The Pentagon has approved a new policy that will allow troops to wear turbans and other religious clothing and engage in religious observances.
Until now there has been no set policy in the military to allow accommodations for religion.
Soldiers must apply for a waiver to be able to wear their religious garment or engage in a specific religious activity, which the military says they will take on a case-by-case basis.
The Pentagon has approved a new policy that will allow troops to seek waivers to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices.Defense officials say the waivers will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will depend on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.
Until now there has been no consistent policy across the military to allow accommodations for religion. Now, for example, Jewish troops can seek a waiver to wear a yarmulke, or Sikhs can seek waivers to wear a turban and grow a beard.
Others can request specific prayer times or ask that they be allowed to carry prayer beads or other items.
The policy also says that service members can choose not to recognize any religion, according to NBC News.
According to Defense Department statistics obtained by NBC, there are only three Sikh Americans in the military. There are about 3,700 Muslims. 6,300 Buddhists, and 1,500 Wiccans.
The directive stresses that “the importance of uniformity and adhering to standards, of putting unit before self, is more significant and needs to be carefully evaluated when considering each request for accommodation,” according to NBC.
This is so wrong to allow turbans. They are in the USA military, they should dress as USA military, not as Arabs.
but our christian soldiers are not allowed
what the hell, why why why. we are to practice our beliefs on our own time. ok folks who go to church, demand that we get Sunday, Sunday evening and Wednesday off of work. now thats more acceptable beings we are citizens. all of this needs to be over turned ASAP
our military useto be about pride, now its about cry babies.
Bad idea
Rag heads in the Army?
thats pure bull$#%&!@* . it has no place in the military , its just ovomits bull$#%&!@*
Y IS THE ARMY COW DOWING TO THOSE RAG HEADS? Y R WE, AS CITIZENS LETTING IT HAPPEN? IF THEY WANT IN OUR ARMIES OR NAVIES THEN LET THEM WEAR WHAT IS ISSUED NOT WHAT THEY WANT. IF THEY STILL WANT TO WEAR THEIR RAGS THEN DISCHARGE THEM ..
they took religion out of school and the Pledge of allegiance out of school their going against our Constitution. mixing Government with religion. Our forefathers would look in disgrace to see what America has become. Because of a dictator because that’s what Obama is George Bush wasn’t much of a president either but one thing I can say about him he flew our flag with respect. You’ll never see the flag in Obama hands. it woulld be a disgraces to even let him touch it
Big mistake! They came to become Americans and can wear a hat to contain their hair.