Beards, uniforms, patches and nail polish: On Wednesday, the IDF announced a new set of grooming and dress code regulations for conscripted soldiers, career personnel and reservists. The updated directives introduce several changes and clarifications for service members in light of the ongoing war.
A committee established in September reviewed the IDF's disciplinary code. It included 17 representatives from all IDF branches and corps, along with two legal advisors and six additional consultants.
Beards
All male soldiers will be allowed to grow beards if they wish, provided they meet military grooming standards and criteria.
The change stems from a broader understanding that beards are not exclusively grown for religious reasons. Troops across all service divisions will now have to formally declare whether they intend to grow a beard. Soldiers must choose either to grow a full, thick beard and mustache – in line with the rules – or not grow one at all. When a soldier begins growing a beard, they will submit a declaration to mark the start of the process so its fullness can be monitored. If a soldier violates the regulations, they will lose the privilege and will be limited to trimming their beard to 2 mm in length.
Uniforms
Due to the ongoing war, the new uniform regulations will apply only during the conflict and will be reassessed once it ends.
According to the IDF's decision, only active-duty and reservist combat soldiers may wear tactical uniforms. Combat troops will be allowed to wear these uniforms when leaving and returning to base, while Service dress (Class A) uniforms will be used for ceremonies and formal events. Non-combat troops may wear field dress (Class B) uniforms during wartime, with unit commander approval.
Career soldiers
Career personnel – both combat and non-combat – will wear designated Class B uniforms, which will be issued with official patches.
Only three types of patches will now be authorized for career soldiers: the Israeli flag, a name tag, and a unit insignia. This marks the end of the "Messiah" and skull patches and others that became popular during the war. Notably, during the conflict, such patches sparked controversy when then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi instructed a soldier in southern Lebanon to remove a "Messiah" patch.
Female career soldiers will be permitted to wear nail polish in any solid color, as long as it is uniform across all fingers and does not include glitter or designs. They may also wear two small earrings.
Career personnel will also be allowed to wear a single ring even if they are not married.
Reserve forces
Reservists will wear Class B uniforms with military boots and will be required to maintain standard IDF appearance, including uniform undershirt colors and proper hair grooming. Each reservist will wear the standardized boots issued by their unit – black for Armored Corps, red for Paratroopers.
The IDF will grant soldiers a one-month adjustment period before the new rules take effect on June 1, at which point enforcement will begin. Soldiers may start following the new regulations as early as tomorrow. The IDF emphasized that only combat troops, in both active duty and reserves, may wear tactical uniforms.
