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.
The pot has saved many a life. Don’t think a cloth turban will stop a bullet. Go ahead and express yourself you will regret it.
I dont see how this is a problem the only thing that could go wrong here is bigots and morons getting upset.
Give the Muslims an inch, they will take a mile , no more ham or bacon at Subway, Muslim food for welfare, and then they take over the entire country.
STOP CODDLING THE MUSLIMS! They have way too much of the world as it is now!
Assimilate or GTFO!
Are we still in America. What is wrong with these idiots
Christians should be able to strap a Crucifix to their heads then!!!
makes a better target i guess… just feel sorry for the guys stuck around the human target-
Unbelievable absolutely Unbelievable !!! This is not a Turkish Country !!!!!!!
Kick those towel heads out it’s just a way to let terriosts in the USA military
Hey Hannif, if you don’t like it get the hell out of our country.
No, no, no, that’s wrong.