What are the rules on turbans in the CF?
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from CFP 265 (A-AD-265-000/AG-001)
When you are talking about turbans, you aren't just talking about turbans cause.... they come with the other accoutrements
10. Sikh Turban. Rank embellishment shall be sewn centred on turban ribbons, as follows:
a. flag/general officers – to be promulgated;
b. senior officers – gold nylon braid 2 cm (3/4 in.) wide;
c. junior officers – gold nylon braid 0.6 cm (1/4 in.) wide; and
d. officer cadets – no embellishment.
14. A CF member who is an adherent of the Sikh religion (Keshadharis) shall wear CF pattern uniforms and adhere to standard CF dress policy and instructions, with the following exceptions:
a. Hair and beard shall remain uncut, provided that the operational mission and safety is not jeopardized when it is required that the member wear occupational and operational equipment such as gas masks, oxygen masks, combat/vehicle/flying helmets, hard hats, scuba masks, etc. When a hazard clearly exists, the hair and/or beard shall be modified to the degree necessary for wearing the required equipment.
b. In addition to uncut hair, four other symbolic requirements of the Sikh religion are authorized for wear by both male and female members (see paragraph 16.), with all orders of dress. Should a conflict arise between the requirement to wear safety or operational items of clothing and equipment and these religious symbols, the manner and location of wearing these symbols shall be adjusted. Unit commanders retain the right to order the manner of this adjustment as necessary to meet valid safety and operational requirement.
c. A turban shall be worn by male members with ceremonial, mess, service and base dress. Turbans shall also be worn with occupational and operational dress, subject to the safety and operational considerations noted in sub-paragraph a., above. When engaged in combat operations, operational training or when serving with peacekeeping or multinational contingents, adherents of the Sikh religion shall, when deemed essential, cover their head with a patka or other customary clothing item (see paragraph 21.), over which they shall wear the headdress (including combat helmets) and other items of military equipment as ordered by the commanding officer.
15. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph 14, the turban worn by male members and authorized headdress worn by female members shall not be removed while wearing uniform. Similarly, when on duty wearing civilian clothing, a civilian turban and an appropriate civilian woman’s head covering shall not be removed. Specifically, such headdress shall not be removed:
a. on parade;
b. by a member of the bearer party at a military funeral;
c. during the administration of the Oath of Allegiance by an attesting officer;
d. when attending or being paraded as the accused before a trying officer at a summary trial or investigation;
e. when attending or being paraded as the accused before a court martial;
f. when entering a consecrated building;
g. when entering a mess, canteen or dining room; and
h. at formal or informal functions, when the removal of headdress might otherwise be considered appropriate.
16. Adherents of the Sikh religion shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph 14., observe the following five symbolic requirements:
a. Kesh – leave hair on the head, face and body uncut;
b. Kanga – wear a comb;
c. Kara – wear an iron bangle (bracelet);
d. Kacha – wear under-drawers of a specific design; and
e. Kirpan – wear a symbolic dagger with an overall length (including handle and sheath) not exceeding 23 cm (9 in.).
17. The colour of turbans (see also Chapter 6, Section 1) worn by male members shall be:
a. navy – white, or navy blue (black) when navy berets are ordered worn;
b. army – rifle green or other authorized colour;
c. air force – light blue;
d. field combat clothing – olive drab; and
e. full dress and undress – a colour which visually blends with the colour of the normal headdress. Full dress and undress items are noted in Chapter 5. Units shall obtain approval for adoption as noted in Chapter 2, Section 1, paragraphs 24. to 27., through normal channels, including branch advisers.
18. Crossed ribbons may be worn on the navy, army and air force turbans in accordance with branch/regimental customs as illustrated in Figure 2-3-1.
19. MPs shall wear two 3 cm (1-3/16 in. wide) scarlet ribbons.
20. The pug (see Figure 2-3-1) shall be the same colour as the turban.
21. Method of Wear. The following instructions are not intended to detail the method of styling and wearing hair on the head, of wearing the comb or of winding the turban. Instead they provide sufficient direction to ensure uniformity of dress amongst Sikh members. Accordingly, symbols and associated badges shall be worn as follows:
a. Turban. Worn in a low, Sikh conventional manner, with the final winding right over left on the forehead. If ribbons are worn, their lower edge shall be 2 cm (3/4 in.) from the lowest edge of the turban at the sides of the head, and crossed right over left at the centre of the forehead. The ribbons shall be secured on the turban by tucking their ends into the folds at the front and rear.
b. Cap Badge. Worn centred on the front of the turban and on the crossing point of any ribbons. The badge shall be locally modified to provide a brooch fastener to secure it to the cloth.
c. Patka. A traditional Sikh cloth headcovering worn when a turban is not suitable, such as under combat, flying or diving helmets, or during sports or strenuous physical activity (see Figure 2-3-1).
d. Kesh (Hair). Male members shall wear their hair tied in a knot at the crown of the head, and shall secure the hair of the beard under the chin, presenting a close-to-face, groomed appearance. Female members shall wear their hair styled in a bun at the rear of the head to facilitate the proper wearing of Standard CF headdress.
e. Kanga (Comb). Worn concealed in the hair.
f. Kara (Bangle or Bracelet). Worn on the right wrist.
g. Kirpan (Dagger). Shall remain sheathed, except for religious occasions and for cleaning purposes. The sheathed kirpan, worn under the outer shirt or jacket, shall be supported by a black cloth sling, slung from the right shoulder to the left side. Should the kirpan interfere with the wearing of uniform accoutrements or equipment, it may be slung from the left shoulder and worn on the right side.
