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Cadets of the Sikh Faith

Cadets who are adherents of the Sikh religion (Keshadharis) shall wear the cadet uniform and adhere to standard Cadet Program dress policy and instructions, with the following exceptions:

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  1. Five symbolic requirements of the Sikh religion are authorized for wear with all orders of dress. Should a conflict arise between the requirements 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. Training establishment COs retain the right to order the manner of this adjustment as necessary to meet safety and operational requirements. 

  2. A turban may be worn by cadets with ceremonial, mess, and service dress. Turbans may also be worn with environmental training dress, subject to the safety considerations noted in, above.

     

Except as otherwise provided, the turban worn by cadets and additional authorized headdress worn by cadets shall not be ordered to be removed, including the cap badge, while wearing their uniform. Similarly, when on duty wearing civilian clothing, a civilian turban and an appropriate civilian head covering shall not be ordered to be removed. Specifically, such headdress shall not be ordered to be removed:

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  1. On parade;

  2. By a member of the bearer party at a funeral;

  3. When entering a consecrated building;

  4. When entering a mess, canteen, or dining room; and

  5. At formal or informal functions when the removal of headdress might otherwise be considered appropriate.

 


Adherents of the Sikh religion may observe the following five symbolic requirements:

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  1. Kesh – leave hair on the head, face, and body unshorn;

  2. Kanga – wear a comb;

  3. Kara – wear a bangle (bracelet);

  4. Kacha – wear under-drawers of a specific design; and

  5. Kirpan – wear a symbolic dagger with an overall length (including handle and sheath) not less than 11.5 cm (about 4-1/2 in) and not exceeding 19 cm (about 7-1/2 in).



​The colour of turbans worn by cadets shall be:

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  1. Sea Cadets – white when Sailor’s caps are worn, or navy blue (black) when berets / ball caps are ordered worn;

  2. Army Cadets – rifle green or Canadian average green;

  3. Air Cadets – RCAF blue; and

  4. JCRs – rifle green or Canadian average green
    Crossed ribbons may be worn on the sea cadet, army cadet, air cadet or JCR turbans in accordance with elemental / regimental customs.
     

Cadet units affliated with Military Police units shall wear two 3 cm wide scarlet ribbons.


The Patka / Pug / Fiftee shall be the same colour as the turban.
 

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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 cadets. Accordingly, symbols and associated badges shall be worn as follows:

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  1. Turban (or Pug). Worn in a low, conventional Sikh 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;

  2. Cap Badge. Worn centred on the front of the turban and on the crossing point of any ribbons. The cloth or metal badge shall be locally modified to provide a brooch fastener or clip to secure it to the cloth;

  3. Patka. A traditional Sikh cloth head-covering worn when a turban is not suitable, such as under helmets, or during sports or strenuous physical activity (see Figure 2-3-2);

  4. Fiftee. Instead of Patka or a Pug, a Fiftee is a small band of cloth that is visible on the forehead just under the Turban;

  5. Kesh (Hair). Cadets may 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 or wear their hair styled in a bun at the rear of the head to facilitate the proper wearing of standard cadet headdress;

  6. Kanga (Comb). Worn concealed in the hair;

  7. Kara (Bangle or Bracelet). Worn on the right wrist; and

  8. 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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