Commenting on about how a shaving waiver was crucial to his career as an Airman and “an identifier of solidarity with other Black GIs,” 70 year-old veteran Ed Anderson tells NBC News that the recent removal of such carveouts for Black male Marines he doesn’t “see this as a productive and effective means of retaining and recruiting troops,” adding “It’s mostly soldiers of color who are impacted.”

Now, NBC’s reporting is a little fuzzy (pun intended) so best copy it verbatim: “A new US Marine Corps grooming policy that affects people with curly or coarse hair is drawing ire from critics who say it targets Black men. The guidance, issued in March, states that a diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae, or PFB, a skin condition more commonly known as razor bumps or ingrown hairs, could lead to a service member’s expulsion from the branch if the issue persists. The US Air Force also updated its guidance on PFB earlier this year, saying shaving waivers will expire 90 days after an airman’s next annual health assessment. But the requirements for those who may still qualify for a waiver remain unclear.” Which Ed Anderson says is just as yet another example of “ongoing attacks” on whatever white nationalist alcoholic Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says is “DEI” policy.

Dermatologists agree. “This is so targeted and intentional,” said North Carolina skin doctor Chris Adigun, adding PFB “can affect only the way hair follicles appear and does not affect the body systemically in any way.” An active duty military dermatologist, remaining anonymous for fear of purges, said the “readiness” argument Hegseth’s minions are pushing over a minor skin condition is bullshit, and has “nothing to do with readiness… On its face it’s a racist policy, because this is a condition that impacts African Americans and other people of color predominantly just by the nature of hair growth on the face,” the dermatologist said, adding it also “creates a huge administrative burden on a patient,” with paperwork and appointments to have their skin examined.