By This is an interesting case for Defense Secretary Robert Gates to figure out:
Seeing “Integrate the U.S. Army” on a protest sign recalls the civil rights struggles of African-Americans in the mid-20th Century. But on Tuesday, under a cold wet spring sky, more than a dozen Americans of a different minority, the Sikh faith, stood in front of the iconic Iwo Jima memorial to World War II with one simple request: Let us serve.
The Pentagon has informed two Sikh personnel in the Army Reserves, a doctor and a dentist, that they must remove their turbans and cut their hair when they are called into their regular Army service later this year, according to a Sikh advocacy group.
Capt. Kamaljeet S. Kalsi said the Army recruiters who approached him during his first year of medical school in 2001 said they wanted him, and his beard, turban and long hair, to serve in the medical corps.
Seven years later, Kalsi expects to begin the Officers’ Leadership Basic Course in July. But superiors in the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program told him last year that he may have a problem with these “articles of faith” and an Army medical advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General informed him he may face resistance over his turban and beard.
Kalsi wrote to commanders at the Army Graduate Medical Education Office in December 2008 asking for exemption, but was denied. [Stars & Stripes]
The only problem I see with this is that you could set a precedent of people wanting to modify the uniform for other religious reasons as well. So where do you draw the line? That is what Defense Secretary Gates has to figure out.
5:22 am on April 15th, 2009 1
Sikhs long served with distinction in the British Army. They're a kind of warrior religion/tribe straight out of a Dorsai novel, pretty much. Lots have won VCs:
http://www.info-sikh.com/VCPage1.html
The british army found a way to accommodate them within their ranks. Canada's storied RCMP have as well. The USA army should take a long look at how to get a people with a proud tradition of military service into their ranks. I would hate to think 2 meters of cloth is the only thing standing in the way.
5:43 am on April 15th, 2009 2
In the medical corp, I don't see much problem. In the infantry? Part of getting your hair cut and face shaved are in the interest of institutionalization, stripping away the individual identity to become a member of a singular group. No question I respect their history and willingness to serve, but can they be fully assimilated while remaining seperate? Plus, how does a helmet work over their turban? A pro-mask with their beard? Do we have to assume certain casualties in firefights and in Chem-Bio attacks just because they have their beliefs?
The primary purpose of the Army is to fight and defend, not to provide opportunities. I do not envy Gates, but I can see a solution similar to where women are allowed to serve in the forces. Will they be happy with that? I would hope so, as I would like to have them on my side.
6:33 am on April 15th, 2009 3
Rasta. Rasta boombasta. Can't wait to groom some irie dreads, boy. Can't wait to puff some irie ganja. God bless America and its irie lawyers.
7:33 am on April 15th, 2009 4
There are exemptions in the military, however none that I know of allow beards. The turban could be allowed, with the exception of infantry related troops where the wearing of chem gear would be a possibility.
Deploying to Iraq or Afganistan could be an advantage for the Sikhs, although I am no expert.
8:21 am on April 15th, 2009 5
Doesn't the Army have rules and regulations like AR 670-1? I guess that replaced toilet paper. Re]pay the the money for your dental and medical school and STFU!
9:37 am on April 15th, 2009 6
You beat me to it. Good call.
9:41 am on April 15th, 2009 7
Shaving profiles are somewhat common for the poor guys who are prone to ingrown hairs. However, the remains must me neatly trimmed so that it appears to be a 5 O'Clock shadow. This is also strictly a medical issue.
9:45 am on April 15th, 2009 8
No concessions should be made for any religious practices in the U.S. military. Leave your witchcraft and superstitous psychosis at home please.
9:55 am on April 15th, 2009 9
As one article has pointed out, Sikhs could wear the turban, beard, and steel bracelet until some time during the Reagan years. The last time I saw a Sikh in dress greens was 1982, I think. He did not look unmilitary by any stretch.
There was, I believe, something in the regs about "testing" the requester's adherence to the faith, it wasn't 670-1.
