The IDF’s Discipline and Order Branch has released a comprehensive update to its guidelines regarding appearance and dress for all personnel, reflecting current trends and societal shifts. These guidelines apply to everyone in the military, from active-duty soldiers to reservists, with specific new instructions regarding facial hair.
The revised facial hair policy permits any soldier to grow facial hair, including a beard or mustache, provided it is kept neat and appropriate for the military’s standards. A full beard can be grown from the jawbone to the chin, alongside a mustache, or alternatively, a goatee may be chosen. However, a faded or scraggly style will not be accepted. A soldier whose beard does not maintain the proper military look will lose the right to grow facial hair.
This change regarding facial hair is the most significant update in the new directives. Previously, only religious soldiers and a few others in special circumstances were granted permission to grow beards.
A servicemember who has their facial hair privileges revoked can appeal the decision to an officer with the rank of colonel or to the Discipline and Order Branch. Additionally, soldiers may submit a request to grow facial hair either when they enlist, during basic training, or at any point during their service.
Other updates include changes to the combat uniform guidelines. Combat soldiers now have the option to wear their tactical uniforms even outside their designated units and can also wear fleece or softshell jackets during the colder months. Career soldiers are now allowed to leave their base wearing their work uniforms, including coats that feature their unit insignia and the Israeli flag. Female soldiers can now wear two pairs of earrings, while unmarried men are permitted one ring. The regulations for nail polish will now allow a broader range of colors, excluding designs and sparkles.
Religious female soldiers are now permitted to wear black stockings and have a wider selection of approved headcovering colors. Reservists are restricted to wearing only work clothes, though they can wear dress uniforms with explicit permission.
Career soldiers are now allowed to wear boots with their service dress, even if they are not engaged in combat roles.
“We started this administrative work for two main reasons,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Yitzhak Hai, the head of the Discipline and Order Branch. “Strengthening the uniformity of the IDF servicemembers’ appearance, and at the same time, aligning the appearance guidelines with the current zeitgeist. All while the main goal before us is strengthening discipline in the ID.”
{Matzav.com Israel}