Sikh turban ribbons? Who can wear and with what uniform?

[Sikandar2906]

Hi,

I am a Sikh joining army as DEO Armour Officer Reg F, and was wondering if anybody knows: who wears ribbons on turban, what rank and with what uniform?

And, who decides what color ribbons will they be?

 

[Staff Weenie]

Good questions - it is covered in the Dress Instructions - Section 3 - Spiritual Accommodations (Dress instructions | Section 3 Spiritual accommodation - Canada.ca). Technically it notes that:

1. 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.
2. MPs shall wear two 3 cm wide scarlet ribbons.

Colour is decided by the branch affiliation - I've got a friend in Health Services who has sanguine ribbons in his turban, which looks awesome.
Uniform - the ribbons would be worn whenever you are wearing the turban, and not the patka.

What I am not sure of is aspects such as whether you only get to wear the ribbons once you become qualified in the occupation, or is it right from the outset.

I have not seen anything to indicate that the ribbon changes in size or colour by rank.

Finally - Welcome to the CAF!

 

[Sikandar2906]

Good questions - it is covered in the Dress Instructions - Section 3 - Spiritual Accommodations (Dress instructions | Section 3 Spiritual accommodation - Canada.ca). Technically it notes that:

1. 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.
2. MPs shall wear two 3 cm wide scarlet ribbons.

Colour is decided by the branch affiliation - I've got a friend in Health Services who has sanguine ribbons in his turban, which looks awesome.
Uniform - the ribbons would be worn whenever you are wearing the turban, and not the patka.

What I am not sure of is aspects such as whether you only get to wear the ribbons once you become qualified in the occupation, or is it right from the outset.

I have not seen anything to indicate that the ribbon changes in size or colour by rank.

Finally - Welcome to the CAF!

Thank you. What rank is your friend? I am going Armour Officer, do you know if those regiments have any specific color for ribbons? Or is it usually red color shades for army?

 

[Staff Weenie]

Thank you. What rank is your friend? I am going Armour Officer, do you know if those regiments have any specific color for ribbons? Or is it usually red color shades for army?

My friend is a Major.

Regiments and branches will have specific colours, but I am not that much of an expert to know what they are. Sanguine and green are the medical branch colours, so sanguine was chosen as the ribbon colour to go with the green turban - it gives a really nice contrast. It is also the colour of the stripe on the pant legs in our Mess Kit. I believe (but may be wrong) that the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps colours are yellow and red - so the ribbon might be one of those colours.

To make things even more complicated.... Reserve Regiments and units often have their own traditional colours, so if you ever serve in a Reserve unit, it could be something different.

 

[Blackadder1916]

There are three Regular Force armour regiments (RCD, LdSH, 12e RBC). Head dress is normally a black beret, or for Sikh members, a black turban.

I was able to find only one photo of a turban wearing armour officer.

Lord Strathcona's Horse


Whether there are occasions when members of that regiment wear ribbons with their turbans, I do not know, however there is no mention whatsoever of turbans in the dress instruction section of the Strath's regimental manual. https://www.strathconas.ca/uploads/files/Regimental Manual 2015-Complete.pdf

I do not know about the other regiments.

Those idiosyncrasies of dress are usually regimentally generated and may not necessarily be in either the CF dress instructions or the Canadian Army dress instructions other than a notation to follow regimental differences. You will be made aware of them when you get badged to a regiment. Until then expect to wear generic insignia (i.e., armour branch badges) and a plain black turban.

 

[Kilted]

I haven't seen ribbons worn in turbans anywhere near me, although I did see pictures of a former MND wearing them. Generally speaking, the turban should just be the same colour as whatever headdress the rest of the unit is wearing in that particular order of dress.

 

[Staff Weenie]

I think some of that may be personal as well. For formal events and parades, the folks I know have worn the ribbons. For less formal activities and training, they don't.

 

[Sikandar2906]

I haven't seen ribbons worn in turbans anywhere near me, although I did see pictures of a former MND wearing them. Generally speaking, the turban should just be the same colour as whatever headdress the rest of the unit is wearing in that particular order of dress.

That is why am curious when do I need to wear them, I saw a BMQ graduation video and one sikh Air force Aviator had dark blue ribbons on light blue turban. I want to be prepared and want to know where do I get those ribbons too.

 

[Sikandar2906]

I think some of that may be personal as well. For formal events and parades, the folks I know have worn the ribbons. For less formal activities and training, they don't.

Which is true, ribbons are usually a part of more formal events with service and ceremonial dress. I just want to prepared on what color and how to get them.

 

[Sikandar2906]

There are three Regular Force armour regiments (RCD, LdSH, 12e RBC). Head dress is normally a black beret, or for Sikh members, a black turban.

I was able to find only one photo of a turban wearing armour officer.

Lord Strathcona's Horse
View attachment 90655

Whether there are occasions when members of that regiment wear ribbons with their turbans, I do not know, however there is no mention whatsoever of turbans in the dress instruction section of the Strath's regimental manual. https://www.strathconas.ca/uploads/files/Regimental Manual 2015-Complete.pdf

I do not know about the other regiments.

Those idiosyncrasies of dress are usually regimentally generated and may not necessarily be in either the CF dress instructions or the Canadian Army dress instructions other than a notation to follow regimental differences. You will be made aware of them when you get badged to a regiment. Until then expect to wear generic insignia (i.e., armour branch badges) and a plain black turban.

Thank you, there is no reference for turban you are right. But I have seen most of the regiments officers having ribbons on turban and was curious what would be mine.