I think (once again) that was some of the commenters are concerned about is that whack-job religions will come out of the wood-work claiming some need to modify the uniform to allow for their religious practices. (Hejab for Muslim women soldiers? Yarmulkes for Jews?)
But back when the policy for Sikhs was in effect, this did not happen. We're missing a good bet by not reverting to an earlier policy, and allowing observant Sikhs to serve.
10:27 am on April 15th, 2009 10
First off, I think they should be accommodated; Sikhs are warriors, we allow Jhoos to wear their funny hats, that said…
as I think of double standards and exceptions (in an all volunteer force), I think females should be required to adhere to the same standards, grooming and otherwise, as males. Let’s address that before we get into the OD green Magic Mormon underwear argument.
As far as religion goes, mine is a little bizarre as well. My Plat-Daddy discriminated against me when I was in. You see, my religion requires me to wear assless chaps while riding a small donkey (not to exceed 250kg) backward while reciting any Rudyard Kipling verses which come to mind, backward. Trust me, it all makes sense, the book says so, the book is right and true. The book says so, wash, repeat, rinse. The reward? I'll be eaten first. All hail Cthulhu!
/Yes, it makes just as much sense as any other made up BS, regardless of age… BS is BS even if it is mummified and has a pope.
11:21 am on April 15th, 2009 11
Women get to have long hair. I guess if they have p ussies, as I suspect may of them do, they can have long hair.
12:21 pm on April 15th, 2009 12
I would rather have female Soldiers (especially officers) looking like women, so I don't have to wonder whether to call them Ma'am or Sir. Hell, let's just call them all "sir" for the hell of it. Like the little girl on Peanuts that always calls Peppermint Patty "sir".
As far as accomodating Sikhs, I don't mind. I like the idea of relaxed grooming standards and relaxed uniform policies for everyone. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's called a "uniform" for a reason.
12:43 pm on April 15th, 2009 13
My point is, equal is equal. You either are or are not. Unless standards are, well, standardized, someone is not, and never will be (or perceived as), "equal". I'm looking at you Ma'am (Madame).
@9: I like the idea of turning "sir" into a non-gender based form of address for all superiors. Once again, it makes evryone more "equal". Peppermint Patty's little friend (Marcy?) has that one right.
Since we allow others to circumvent standards, why not the sikhs?
2:32 pm on April 15th, 2009 14
Doesn't it suck when no one takes your troll bait?
3:15 pm on April 15th, 2009 15
My wiccan beliefs require me to wear a pointed wizard cap.
3:46 pm on April 15th, 2009 16
Gee, I took it as simply a reasonable statement. There should be no accomodations for anyone's irrational fantasies in the military – do that shit on your own time.
11:31 pm on April 15th, 2009 17
I am of the faith Jambyleka. Our religion states that believers must wear a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer vertically on the head and we must shake our penis 5 times side to side and 4 times vertically when meeting someone new in an Italian restaurant. Also, we don't brush out teeth, shower nor shave. We also engage in child sex on Wednesdays between 7:21 and 8:03 am during the third phase of Saturn's 6th lunar calendar. We also eat raw turkey livers.
I demand the U.S. Navy allow us to practice our religious rights – NOW!!!!!
8:00 pm on April 21st, 2009 18
A week late, but at my old Reserve unit (a hospital which I'll leave off of the interwebs for now…) we had a doctor (Major) who wore his turban and beard for every drill. Now, I got out before the hospital deployed so I'm not sure if he deployed following standard uniform regs or not, but they let him him wear it all until past 2002 for sure.
5:23 am on May 4th, 2009 19
There a difference between a well-established religion and the BS that you're talking about. Sikhs have been recognized by many militaries across the world: Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and so on. Not to mention the fact that, Sikhs were allowed to wear their turbans in the U.S. Army up until thirty years ago. It seems as if our Congress has taken a backward step against First Amendment Rights. That is pretty odd. Keep your ignorance to yourself.
11:40 pm on May 4th, 2009 20
Remember – Cthulhu Saves . . . in case he's hungry later.
