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 soldiers are protecting the country not religion.The uniform should should stay as it is. What’s this c**p about turbans?
Our Military has gone to Hell in a Handbag , Ignorant BASTARDS running our MILITARY
Christians should wear robes and Jews should wear skullcaps
The figures for the number of Jews in the armed forces isn’t given. What is it?
As the old saying goes: If you can’t hack the program, get out of the parade. If your religion is so strict that it goes contrary to wearing a uniform, then don’t join. Enjoy your religious freedom compliments of those who are proud to wear the uniforms of the greatest military on earth. Hoo-yah
what happens when you have a muslim as CIC.
Pitiful
This is more BO Bull$#%&!@* !!
First and foremost, I do not agree with the decision to allow wearing of religious attire as part of the military uniform.
That being said, some people making inane comments about Islam and Muslims need to do some homework. The soldier in the picture is a Sikh. He is not a Muslim. There are distinct differences between the Islamic religion and Sikhism. Sikhs have proven their fighting ability time and time again.
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