We’ve had a cadet start recently who due to the bulk of their hair would require someting in the region of a 70cm beret.
Their hair conforms to regulations and is very neatly braided. There is little that could be done to move it lower or change the way it sits. We have discussed and tried these options with the cadet and are sturggling to find a solution.
We are keen to solve the problem however are starting to run out of ideas.
Any suggestions for appropriate headress?
I know a few enlisted aviators with hair like that and they invariably wear the female SD cap in lieu of a beret. This isn’t currently allowed for cadets, but perhaps something for the DPSG to consider @AlexCorbin?
Sometimes, adopting the parent service’s appearance standards needs the same uniform options as well.
As an interim measure, when I’ve had berets that are too small and exchanging it wasn’t viable in the shorter term, I’ve been known to cut sections out of the leather band in the part of the beret that is hidden under the flap over the right ear.
This is all on the agenda. How we approach uniform in a gender free way
This sounds more like a potential race/religion issue to me? Braids suggests black hair? Or particular religious faiths. (But I concede not necessarily.)
Yeah I’ve re read it.
You are right. Will build into the convos.
My personal stance, is just take a pragmatic approach that benefits the individual and makes them feel comfortable.
There will always be edge cases and I appreciate that.
Our current problem is our best option at the moment is to perch a 62 beret on top of their head. This quite clearly doesnt fit so is not a solution.
We are conscious we do not want to be exclusionary and at the moment this is happening in quite an obvious way. As everyone has seen when that one cadet forgets their beret it is noticed and called out very quickly so is somewhat of a concern for off squadron events.
This has been raised through the CoC however also appealing to the crowd mind for similar experiences / solutions.
It would be interesting to know what size would be required to fit correctly?
Based on the measurments we took we reckon someting in the region of 70cm
Bring back the forage cap for the oiks? These can be more forgiving in sizing; I’ll concede this is more of a long term answer.
….Bring back proper haircuts I say……. 
Yes, I’m old and don’t like change! 
For someone who is black, braids would be a proper haircut….
Pretty sure back in my day …..they couldn’t have then?
But I guess we move onwards for the better! ….but don’t ask me about beards!! 
Ah, yes, the good old discriminatory days.
The point is, in this case, a haircut likely wouldn’t help, unless they cut it very short, which is hardly a reasonable thing to request.
There are many cadets who struggle to put their hair in a bun due to how thick their hair is.
I agree, if they change the rules they need to cater for the consequences and new requirements.
In this case, surely no beret is the solution until one can be sourced/produced.
I must admit, I’m surprised the beret has not been replaced with a baseball cap in these modern times!
But this is where RAFAC has moved well ahead of the other CFs and AFs.
The RAF relaxed their rules on hair, but you (rarely) see anyone with hair as long as you do in RAFAC. Even female aviators, in many cases, have returned to the old methods of having their hair up, or tied nicely.
All those old barriers to recruitment and retention are going in the bin now that it looks like we’re going to have a war to fight.