Canadian Armed Forces tighten previously relaxed grooming standards

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New dress instructions for Canadian Armed Forces members go into effect today, reversing an overhaul that was implemented in 2022.

The changes revert many of the September 2022 updates which were intended to be “inclusive and less prohibitive” and to allow CAF members “increased freedom to make personal choices regarding their appearance.”

The CAF said the “inconsistent interpretation and application” of the 2022 updates led to the dress instructions being revised once again.

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Under the new rules, CAF members are required to tie back hair that extends below the lower portion of the shirt collar, hair accessories such as bobby pins and barrettes, must be black or match the hair colour and facial hair is now limited to 2.5 cm in length.

The revised grooming standards will include specific language and illustrations to clarify expectations.

All CAF members are expected to comply with the new guidelines and non-compliance may result in disciplinary action or administrative measures.

Accommodations will be made for religious or cultural dress requirements and will be recorded in personnel files to avoid the need for repeated requests.

There are no restrictions on hair length, though the volume of hair must allow the headdress and protective equipment to be worn properly, and for the face to be visible.

Coloured hair, including facial hair, is permitted and all facial hair, regardless of style, must be a maximum of 2.5 cm in length or bulk and kept neatly groomed and symmetrical in style.

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Face tattoos are allowed as long as they are not linked to criminal activities, hatred, violence, discrimination, harassment, or any form of prejudice, and do not contain sexually explicit material.

The 2022 changes, which relaxed the standards and were introduced alongside new gender neutral uniforms, were not universally welcomed by CAF members according to an internal Department of National Defence (DND) study obtained by CBC.

“A large proportion of the CAF population does not agree with the changes to the CAF dress policy, despite chain of command and peer support, and this lack of agreement is associated with lower confidence in leadership,” the survey reportedly said.

Additionally, it found that the majority of respondents (44 per cent) disagreed with the changes, while 33 per cent supported them. It also found that 54 per cent felt the relaxed rules did not align with the military’s desired identity.

The majority of resistance came from the army, while the navy and air force were more accepting. Non-commissioned members, who enforce the rules daily, were among the loudest critics of the relaxed rules.

However, members with a minority sexual orientation and visible minorities endorsed the changes, with 68 per cent reporting they were beneficial and made them proud to serve.

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