Muslim World Report

Pentagon's Makeup Studios: A Vanity Crisis in Military Culture

Dr. Anthony Lindsay | Apr 26, 2025 11:45 AM | 7 min read | 1473 words

TL;DR: The Pentagon’s introduction of makeup studios for high-ranking officials symbolizes a troubling cultural shift that prioritizes appearance over accountability. This trend detracts from vital military issues and symbolizes a broader societal obsession with superficiality, particularly regarding gender equity.

The New Warrior Culture: Makeup and Misogyny in the Pentagon

In an era where political theater often eclipses substantive discussion, recent revelations about the Pentagon installing personal makeup studios for high-ranking officials evoke a mixture of incredulity and anger. This troubling trend, emblematic of a broader obsession with superficiality, raises eyebrows and obscures the real issues plaguing our national security apparatus—a reflection of a culture along the civil-military gap that prioritizes aesthetic over accountability (Kohn, 2009; Rahbek-Clemmensen et al., 2012).

The Question of Priorities

One must ask: why is there a need for makeup rooms in a place designed for strategic military planning?

  • The optics of “war fighters” enhancing their appearances with makeup and hair stylists while the world burns is a stark reminder of misplaced priorities.
  • It begs the question: will there also be fully stocked bars to maintain the bravado of these so-called warriors?
  • The absurdity is unmistakable—the military should be focused on defending the nation, not on primping its generals.

This fixation on appearance among national politicians—from the bronzer-smeared President to the eyeliner-wearing officials—feels less like a personal choice and more like part of a disturbing trend that distracts from pressing issues. A recent backlash against Ron DeSantis for wearing flamboyant footwear seems trivial compared to a Pentagon that prioritizes aesthetics over accountability.

What If Scenarios: The Cultural Backlash

Imagine if a female official were to request similar accommodations for makeup or beauty treatments. Would the backlash be as swift and merciless? Consider these scenarios:

  • What if a high-ranking female general advocated for an entire floor dedicated to personal grooming?
  • The media frenzy would likely be intense, exposing the hypocrisy at play in a system that often marginalizes women’s contributions and voices (Dull & West, 1991).

The double standards are glaring. Female officials navigate a landscape where their appearance can overshadow their capabilities, while male counterparts often escape scrutiny.

Moreover, consider a “what if” scenario where the Pentagon instead invested in mental health resources or equipment for soldiers rather than makeup rooms. This shift could potentially foster a culture of accountability and support, rather than one steeped in superficiality.

Gender Equity and the Culture of Aesthetics

The obsession with appearance is intricately intertwined with a broader cultural narrative that seeks to undermine critical discourse, particularly around gender equity and power dynamics. Figures like Elon Musk, who advocate for a “breeder cult,” perpetuate harmful myths about declining birth rates that frame them as a failure of masculinity rather than reflecting the social transformations stemming from women’s empowerment over reproductive health choices (Kasser & Ryan, 1993).

What If: Reconceptualizing Gender Roles

What if, instead of focusing on aesthetics linked to fertility and masculinity, we redirected efforts towards understanding how these narratives have been constructed? If society acknowledged the multifaceted reasons for declining birth rates—such as greater access to education and career opportunities for women—how might that shift the conversation surrounding gender roles?

This reframing could lead to a more holistic understanding of relationships, responsibilities, and the dynamics of contemporary life. The notion that fertility rates are merely biological issues ignores the extensive socio-economic factors at play (Merchant, 1981; Agyeman et al., 2002).

Environmental and Socioeconomic Considerations

Additionally, claims regarding declining sperm counts often overlook vital environmental considerations. The discourse around testosterone levels and fertility is frequently distorted, as seen in the ramblings of individuals like RFK Jr., who fail to appreciate the complexity of declining birth rates as an intersection of social, environmental, and economic issues (Brown et al., 2012).

To conflate sperm counts with birth rates is to shift the conversation away from urgent environmental and economic crises that demand our attention.

What If: Environmental Awareness

What if people, especially in influential positions, began to advocate for understanding the environmental factors affecting reproduction? Imagine if the narrative shifted towards tackling pollution, access to clean air and water, and other environmental health concerns. This change could open up dialogues that illuminate the real crises affecting not just human reproduction but society at large.

