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.
you stopped our people from going to church, couldn’t have a bible,where are the atheists on this, how come your not screaming at muslims?????
well… here’s my two cents…. It isn’t as much of an issue of Religious freedoms, as it is an issue of uniformity. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen a foreign military dressed in multiplicities, and thought to myself “they look so rag-tag.. who are they gonna scare, how UNITED can that military REALLY BE???” Our nation was founded with religious freedoms at the heart of the matter.. so to each, their own… whatever’s clever. but in MY ever so humble opinion.. this is a poor choice for no other reason than.. What’s the uniform? It is not only a symbol of what side you are on.. but it is a sign of strength and unity! I dunno, folks… i just don’t know.
you mean just like you are now
I think we have our point made don’t you
Islam is not a peaceful religion though
That is extremely stupid. Shoot all sand monkies on sight, including the ones in the United States Military.
This is total and complete BS! Our great military is built on conformity of uniform and discipline. We think as one and we fight as one. At least that’s how it use to be when we were a great nation.
The Freak’n liberal ACLU always scream “Separation of Church and State”!!! Where the Fk is the ACLU on this c**p???
I can only pray this does not happen in my Marine Corps.
Animals are amazing