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.
BULL$#%&!@*
Total BULL $#%&!@*
Are these the Sikhs? Still bad form, if they wish to serve, then they wear the uniform. Everyone else has to. No special treatment.
Outrageous! How are we supposed to know who the Friendlies or the Enemies are!
Wtf!?!?!? It’s called a uniform for a reason!!!!
Stevey that dum Army you say should be giving due resepct because the different branch’s of the armed forces helps keep you and me free one day young man you might be introduced to a US Marine drill instructor at Paris Island and I promise you will know what resepcting that uniform really means in the first 30 sec or less . SSGT USMC
Agreed.
While persecuting Christians..
Obama transformational garbage Where was Everyone May 16 2014 when the veterans needed to be in Washington D C ? EVERYONE IS GUTLESS.
As a vet I do not like it at all///