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.
oh but they can’t wear crosses or practice their christian faith thats a no no right. My God what has happened to this once great country
Please tell me this is a nasty joke, no way do I want towel heads defending our country in the United States of America’s military forces!
While the military is on it’s knees perhaps they should make special waivers for the gay and transgender groups.
BULL$#%&!@*! You wear a regular American military uniform or get the hell out of OUR MILITARY!
Isn’t Hagle a muslim convert?
http://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/muslims-americas-depositions-reveal-new-enclaves
It’s almost like if you can’t whip their asses, join ’em. We were MADE to get haircuts for at least two good reasons. You pick two that applied to you!
OH HELL NO.
The world is changing,people must adapt, but when I served my country in the Navy,(1965—1969), we all wore the same uniform ! It was the same for the other branches of sevice too, with the exception of special ops, like Green Barrets, etc.
It is called “corruption at its finest” with a Muslim president that is not and never has been eligible to hold office of a Senator or President. Believe me the Democratic Party Marxist members will make sure we are destroyed.