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.
all except for christians, the ones with the turbines will fire on american ciotizens believe it
Oh except for Christian articles of clothing such as a pocket Bible or a Cross.
This is not right. Just not right!
This c**p must be stopped now. I could care less about your beliefs about wearing a turban or a beard. We have or have had the best military in the world and now the communist thug muslims want to destroy everything. Time to fight for our rights and freedom. If you’re with us, that’s fine. If you’re against us then Get the hell out of America or start watching your slimy as backside.
Maybe you will be able to wear pink if you like
NOT acceptable
They’re doing their very BEST to ***$#%&!@**** on American servicemen (and women). How long until the military brass (that still honor their oaths and haven’t been fired) march on D.C., and take out “the trash???” SOON, I hope…….
the old military, is the only way to go. the hell with this other bull $#%&!@*. come on AMERICA. stop the bull.
Wrong, so wrong. It is called a UNIFORM for a reason.Jews serving in the military never made an issue of their religious beanie.