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.
Jews have been allowed to wear there hat things for a long time. Also the military has priests that constantly pray during events. People who don’t serve think this is odd but sry this has been in effect much like all the changes. Just now they are looking in the books and making old rules known.
Wait a minute! They can wear religious clothing, wear religious turbans, have religious observances? And American service people cannot pray or have a Bible? I think something smells here, as a matter of fact it STINKS! First of all how are they serving in the military if they are not US citizens? This sounds to me like we are arming the enemy and then putting them in the ranks for more mayhem! And of course the military are not allowed to carry loaded weapons on base, thanks to Clinton. This tells you what kind of Commander in Chief we have. Next they’ll be arming them with golf clubs.
The Pentagon has lost its mind. This is atrocious
One answer to that April, Obozo
Muslims should be allowed in the military!
Stop the madness already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is what happens when you have a Muslim president!
Muslims don’t. Wear turbans thatdude is Hindu he hates Muslims to but it would be nice to not. Shave I hate to shave and unless you in. A chemical environment where you have to wear a pro mask there is no reason we should have to shave. Best military people in historyhad a beard
Such BS!
The military should not allow this to take place
It’s an all volunteer force, they knew the dress and grooming standards prior to enlisting. If because of their religion there is a conflict DON’T SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE. They should be given a discharge as an undesirable.