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.
THEY ARE CALLED UNIFORMS FOR A RESON! UNIFORMITY!
Disgraceful, now the military is caving in to this dictator in chief.
To me this the worse thing I ever seen as a veteran this is the USA Muslims are the enemy I hope that is a Iraqi soldier in Iraq not in the states
Wrong!!!!
How will the helmet fit to protect his head unless he will wrap the turban around his helmet. Ban that $#%&!@*!
I can’t understand why any Military Branch would change their rules & regulations to fit what a minority wants. If you join any military branch, you follow the rules & regulations that have been in place for many, many years. If you don’t like these rules, then don’t join. The Muslims should have their head & beards shaved on entry to the military, it’s done to the white & blacks. What makes the Muslims so special?? My ex-husband was in the Navy for 25 years, he certainly received no special treatment. He followed the rules.
Except Christians can’t wear crosses. They’re all supposed to be alike… code uniform and nothing else.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?????????
What is really wrong with America is that they let a man that was never born in the United States of America into office and let him stay into office so he can destroy America like he is doing now and nothing is being done ..still to this day all there is all talk not action
why now?