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.
In IDF we have jewish soldiers, druz soldiers, christian, muslim and atheist soldiers and it’s all cool as long as they act and look like soldiers! – you can put whatever you want underneath your uniform, and on your had you can put only small yamaka – that would not prevent you from putting Beret or helmet when needed.
you can practice your religion as long as it doesn’t interfere with being soldier!
Their goes uniformity, what the military is based around. Now new regulations for inspection etc. What the $#%&!@*.
WTF ??????
Then can the rest of soldiers wear cowboy hats, baseball caps and bandannas.. ????
Whoa I’m confused. What happened to separation of state and religion? Does this only apply to Christians? This turban b/s is not an American uniform. Want to wear the turbans join the talliban.
There is nothing wrong allowing Sikhs to wear turban,yhey wear turban for a reason,as they are not allowed to cut their hair in their whole life.Sikhs are one of the most fierce fighting people when in combat and they serve the country they are fighting for bravely and loyally.
Stupid idea…how will they wear their kevlar helmet..??
Anyone can practice their religious beliefs and they can even practice none. But US military uniforms are part of great heritage. If you wanted to be part of great military heritage than you must follow the uniform regulation.
Fuuuuuccccccckkkkkkkkk Obama. He is destroying our country
unacceptable!!!