Beards, fake tan and nail polish all allowed as Defences Forces brings in shake-up of the rules
MEMBERS of the Defence Forces will be able to wear fake tan, nail polish and grow beards under new regulations kicking in from today.
However, those wishing to have facial hair have been warned its length will be “monitored”, while females must wear their locks in one of six different approved styles.
The move is part of attempts to bring military regulations here in line with those of other European states, who have already amended their rules.
It also comes after the Commission on the Defence Forces recommended “outdated” bans should be abolished two years ago.
But army chiefs have warned that appearances will still be subject to close supervision to ensure that “nothing should detract from the uniform”.
Permission to grow a beard must first be obtained from a commanding officer, or a medical officer if the member is excused shaving due to a skin condition.
Hair can be no more than 13mm long and it must start one inch above the Adam’s apple and form a straight line below the cheekbone.
Personnel still in training must remain clean shaven.
Meanwhile, women using nail varnish must use a range running from nude to baby pink.
Sergeant Major Keith Caffrey, who is in charge of reviewing grooming standards, said: “They will apply to their unit commander and there are specific reasons to not approve it, particularly in the operational environment.
“But people can apply and they will be inspected throughout the period they are growing the beard – because some people just can’t
There are specific operational reasons to not approve it SERGEANT MAJOR KEITH CAFFREY
grow a beard.”
He told RTE: “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.”
Strengthened regulations on tattoos will ban “anything that depicts extremism, sexism or racism or anything that promotes substance abuse tattooed on to your body”.