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.
TWF just go ahead and put terrorist in our military!
does this mean that the military can now wear crosses and Stars of David around their neck?
Funny, because while you are spewing hateful comments about this guy, he is saving the lives of Soldiers. If you had read more into this back when he had actually commissioned, you would have learned that he is a Doctor and not a grunt. The ignorance here is disgraceful and you should feel ashamed of yourselves for saying this man’s service is tainted or messed up.
HORSE$#%&!@*>
no this is America, they must change to our way not the other way around
Gee, I wonder who’s behind that…?
How come the Christians cannot have Bibles? Why
If you are in the U. S. Army you should wear the same uniform and head gear.
No more uniformity means division in the military……. Not a good thing! Accommodating Muslims!
No way keep it clean and if they wanna join then make them change.