By Earlier the Pentagon was faced with a decision on what to do about Sikhs wearing turbans in the US military. Well now a decision has been made:
The Army has allowed a Sikh Army doctor to keep his turban and beard after an outcry by a Sikh advocacy group.
But if he is transferred to another command or deploys, he’ll have to apply for another waiver from the Army’s uniform policy, said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Chris Garver.
“This accommodation does not constitute a blanket accommodation for any other individual; as each request must be evaluated based on its own unique facts and individual circumstances,” wrote Army Maj. Gen. Gina S. Farrisee in a letter to the soldier. [Stars & Stripes]
Read more on this decision at the link, but clearly the US military is trying to walk a delicate tight rope here because where do you draw the line on modifying uniform requirements for religious beliefs?
I can’t wait for a waiver for the first rastafarian that wants to modify uniform requirements.
10:34 pm on October 27th, 2009 1
I remember in 1995 going through AIT at Redstone Arsenal there was a SGM that was sikh. I remember him telling me while I was on Staff duty that he was the last one in the ARMY at that time that was allowed to where the beard and turban. He also said that he had to put in paperwork everywhere he went to keep the two. He stated that DA was a pain the rear and he thought they were like that to get him to change his appearance to the rest of the ARMY.
2:48 am on October 28th, 2009 2
Sikhs can wear their turban and dagger in the Canadian Forces.
The way I see it, it's not only a matter of human rights…it's a military tradition. Sikhs wore a turban in WW1 and WW2.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&am…
10:36 am on October 28th, 2009 3
Religious beliefs should not be given any special exemptions or favors for any reason(in the military or anywhere else). It's an all volunteer force. You volunteer and you follow the rules. You don't like it… then don't join.
8:45 pm on October 28th, 2009 4
So, no more military chaplains?
11:53 pm on October 28th, 2009 5
When I was getting out of the Army, there was some drama brewing about the headscarves Muslim women often wear. Muslim Soldiers wanted to wear them but the Army took the position they were too dangerous around heavy machinery. Anyone know what ever came of that?
1:37 am on October 29th, 2009 6
Is he a draftee? Did someone force him to join the Army?
Is he in SF or Delta?
When you join the Army it is made very clear that you have to conform to dress and appearance regulations. Or you don't join.
I've seen soldiers try some interesting dodges using their religion.
Had one single PFC that got separate rations because he was Jewish. Lost them after a Jewish chaplain said that a bucket of KFC in the field does not count as Kosher.
Had a muslim soldier that could not wear PT shorts because he had to keep his body covered. Lost that exemption after he was in a bodybuilding competition, posing in one of those little banana hammocks.
Far as I'm concerned, religous freedom doesn't extend past the chaplains office.
6:58 am on October 29th, 2009 7
#5 Maybe that is why out of all of the three major western religions, Christianity is the most versatile in army life due to its lack of any dress code.
9:46 am on October 29th, 2009 8
Yes they need to go. No more goverment money supporting religion. period. You need emotional support go see a mental health professional or a counsler. You need religious support for your paticular fantasy beliefs then get your own on your own time with your own money. You need special food then get it yourself with your own money. The playing field should be even accross the board.