5:40 am on May 5th, 2009 21
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh C'thulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
Dammit Major Joe, I hear the call!
I haven't seen you in a long time. You need to jump on down to the bar (you know which one). Don't bump your ass, just hop on down there and I'll have a Gin & Tonic and you might partake of a Jack and Coke… Things have changed a bit. How about Friday night?
…and if we find Cthulhu to be hungry, I quite definately want to be eaten first!!! Yog-Sothoth rules!
5:47 am on May 5th, 2009 22
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh C'thulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
I hear the call! Gosh dang it Major Joe. I haven't seen you in a coons age. Why don't you hop on down to the bar (you know which one). Don't bump your arse, just jump on in. I'll have a gin & tonic and I suppose you'll have a Jack and Coke. Things have changed, I think you'll like it.
…and by the way, if Cthulhu is hungry, I most definately want to be eaten first! It's the best I can hope for. Yog-Sothoth rules!
6:00 am on May 5th, 2009 23
Thought I got filtered… There awas a delay. Oh well. GI, do as you must, before The Old Ones awaken.
4:18 pm on May 17th, 2009 24
i thought only christians believe in witchcraft. ur parents never sent u to school. racist
4:23 pm on May 17th, 2009 25
here speaks another brainwashed looser
4:28 pm on May 17th, 2009 26
hey guys just a request before leaving a rediculous racist comment please read on sikhnet.com, reharding who are these people, SIKHS. These people fought against oppression all over the world and gave their lives.
request……..
6:40 pm on May 17th, 2009 27
Sunny, Sunny, sunny…
The moment you said "racist" you lost all credibility and opened yourself up to ridicule and attack.
The comments here discussed religion, not race. Further, the comments you cite as "racist" generally defended the concept of equality within the military… equal rules for all religions and cultures.
Take your fake outrage, unintentional hypocrisy and blatant race baiting to push a religious agenda, elsewhere… and don't dishonor Sikhism by associating your shallow comments with them in public again.
The values, practices and history of Sikhism is certainly more admirable than some other religions and cultures but this is beside the point. Nobody here is denying Sikhs the privilege to wear a religious costume based on race or even religion.
The United States military has certain standards and uniformity for very good reasons… be they social, logistical, tactical, etc.
One very important reason is equality. When a single group is favored, it opens the door for every other group with an equally valid claim for special treatment…
…and there are many (even more vocal) groups which have a better claim… as their groups are older, larger, been more repressed, more common in America, etc.
Like Sikhs, many of these groups have valid individual claims… why shouldn't certain tribes of American Indians be able to wear feathers… or even follow the tradition of collecting scalps?
And then it gets messy.
It seems diversity is incompatible with modern warfare… which counts on uniformity in thinking, culture, dress and attitude… or at least as close as it can get… and as technology makes more decisions based on assumptions of uniformity and averages, this isn't going away.
So… while Sikhs would unquestionably make a fine addition to American's fighting force in terms of bravery, attitude and ability, would the disadvantages brought about in the larger picture make it a net gain for America's military?
I don't have that answer.
At this time, the military seems to think the answer is no.
Whatever the case, it is pretty safe to say racism, or even religion, is not really a factor.
It's probably mostly about the funny hats.
8:26 am on May 18th, 2009 28
for a sikh man the turban is compulsary, most turbaned men, have worn it their entire lifes.
second- sikhs are a warrior army religion- saint soldiers, who have been praised for their participation in ww1 and ww2.
if anythink- there sud only be exceptions for the sikhs only. since they have proven thir worth
12:05 pm on June 10th, 2009 29
He said "religious practices" not sikhism so thats not racist and he was referring to religion in general. Everyone is required to shave their head and facial hair in the US military, its to make each soldier conform to the group and also for safety. So why should people be denied long hair and beards because of any reasons they might have while others get to keep it because they think it's magic?
2:56 pm on June 10th, 2009 30
As a Sikh myself, I'm mixed on this. While you could say I'm apostate (I only used to wear the bangle), in the end, I'm not sure what to think. My main point of thought is that will standard chem/bio suits cover completely? I would think thats the main problem here.