When you are talking about turbans, you aren't just talking about turbans cause.... they come with the other accoutrements
10. Sikh Turban. Rank embellishment shall be sewn centred on turban ribbons, as follows:
a. flag/general officers – to be promulgated;
b. senior officers – gold nylon braid 2 cm (3/4 in.) wide;
c. junior officers – gold nylon braid 0.6 cm (1/4 in.) wide; and
d. officer cadets – no embellishment.
14. A CF member who is an adherent of the Sikh religion (Keshadharis) shall wear CF pattern uniforms and adhere to standard CF dress policy and instructions, with the following exceptions:
a. Hair and beard shall remain uncut, provided that the operational mission and safety is not jeopardized when it is required that the member wear occupational and operational equipment such as gas masks, oxygen masks, combat/vehicle/flying helmets, hard hats, scuba masks, etc. When a hazard clearly exists, the hair and/or beard shall be modified to the degree necessary for wearing the required equipment.
b. In addition to uncut hair, four other symbolic requirements of the Sikh religion are authorized for wear by both male and female members (see paragraph 16.), with all orders of dress. Should a conflict arise between the requirement to wear safety or operational items of clothing and equipment and these religious symbols, the manner and location of wearing these symbols shall be adjusted. Unit commanders retain the right to order the manner of this adjustment as necessary to meet valid safety and operational requirement.
c. A turban shall be worn by male members with ceremonial, mess, service and base dress. Turbans shall also be worn with occupational and operational dress, subject to the safety and operational considerations noted in sub-paragraph a., above. When engaged in combat operations, operational training or when serving with peacekeeping or multinational contingents, adherents of the Sikh religion shall, when deemed essential, cover their head with a patka or other customary clothing item (see paragraph 21.), over which they shall wear the headdress (including combat helmets) and other items of military equipment as ordered by the commanding officer.
15. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph 14, the turban worn by male members and authorized headdress worn by female members shall not be removed while wearing uniform. Similarly, when on duty wearing civilian clothing, a civilian turban and an appropriate civilian woman’s head covering shall not be removed. Specifically, such headdress shall not be removed:
a. on parade;
b. by a member of the bearer party at a military funeral;
c. during the administration of the Oath of Allegiance by an attesting officer;
d. when attending or being paraded as the accused before a trying officer at a summary trial or investigation;
e. when attending or being paraded as the accused before a court martial;
f. when entering a consecrated building;
g. when entering a mess, canteen or dining room; and
h. at formal or informal functions, when the removal of headdress might otherwise be considered appropriate.
16. Adherents of the Sikh religion shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph 14., observe the following five symbolic requirements:
a. Kesh – leave hair on the head, face and body uncut;
b. Kanga – wear a comb;
c. Kara – wear an iron bangle (bracelet);
d. Kacha – wear under-drawers of a specific design; and
e. Kirpan – wear a symbolic dagger with an overall length (including handle and sheath) not exceeding 23 cm (9 in.).
17. The colour of turbans (see also Chapter 6, Section 1) worn by male members shall be:
a. navy – white, or navy blue (black) when navy berets are ordered worn;
b. army – rifle green or other authorized colour;
c. air force – light blue;
d. field combat clothing – olive drab; and
e. full dress and undress – a colour which visually blends with the colour of the normal headdress. Full dress and undress items are noted in Chapter 5. Units shall obtain approval for adoption as noted in Chapter 2, Section 1, paragraphs 24. to 27., through normal channels, including branch advisers.
18. Crossed ribbons may be worn on the navy, army and air force turbans in accordance with branch/regimental customs as illustrated in Figure 2-3-1.
19. MPs shall wear two 3 cm (1-3/16 in. wide) scarlet ribbons.
20. The pug (see Figure 2-3-1) shall be the same colour as the turban.
21. Method of Wear. The following instructions are not intended to detail the method of styling and wearing hair on the head, of wearing the comb or of winding the turban. Instead they provide sufficient direction to ensure uniformity of dress amongst Sikh members. Accordingly, symbols and associated badges shall be worn as follows:
a. Turban. Worn in a low, Sikh conventional manner, with the final winding right over left on the forehead. If ribbons are worn, their lower edge shall be 2 cm (3/4 in.) from the lowest edge of the turban at the sides of the head, and crossed right over left at the centre of the forehead. The ribbons shall be secured on the turban by tucking their ends into the folds at the front and rear.
b. Cap Badge. Worn centred on the front of the turban and on the crossing point of any ribbons. The badge shall be locally modified to provide a brooch fastener to secure it to the cloth.
c. Patka. A traditional Sikh cloth headcovering worn when a turban is not suitable, such as under combat, flying or diving helmets, or during sports or strenuous physical activity (see Figure 2-3-1).
d. Kesh (Hair). Male members shall wear their hair tied in a knot at the crown of the head, and shall secure the hair of the beard under the chin, presenting a close-to-face, groomed appearance. Female members shall wear their hair styled in a bun at the rear of the head to facilitate the proper wearing of Standard CF headdress.
e. Kanga (Comb). Worn concealed in the hair.
f. Kara (Bangle or Bracelet). Worn on the right wrist.
g. Kirpan (Dagger). Shall remain sheathed, except for religious occasions and for cleaning purposes. The sheathed kirpan, worn under the outer shirt or jacket, shall be supported by a black cloth sling, slung from the right shoulder to the left side. Should the kirpan interfere with the wearing of uniform accoutrements or equipment, it may be slung from the left shoulder and worn on the right side.
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