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.
Christians are considered a hate group but these people are not. Something isnt right
that is just plain wrong !
Hahahahahaha that’s America for you,,, kill millions because they wear a head covering and get on their knees and pray several times a day and then start making the military wear head wraps… LOL… lmao!!!!!!! What a “joke” this country is!!! Bahahahahaha…..
I thought uniforms are suppose to be all the same.. Wonder what ass munch approved that $#%&!@*?!
What next,the gays are gonna be wearing rainbow berets?
The words of a Stoner,right, Burneice Steele Simmons?
just asking for more terrorism, Obama is getting his way, treating the muslims like brothers to him!
No way. American people are Christians. How can a muslim serve in our military when they are so against our policies and regligion.
Friendly fire!
change nothing