Canadian Soldiers Directed to Trim Beards and Tie Back Hair in Updated Dress Code
“Hair extending below the lower portion of the shirt collar must be tied back away from the face,” states an update from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). “Facial hair is to be no more than 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length/bulk for any style.”
In a bid to be less restrictive and attract more recruits, Canada’s military relaxed its dress code in 2022, allowing everything from artificial nails to face tattoos and colored hair. All styles of facial hair and sideburns were permitted, including dyed and braided beards, while hair could be any length if it didn’t cover the face and was tied back if longer than shoulder-length.
Canadian soldiers drew attention at a prestigious international military skills competition in April, where several sported business-in-front and party-in-the-back hairstyles, finishing impressively in second place.
“The Canadians have embraced the mullet,” an American member of the gold-winning team told the British Forces Broadcasting Service. “We prefer a nice combed head of hair – clean cut – and that’s our secret sauce.”
Under the updated rules, hair volume should not interfere with wearing headwear or protective gear like helmets, while necessary hair accessories like elastics and bobby pins must be either black or a similar color to one’s hair – regardless of its color.
Canadian Armed Forces members were notified of the changes last week. The new dress code rules will take effect on July 2. Religious and spiritual accommodations remain permitted.
