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.
What a bunch of bull shi- this is! WTF is wrong with the pentagon I’m so glad my tour is over. Between the liberal Whitehouse and now the pentagon?
IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF THAT SOB obama what a piece of sh-t, we are letting him destroy our country day by day, we have got to stop this creature, or it will be the end of the us, and our beautiful country.
BS
James Bowen
Look at the way he’s looking at the drill sarge.. Eyes like.. Wait till I plant ieds around base.. I like to knock that stupid look off his face!
I remember a friend deciding to retire early when AFROs were allowed. He must be turning over in his grave now!
WHY ?
it is a good idea
here it is, absolute invasion and integration of America enemy- islam. islam is against the usa constitution. oh yes, the Pentagon has been compromised and infiltrated, its no wonder we are seeing policy changes to accomadate America enemies abroad.
what a damn joke.this country is so far down in the toilet we will never be able to get out.May God have mercy on our souls.