General told ‘woke’ dress code retreat improved troop morale

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The military’s decision to sound a partial retreat on its controversial dress policy that allowed for gender-neutral uniforms and long hair sparked a noticeable improvement in morale among troops, Canada’s top general has been told.

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The original September 2022 policy, brought in by then Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, faced significant pushback from veterans and soldiers who argued the Canadian Armed Forces had gone too “woke.”

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Traditional rules were abandoned as Eyre dumped all restrictions on hair length, allowed for coloured hair, face tattoos and long nails as well as gender-neutral uniforms.

But in July the military announced a partial reversal on the new policy, admitting the changes had gone too far.

Eyre’s successor, Gen. Jennie Carignan, was told in a briefing in late October that the backtrack had been widely applauded by the troops.

“The initial changes to the dress regulations introduced in Sep 2022 elicited mixed reactions from members regarding dress and deportment,” Carignan was told in an Oct. 29 briefing by Canadian Forces chaplains. “However, the recent amendment in Jul 2024 has successfully mitigated some of the initial concerns, resulting in a noticeable improvement in morale, as observed and reported by chaplains at the tactical level.”

The briefing, which outlines a summary of assessments by military chaplains about the current welfare of the Canadian Armed Forces, was obtained by the Ottawa Citizen.

The period covered by the assessments was from April to September 2024.

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The July amendments reintroduced restrictions on facial hair and included more specific rules on hair length and appearance. The dress of military personnel was to be reflective of the profession of arms and tradition associated with service in the Canadian Forces, while maintaining military core values and ethics, the new directive said.

The chaplains told Carignan that the response to ongoing cultural changes within the Canadian Armed Forces has been varied. Chaplains noted they observed generally positive attitudes toward initiatives promoting inclusion, diversity, and mutual respect.

“However, some members have expressed fatigue regarding the CAF’s ongoing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the report pointed out. “They argue that the organization should concentrate more on its core values: respecting the dignity of all individuals, prioritizing service to Canada, and upholding lawful authority. While there remains an openness to cultural transformation, some feel that the emphasis has shifted too heavily from essential military skills training to the implementation of these changes.”

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Some military personnel also expressed skepticism about whether substantial progress in culture change had been made, according to the briefing. “Concerns have been raised about the potential lowering of standards and the diminishing of the traditional ‘warrior culture’, ” the chaplains noted.

In announcing the July amendments, the Canadian Forces leadership stated that while the original changes enacted in 2022 had many positive effects, there was what it called an “inconsistent interpretation and application.”

In some cases, military personnel went too far with unkempt long hair and beards.

“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.”

Eyre faced significant online backlash after announcing the 2022 dress and deportment rules. Comments on his official government account on the social media platform X were subsequently shut down because of criticism.

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But Eyre hit back at his critics, including veterans and serving soldiers, during his retirement speech in Ottawa on July 18. He claimed those questioning diversity policies as well as the appointment of Carignan, the first female general to lead the Canadian Forces, were aiding Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Even if they don’t see themselves consciously aligned with hostile states their ends are the same: They are Putin’s useful idiots,” Eyre said of military personnel and members of the public who questioned his policies.

Eyre provided no evidence that those former Canadian military personnel or others who objected to the military’s diversity changes were linked to Russia.

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: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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