands with errors will be contacted.
  • U3 counseling: No earlier than 24 April 2026 (6 months from initial approval date per MARADMIN 192/26).
  • Extension requests: Must be submitted 30 days before a Marine's 12-month accommodation expiration.

The official version

MARADMIN 348/26 is the source document. It references MARADMIN 124/25 and MARADMIN 192/26 as the underlying policy. Questions on reporting go to SMB_HQMC_MPO@USMC.mil. MCTIMS/UD/MIPS access issues go to mrahelpdesk@usmc.mil.

This is written by a reservist, for reservists. It is not an official publication of HQMC or MARFORRES. Always verify guidance with your command or unit S-1 before acting on any article or summary.

Resources & references

The documents this bulletin points to, with a plain-English note on why each matters. Links marked CAC required need a government login.

  • MARADMIN 124/25 - Uniform and Grooming Standards for Medical Conditions (Ref A)MARADMIN

    This is the original interim policy establishing how service members can receive accommodations to uniform and grooming standards due to medical conditions. It is the foundational document this MARADMIN builds upon.

  • MARADMIN 192/26 - Change 1 to MARADMIN 124/25, Uniform and Grooming Standards for Medical Conditions (Ref B)MARADMIN

    This is the first change to the original grooming accommodations policy, including updated administrative counseling and documentation requirements that COs must follow. This MARADMIN references its guidance directly for reporting timelines.

  • Secretary of War Memorandum - Grooming Standards for Facial Hair (Ref C)Reference

    This is an OSD-level memorandum establishing grooming standards policy for facial hair across the services. It is part of the higher-authority chain that drives the reporting requirements in this MARADMIN.

  • Secretary of War Memorandum - Grooming Standards for Facial Hair Implementation (Ref D)Reference

    This memorandum addresses implementation of the facial hair grooming standards directed by the Secretary of War. It is part of the policy chain that this MARADMIN is executing.

  • Secretary of the Navy Memorandum - Department of the Navy Implementation of Grooming Standards for Facial Hair (Ref E)Reference

    This SECNAV-level memorandum translates the higher OSD grooming standards direction into Department of the Navy policy. It is part of the authority chain behind the reporting requirements in this MARADMIN.

  • Assistant Secretary of War Memorandum - Grooming Standards Accommodations Reporting (Ref F)Reference

    This memorandum specifically directs the services to track and report individual-level medical accommodations from grooming standards. It is one of the two key documents that trigger the new reporting requirements announced in this MARADMIN.

  • Assistant Secretary of the Navy Memorandum - Additional Direction on DON Implementation of Grooming Standards for Facial Hair (Ref G)Reference

    This ASN memorandum provides additional Navy-specific direction on implementing facial hair grooming standards and tracking accommodations. Along with Ref F, it is a direct driver of the new MCTIMS and UD/MIPS reporting codes in this MARADMIN.

  • NAVADMIN 162/26 - Facial Hair Grooming Standards Update (Ref H)Reference

    This is the Navy's parallel message to this MARADMIN addressing facial hair grooming standards. Reservists serving in joint or Navy-adjacent billets may need to be aware of how Navy policy aligns with Marine Corps requirements.

  • This is the official portal where commands submit requests for administrative extensions beyond the 12-month medical accommodation limit. COs must route extension requests through this site at least 30 days before a service member's accommodation expires.

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Beard Medical Accommodations Now Have Mandatory Tracking Codes — Reservable