However, I don't really have to worry about that as I am not orthodox.
11:45 pm on March 6th, 2010 31
worldwide connecting
12:24 am on March 7th, 2010 32
I wonder what Johnny Quest would have to say…
6:03 pm on March 15th, 2010 33
Oh ya, why?
What makes their imaginary nonsense so special?
So there will be special rules for one group? Why should there be? Can everyone wear turbans? Why not? Do we need to make special regs for amish soldiers now?
This is stupid, one regulation for all.
4:49 am on September 20th, 2010 34
I think the most of you don't know what being a sikh means. It's not only practising a religion, it's way of life.
It's not witchcraft or other crap a few said before: It is a monotheistic religion believing in one almighty God.
Sikhs serve in all other countries in army, they are also sikh pilots. So why it's not permitted to become a soldier in US army?
Uniform means same clothes, not same face or same lenght of hair. They are also Christians in India serving the army without wearing a turban. So why its not allowed for them with turban?
I think it's not a question of unite or uniform, furthermore it's a question of experince some new and respecting other religions and beliefs.
7:53 am on September 20th, 2010 35
I have yet to figure out why any religion deserves respect.
Having a right to a belief is not the same as having a right to not hear criticism of that belief. The right to criticize has the same basis as the right to believe.
The most significant problem with believers’ demands for respect for their religions and/or religious beliefs is that “respect” too often amounts to “deference.” Deferring to religion or religious beliefs means according them a privileged status — something understandable for believers, but not something which can be demanded from nonbelievers. Religious beliefs merit no more deference than any other claims and religions do not merit deference from nonbelievers.
Respecting religion, religious beliefs, and religious believers does not and cannot include treating them with kid gloves. If believers want respect, then they must be treated as adults who are responsible and culpable for what they assert — for better and for worse.
1:32 pm on September 20th, 2010 36
Leon,
"I have yet to figure out why any religion deserves respect."
Shame on you. Talk like that might get you excommunicated.
NOT SAFE FOR WORK.
http://templepriapus.org/more.htm
1:48 pm on September 20th, 2010 37
Hmm a uniform is a uniform and we can't go modifying visible parts of that uniform for religious reasons. There is no problem wearing it during religious practices or possibly during some formal occasion (dress blue) but not in the ACU during normal duty times.
2:52 pm on September 20th, 2010 38
Early in my military career Sikhs could wear their turbans & have beards. As I remember when the military changed the policy members already in were grandfathered but new military members had to conform with AR 670-1. I don't remember what the policy was or is with yarmulkes for Jewish troops, I think I remember troops wearing them but actually I haven't thought about it since I retired until I started reading this story. Chefantwon #4. Islam is the predominate religion in Afghanistan & Iraq. Sikhs are not Muslims, Sikhism is a derivative of Hinduism so there would be no advantage to sending Sikhs to the mideast. The military is a uniformed service but when Sikhs were allowed to wear turbans & beards before the military functioned just fine so in this case I think a change in policy would be ok. Hopefully allowing Sikhs to wear turbans & have beards won't allow certain South American Indian tribes to carry shrunken heads, lol. I am concerned about Sikhs not being able to wear a protective mask because you can't have a good seal on the mask with a beard. I have a feeling that if a chemical attack was imminent that many Sikhs might suddenly decide to whip out a razor.
4:57 pm on September 20th, 2010 39
aine,
I guess I'll ask the obvious question here.
Like the military, do Sikhs have some sort of standards of uniformity in clothing and appearance which they expect all their members to follow without exception?
That will be all.
3:54 am on September 21st, 2010 40
To chickenhead,
the answer of your question is no. Of course they have standards in uniformity, like all Sikh wear a turban and have beards, but non-sikhs don't have to wear a turban or a beard when they want to serve in the army.
In India live so many people with different religions, and they are practising them openly in public. They are also allowed to do, although India is a hinduism country.
And to Tom,
Sikhs are not a derivative of Hinduism. That'a wrong information going through sikhism definition.