The current administration’s fixation on testosterone, much like a misguided drunken uncle at a family gathering, distracts from the real crises we face: rampant environmental degradation, economic instability, and the erosion of democratic norms (Volpi, 2006). As we observe the military embrace a culture of vanity and superficiality, we must challenge this trend—not only out of concern for gender equity but for the sake of our national integrity and the well-being of society as a whole.

The Role of the Military in Society

Ultimately, the fixation on makeup and image within the Pentagon serves as a symptom of a deeper malaise afflicting our political landscape. It signals a troubling shift towards a culture that prioritizes style over substance, diverting attention from the real issues that demand our focus.

Moreover, it reflects how the military, a traditionally stoic institution, is adopting a form of cultural performance that is more about optics than effectiveness.

What If: Military Transformation

What if the military were to embrace a transformation toward accountability and substantive action? Imagine a military that prioritizes training and support for its personnel over appearances. This shift could initiate a new kind of military culture:

  • One that values not just readiness and effectiveness.
  • One that also emphasizes the mental health and well-being of its soldiers.

Such a culture could redefine what strength looks like in a contemporary context, moving away from archaic notions of masculinity and dominance.

The current military culture’s embrace of vanity must be critiqued, as it communicates misleading and harmful messages about gender roles. The military needs to reckon with how these aesthetic choices can reinforce stereotypes, which may stymie true progress toward equality and effectiveness.

Confronting Superficiality

As we continue to grapple with these challenges, let us remember that true strength lies not in appearances but in the courage to confront uncomfortable truths (Merchant, 1981; Agyeman et al., 2016). Challenging these narratives is essential for creating a more equitable society—one that recognizes that real progress cannot be achieved through superficial measures.

Engaging critically with the fixation on image, especially within institutions wielding significant power like the military, can lead to transformative changes. This involves a dialogue about what it means to serve—not just in the military, but in society at large—where contributions are measured not by how individuals look but by the substance of their actions and the impact they have.

Conclusion

The intersection of aesthetics, gender, and military culture is a critical space for ongoing dialogue and critique. From understanding the implications of makeup studios in the Pentagon to addressing broader sociopolitical narratives, it is crucial for both men and women in positions of power to navigate their roles with an awareness of how their actions shape public perception and discourse. By confronting these issues, we pave the way for a future where equality and effectiveness are prioritized over superficiality.

References

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  • Agyeman, J., Schlosberg, D., Craven, L., & Matthews, C. (2016). Trends and Directions in Environmental Justice: From Inequity to Everyday Life, Community, and Just Sustainabilities. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 41(1), 321-340. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-110615-090052
  • Brown, G. D., Denning, D. W., Gow, N. A. R., Levitz, S. M., Netea, M. G., & White, T. C. (2012). Hidden Killers: Human Fungal Infections. Science Translational Medicine, 4(165), 165rv13. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3004404
  • Dull, D., & West, C. (1991). Accounting for Cosmetic Surgery: The Accomplishment of Gender. Social Problems, 38(2), 173–189. https://doi.org/10.2307/800638
  • Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1993). A dark side of the American dream: Correlates of financial success as a central life aspiration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(2), 410-422. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.65.2.410
  • Kohn, R. H. (2009). The Danger of Militarization in an Endless “War” on Terrorism. The Journal of Military History, 73(1), 19-46. https://doi.org/10.1353/jmh.0.0216
  • Merchant, C. (1981). Earthcare: Women and the Environment. Environment Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 23(1), 17-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1981.9933143
  • Rahbek-Clemmensen, J., Archer, E. M., Barr, J., Belkin, A., Guerrero, M., Hall, M., & Swain, K. E. O. (2012). Conceptualizing the Civil–Military Gap. Armed Forces & Society, 38(4), 661-682. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327x12456509
  • Volpi, F. (2006). Introduction: Strategies for Regional Cooperation in the Mediterranean: Rethinking the Parameters of the Debate. Mediterranean Politics, 11(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629390600682842
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