Beards worn in uniform, the new normal?
 

I live near 4 Wing Cold Lake and see quite a few military personnel in and out of uniform regularly. What I'm shocked at is the amount of beards you see lately; I'd venture to guess about 50% of men I see in uniform have them. And the worst part is they range from scrubby, patchy things to full on bushy ones. For those that live/work on or around other bases in Canada, is this the new normal?

I'm not sure how long Canadian troops have been clean shaven (100+ years at least) but used to be you weren't allowed having a beard unless you we're Navy, in a Pioneer Platoon for Infantry, or had a medical chit.

Yes, all CAF members can now sport the "operator" look.

The change in the Policy has been brought around to try and help recruitment into the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). A large amount of the CAF have embraced this new policy but there are regulations that still have to be followed. I do agree there are more then a few members that can't grow a beard and should be clean shaven.

https://www.cmfmag.ca/duty_calls/caf...s-beardforgen/

I suspect it will be like a kid with cookies....you are told for years that you have to stay out of the cookies. When you become an adult, you can have all the cookies you want. But it loses it's novelty.



While the beard does save the daily shaving ritual, it is still going to be one more thing to look after. I suspect the novelty will wear off and we'll see the numbers come down to more in norm with Cdn society.



As for the scrubby beards, at least once a year, guys will have to qualify the gas hut, at which time the beards will have to be gone. So you will be in an annual re-grow period, where the guys will look a little scrubby.



Personally, when I retired form the CF, I didn't really feel the need to shave until about Sundays, when the neck hair started bothering me. I did always keep a somewhat military haircut though, having been conditioned to not like the long hair.

3-Day Beards in CF
 

I thought that it was a ploy to have everyone look like they are with 5 Brigade.

Afgan deployment?

Nope, BEARDFORGEN.

Speeling counts! BEARDFORGEN

And yes there is a one month growth period. After 30 days, the soldiers have to report to the RSM who will inspect and either approve or reject the man's efforts.

I was at RMC Kingston last week, and noted many CDN officers with beards of varying density.

Even one of the pipers who entertained us at dinner had one but not, fortunately, the female drummer!

Mike

I do not believe the Canforgen was gender specific....she probably would be allowed.

And thanks for the spellchecking.

Rob,

The mind boggles!

Mike

Four significant changes to the norm:

BEARDFORGEN - Navy beards across the Army.

BOOTFORGEN - a defacto admission that the CAF can't specify, contract, stock or issue enough boots to the troops, and is giving every soldier $$ (on a scale) to buy their own boots.

WEEDFORGEN - The Cannabis Act is applicable to all Canadian citizens, troops included. "Eight hours joint to job." for most situations.

PATCHFORGEN - After deciding which %'ge of Velcro real estate would be used for the national flag, Level 2 and 3 patches, what could be worn on the remaining 2" tall strip on the right sleeve. Of course only CANEX products may be worn.

Interesting times to be in the Forces Terry .The pendulum swung the full course during my carear .

Current CF
 

Good to hear that the four main tenants of CF service are being looked after.

Note, there is an alternate name for WEEDFORGEN - namely DOPEFORGEN.

Not to be mistaken for the Senior Appointments list.

I'm almost sorry I asked a question I was hoping would be answered differently. IDK about all this change to appease a minority group. I guess I'm too old (read accept) to understand such things :giveup

Who needs dress, decorum and sameness, it's not like it's the military or something :doh:

When faced with a situation like this where you can either cry or try to laugh, why not laugh as much as possible....
It does seem to go against the meaning of the word "uniform", as in uniformity, all similar.

You are indeed looking at the beard issue from an old perspective. The CF is about 3-4,000 pers short, despite pledges to increase the effective strength. Recruiting numbers are sort-of keeping up but not nearly enough to fill the gaps. In theory, annoying a guy who wants to grow a beard by ordering him to be clean shaven, could be another reason why he quits after his first contract.

The CDS recently admitted the Forces is looking at recruits the wrong way. We have an ideal based on physical attributes. It took me a moment to reflect that yes, observers (spectators) want to see three-ranks, tall on the ends, short in the middle, of uniformed personnel all looking alike. Well, things have to be done differently if the CF is going to get larger.

All good points gentlemen and I best get with the times!

With the demise of pensions and recession proof jobs, I find it hard to believe recruiting could be that short; especially when you know of people who are still waiting for their call. And I think the pay and benefits are getting more in line with civi street too. Without sounding disrespectful, when I was in it seemed that the East Coast provinces and Quebec could man the military from their own populations alone due to local economic shortfalls. Maybe I'll join the reserves to get an idea of what is happening these days. Besides, I'd love to do some shopping on the vehicles in the bombing range!

I often wonder where the CF is when it comes to recruiting numbers.
My nephew has jumped through hoops to join, yet has been given the run around for one reason or the other. at the end of the day he'd be happy to be an infantryman yet it seems that a grade 12 diploma is not enough. apparently his aptitude test wasn't suitable yet he's a pretty smart kid. not sure what give but if this is typical of CF guidelines it's no wonder why kids walk. BTW, even with the economic downturn he managed to move from Ontario to Alberta and find decent employment in no time making good money.
When I tried to join in the late 80s, I failed the BMI by a couple pounds, finally made it then got rejected on eyesight. I too walked away yet always yearned to be all that I could be and would have probably been a lifer at that...

The forces learned years ago that they were losing good, qualified recruits due to their own mismanagement of files and slow decision making. A recruit is not going to wait a year and a half for the call...he will find something else in the meantime.



It's actually good preparation for when/if they do finally get in. Lost files, missing pay cheques, last minute changes, on the bus/off the bus, slow decision making, and these days, the inane attempts at political correctness.



There is no life like it. I did 25 years, and would do it again if I could, but you have to take a lot of days with a grain of salt.