Sikhs Challenge U.S. Army's Ban on Turbans, Beards [Nudists Next?]

AP Report ^ | June 14, 2009

[allmost]

Give Sikhs a pass. Just my opinion.

[Ken522]

"I'm an American, ...

Then act like one - shave the beard ...

[allmost]

Not right.

[neodad]

The problem is a very slippery slope.

[VicVega]

Really appreciate your patriotism, now remove the Sikhs so we can give you a buzz cut and issue you a nice helmet.

[omega4179]

“I’m an American, there’s no reason why I can’t serve,” Kalsi, 32, said.
He’s right, he should follow the rules like every American that wants to serve and that starts with a haircut.

[2ndDivisionVet]

That's Sikh!!

[Cheetahcat]

Conform to military standards or get out!

[Perdogg]

the RCMP had the same issue in 1994 - They caved.

[icwhatudo]

Agreed. Some great soldiers and allies.

[Blogger]

They shouldnt have to shave the beard. Sikhs are very patriotc. All the great Civil war generals had a beard. It is a modern invention that really doesn’t help or hurt one’s ability to be a soldier. They way the sikhs deal with their hair, I don’t think is really an issue as well, unless they can’t get it under a helmet.

[donmeaker]

When I was in the Army we had Sikhs. They wore their sword as a photograph. The underwear we didn’t care about. The olive drab turban fit nicely under their helmets. Beards were trimmed so that gas masks fit.

[donmeaker]

Gas masks have to seal. That can be achieved with a trimmed beard.

[I_Like_Spam]

A beard is less disruptive than open, practicing homosexuals in uniform.

Since the latter is already supposed to be coming down, I can’t see a problem with giving into the Sikhs on this one.

[CaptRon]

Rules exist for a reason. If you can’t obey them, do not enlist.

[Balding_Eagle]

It must have been a terrible shock to him when he found out he wouldn’t be the first soldier to be allowed to have a beard.

[CaptRon]

Gas masks, helmets fitting, all of the rules appplying to everyone equally...

[Blogger]

And so they can be modified. Israel is doing it.

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2009/04/sikhs-ask-to-serve-in-army-des.php

[ConorMacNessa]

By virtue of Admiral Zumwalt's directives, I was allowed to have a beard the last two years I was in the Navy. When I was in combat, we shaved irregularly, including the officers. I don't see facial hair as an impediment to military discipline.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!