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.
They need to assimilate rather than us constantly caving to their demands.
We are so screwed
Why not let everyone wear whatever they want. How about purple shorts, orange tee shirt, red socks, plaid jacket, and striped pants! No difference – NO UNIFORM!! Former ENLISTED US MARINE & US ARMY CHAPLAIN!
Why do we cater to any one group ? Its the United States Military. You’ve just opened Pandora’s Box. You better let Mexicans wear sombreros and Puerto Ricans fly their flag and Japanese carry swords and South American carry their equipment on Lama’s and Southerners fly the rebel flag and gays fly the rainbow flag. Hell you may as well let everyone do whatever the hell they feel like. THEY LOOK LIKE THE ENEMY ! DONT WORRY FRIENDLY FIRE COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. DAH !
There goes the military…
That’s wrong.
This is nonsense#, hollow loud
Wonder who’s idea this was…??? LoL Ridiculous!
It isn’t our military anymore. It is a disgrace. I am sorry I ever served.
All Obama lovers.