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 CAN HAVE FAITH WITHOUT WEARING A
DIFFERENT HEAD COVER. SURE HOPE THE
MARINE CORPS DON’T ADOPT THIS IDEA.
Terry Sr.
As long as the platoon don’t start shooting each other
That’s not a Muslim, that is a Sikh . big difference
Unless your Christian
This has been in effect for at least five years. I was stationed on fort drum at the same time this gentleman was there. He was the image of professionalism, and did nothing but bring credit to the uniform. The exception was made because of his personal beliefs as a Sikh, a belief system originating in India, not the middle east. Make sure you present all the facts before sensationalistic scraps of information to rouse the ignorant masses.
So much for a sense of belonging.
You libtards are the scourge of the earth and so unpatriotic that it sickens a great deal of people who have family from WW1 to current date.. Shame on you. You have zero conception of just what the religion of Islam is nor their capabilities, you are blind and lack the fortitude to be deliberate in decision making, your unicorn awaits you.
I thought that when one joined a branch of the service – no matter what your religion – you had to wear the uniform of that branch of the service. And that means everyone who joins. My opinion – if you don’t want to wear the uniform – don’t join!
This is The United States of America… You nuts!!!
What!? Well america