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.
Disgraceful!!! What happened to everyone on the same uniform. (That is what the word itself MEANS …..UNIFORM!!!!!
yes this is a disgrace to everyone who has ever worn a US uniform. Get Rid of the Muslim traitors.
but they can take away our Bibles and our flags?
Looks like now the females will be allowed to wear burqas as well. Obama is slowly ruining our military.
Come on. Where is the common sense? The chaplains can’t talk about Jesus, but Muslims can wear turbans? Can Sharia Law be far behind?
Unless you are a Christian; aren’t bibles taboo. Well I do hope that the Christians will stand up for their faith.
Soooo……..is he authorized a tan turban if goes Ranger? Lol
Good Lord !!!
complete stupidity.
No more band of brothers, now band of others.