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.
WHAT!!!!!! HECK NO
Freedom of religion.
how stupid is that?
what’s next wearing their pants with their ass hanging out?
this is bull$#%&!@* .the military has rules .adhere to them or get out and go back to where u came from.put them special people on the front lines
Are they out of there $#%&!@*ing minds
OMG Do you realize you are slowly but surely handing them this country, people fought and died for us and we are letting a few very misguided morons surround us and swallow us up. This must stop. We must think clearly and not be afraid of being call racists, we must do the right thing, not the political correct thing, that is how we got into this crazy mess.
The Us military was fine with it’s rules for 200plus years; why change now? Stupid PC bull$#%&!@*. You wAnt to wear a turban join the Indian army!!!
Rules should not change for any of the militarys dress code period, leave alone
where the hell is our cowardly congress and senate?