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.
Why can’t we let this happen in the military for any other religion and we cannot have our children practice their Christian religion in our schools. Makes no sense to me but then that’s our government for you do for others what you will not do for your own country
This is so stupid!!!
Our Military is becoming a Disgrace, like the Obama’s!
They’re trying to tear us up. Vote red
I told my kids stay the hell out as long as ass hole Obama is in office!
I agree with religious freedom on your own time. If you join the military you know the requirements and you make a decision for yourself. There has always been a lot of self sacrifice involved. While in uniform there is obviously uniformity.
No,no,no,no!!! Are you kidding me!!!! I really think NOT!!!!
OMG!!!!
That is wrong on so many fronts!!!!
If people do not want to conform to our rules and standards they don’t need to be here!!!
If we keep changing our rules and standards before long we won’t have any!!
The face our our country is changing and not for the better!!!
I don’t agree with this that’s not part of the uniform if you’re going to be in the military you go by the rules the hat goes with the particular uniform not at Urban Art whatever that’s BS
Pppsssstttt hay kids !can you spot the interior spy for the terrorist scum?