Canadian military cracking down on long beards and unkempt hair

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The Canadian military is making some changes to its controversial dress policy issued almost two years ago and is now regulating the length of hair among the troops.

It is also providing leaders with picture examples of what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to hair styles, according to a training manual leaked to this newspaper.

Senior military leaders approved a new dress policy in September 2022 which dumped all restrictions on hair length, allowed for coloured hair, face tattoos and long nails as well as gender-neutral uniforms.

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The changes, brought in by Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, were welcomed by some and denounced by others in the military. Eyre faced much criticism for what his critics saw was an attempt to bring a “woke” agenda to the Canadian Forces.

But now changes are being made to the policy after some military personnel went too far with unkempt long hair and beards, defence sources said.

“It was decided that these changes would need to be reviewed 12 to 18 months after they came into effect to ensure they reflect the following guiding principles: CAF members’ appearance and dress shall be safe, operationally effective, inclusive, and reflective of the profession of arms and tradition associated with service in the CAF, while maintaining our core values and ethics,” noted a new dress policy training package for military leaders.

The training manual contains imagery of what is and is not allowed. Facial hair is now being restricted to a maximum length/bulk of 2.5 centimeters and accessories to facial hair are not authorized, according to the document. Hair must be tied back away from the face and off the collar and accessories to tie hair should be black, or similar to the member’s hair colour.

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“CAF personnel wearing military uniform and civilian clothes on military installations and in military groups or settings shall dress and comport themselves at all times as befits members of a professional, respectful, disciplined, cohesive force,” the training package noted.

The document pointed to a revision in how the rules should be interpreted. “As a prime Canadian institution, the CAF is to be consistent with akin Canadian institutions of similar mandate while embracing culture evolution,” it added.

It also provides military leaders with definitions of what is neat and tidy. Neat; is defined as “set in an orderly condition,” according to the training manual. Tidy; is defined as “methodically arranged and controlled, not messy.”

In a posting on the Canadian Forces website, it was announced that the changes come into effect on July 2.

The Canadian Forces noted that while the changes have had many positive effects, there has been what it calls an “inconsistent interpretation and application.”

“What got lost in translation is what we, who choose to serve, represent when we wear the CAF uniform,” Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann noted on the military’s website. “We do not represent just our individual selves but everyone who wore this uniform and fought before us so that we can enjoy the freedoms and way of life we get to enjoy today.”

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Military personnel can still colour their hair under the revised regulations.

When the new rules were brought in two years ago, Eyre said they represented a big step forward in the military’s efforts to enhance inclusiveness.

“Uniformity does not equal discipline, or operational effectiveness, any more than the colour or length of your hair defines your commitment or professional competence,” Eyre noted in a social media post at the time.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here:

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