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.
people who join any forces should be mandatory to wear the uniform out of respect or don’t join this is U.S.A.just because the dumb MUSLIN monkey face terrorist leader is in the white house giving orders after he breaks all laws ..uU.S.A. FORCES SHOULD TAKE CHARGE OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND BLOW THE MUSLINS,HAMIS,ISIS AWAY
WHAT
This is crazy another Obama scheme to demoralize our military!!!
BS
I understand respecting ones religion but we should also be able in instances to despite religion be as one. Like military uniforms, postal uniforms to name a few.
Burt Scott Staggs your right it was the first exception. But they were not in the military or in the United States. So what’s your point?
I worship diamonds and pearls… Can I wear my earrings (I am Army not Air Force) just kidding. It should be no different. You know when you join this is how it is, we sacrifice many things, but everybody wants to change everything they don’t like. If you don’t like it, go elsewhere. Ugh!
I say $#%&!@* all Muslims
Strange how non of this was ever brought up til Obama oked muslims to do this. No other religion is allowed. Notice it says you have to get a waiver to do so. It means they still tell others no! Just muslims with their towel heads.
let them do whatever for their observance crazy , americans cannot pray?