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.
so our taxes are paying for their turbans,blankies, and allah book? betcha…
Well at least the real Americas will know who to shoot first!
THATS BULLLLLLLLLLLLLL WHEN OUR MEN CANNOT EVEN PRAY TO OUR GOD
Totally wrong. I’m a god fearing man, but anyone joining my army should abide by the rules, and the dress code. 670-1 folks.
That’s bull$#%&!@*, they joined our military, our military didn’t join their religion!
Want to be a rag head off duty? Go for it! But when in uniform, abide by the UCMJ
Nothing like balkanizing our military into a variety of factions that will destroy our military’s cohesiveness. One more step in obama’s efforts to emasculate the military strenght of our armed forces. All of our Congressional elected officials should oppose this lunacy.
Are they FRIGGIN crazy ? WTF is this country coming to ?
Once they start making exceptions, it’s going to end up being a big fiasco. When I was in the Army back in 1960, NO exceptions were made. Uniformity was enforced.
he is not islam …he ia a hindu
This is wrong we r Americans not Muslims and never will be