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.
No, I am against that. If our American born enlisted men can’t wear their crosses and keep and read their bibles. Then the answer is no to other religions. What the heck is a muslim doing in our military if he is not going to follow the same dictates as our citizens have too? I’m sorry he must be discharged immediately. I don’t believe he would have the best interests of our country at heart.
This sounds Un-Amarican. This should generate court marshals.
Oh how WONDERFUL…… AND Now they are actually “TAKING AWAY” SOLDIERS & SAILORS BIBLE’S – BUT – Bend over to the f*cking Muslims!! These are definitely the last days……
HELL NO !!!!!!
Seems like every phase of our Government knuckles under to please these people. Are we one Military or not. This is stupid. Let them pray at home, no place for seperation of troops they count on each other for their lives.
Awful lot of keyboard commandoes speaking for the military lol
And they are asking chaplains and troops not to pray. And this idiot in the picture looks a complete idiot with his turban and full beard. And the patch on the turban is not even in the correct place.
Just plain bull$#%&!@*
Wow!!!!! And this is why great soldiers don’t re sign!!! What a shame….
BULLS@”T