Fake tan...and beards? You’re in the Army now

WOMEN in the Defence Forces will be allowed to wear nail varnish and fake tan while men can have beards – but they will be ‘monitored’ while it grows.

Under the new, more inclusive rules to come into effect today, women can also have up to six different hairstyles.

Sergeant Major Keith Caffrey – who is tasked with reviewing grooming standards – said the Defence Forces are making efforts to be progressive while also keeping health and safety and operational effectiveness in mind.

The move follows An Garda Síochána’s decision to allow members to grow beards. Previously women in the Defence Forces could only have short hair, or wear their hair secured in a bun with a net. Now, they will be allowed bobs, ponytails, double ponytails and in specific circumstances, for religious and cultural beliefs, cornrows.

When it comes to nail varnish, women soldiers will have to follow a clear colour palette largely made up of ‘neutral’ colours, Sgt Major Caffrey told Newstalk. The number of earrings that are permitted is also increasing to three.

‘Some people may say it is restrictive,’ he said. ‘It is to compliment the uniform. We are all proud to wear the uniform and we don’t want to do anything that detracts from it.’

He told RTÉ News that under the new changes, men can apply for permission to grow a beard. ‘They will apply to their unit commander and there are specific reasons to not approve it, particularly in the operational environment,’ he said. ‘But people can apply and they will be inspected throughout the period they are growing the beard – because some people just can’t grow a beard. And there are regulations in relation to the length of the beard, straight lines under the cheekbones and an inch above the Adam’s apple.’

He said the changes are largely for ‘routine’ taskings – with different rules in place for ‘operational’ and ‘training’ taskings. ‘There are different occasions of how you will wear your hair or have a beard for instance,’ he said. ‘If you are in an operational area where there is a chemical threat, you will have to shave because your respirator won’t operate because it doesn’t give you 100% seal.’

Sgt Major Caffrey said there are also regulations in relation to tattoos, with a ban on racism, sexism, or anything that depicts substance abuse.

He said it is hoped the new measures will have a positive impact on people considering a career in the Defence Forces. ‘This is about respecting the individual. Allowing them to be themselves but at the same time, regulating to be a military force,’ he said.

The new rules will be sent to all Defence Forces members, and graphics outlining the rules are being posted at military bases.

‘In operational area, you’ll have to shave’