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Title only. Breaking.

The Army will make an exception to a decades-old rule and allow a Sikh doctor to serve without removing his turban and cutting his hair, an advocacy group said Friday. The doctor, Capt. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi of Riverdale, N.J., is the first Sikh to be allowed to go on active duty with a turban, beard and unshorn hair in more than 20 years, the New York-based Sikh Coalition said.The decision does not overturn an Army policy from the 1980s that regulates the wearing of religious items, the acting deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Gina Farrisee, wrote in a letter...

Sikhs Challenge U.S. Army's Ban on Turbans, Beards Sunday, June 14, 2009 NEW YORK — Military service is in Capt. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi's blood. His father and grandfather were part of India's Air Force. His great-grandfather served in the army in India under the British. So when U.S. Army recruiters talked to him during his first year of medical school, he readily signed up. But his plans to go on active duty in July are now on hold. An Army policy from the 1980s that regulates the wearing of religious items would mean he would need to shave his beard...

NEW YORK -- Military service is in Capt. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi's blood. But his plans to go on active duty in July are now on hold. An Army policy from the 1980s that regulates the wearing of religious items would mean he would need to shave his beard and remove the turban he wears in accordance with his religious precepts. Sikhs have a long history with the U.S. military, serving in World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and in the Persian Gulf.

Note: The following text is a quote: Justice Department Files Religious Discrimination Lawsuit Against Essex County, New Jersey County Refused to Accommodate Muslim Employee’s Religious Headcovering The Department filed a lawsuit today against Essex County, N.J., alleging that it discriminated against a Muslim corrections officer on the basis of her religion in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The suit alleges that the county refused to permit Yvette Beshier to wear a religiously mandated headscarf while working as a corrections officer. Title VII prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin...

Marine fights to wear dress blues at high school graduation April 10, 2009 Marine Pfc. Garrett Miles-McCarthy graduated from boot camp in San Diego only last month but he is already in his first battle: against his hometown school board. The 18-year-old wants to wear his dress blues uniform at his high school graduation ceremony in El Paso, Texas. He finished his coursework in December and immediately shipped out to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. School officials have said no, that all grads have to wear cap and gown, no exceptions. The mayor, a local congressman and others are...

A Seattle man who was arrested wearing a King County Sheriff's Office-issued jumpsuit and bullet-resistant vest was charged Thursday in an attempted drug robbery. According to police, Jason M. Lusher, 38, forced his way into a North Seattle home early Tuesday morning while armed with an AK-47-style assault rifle. Lusher was wearing sheriff's office garb apparently issued to his father, a retired sergeant. In court documents, investigators assert that Lusher broke down the door with the butt of his rifle before accosting a woman living in the home. Police say Lusher later admitted to officers that he was looking for...

Patriotic helmet needs to go, Newton Fire Chief says By Ben Terris, Globe Correspondent A veteran of the Iraq War, Richard Busa is used to fighting for the American flag. But never quite like this. After more than three years of rushing into fires with his signature red, white and blue helmet, the Newton firefighter has been told to paint it black. Newton Fire Chief Joseph LaCroix wants the patriotic decoration gone, saying it does not conform to the department's rules.

BAGHDAD – Two American servicemen were killed Tuesday when a gunman in an Iraqi army uniform opened fire while they were distributing humanitarian aid in northern Iraq, the U.S. military said. It was the third such shooting in the Mosul area in less than a year purportedly involving Iraqi soldiers, raising concerns about infiltration of the Iraqi security forces in one of the most dangerous areas in Iraq. The shooting, southwest of Mosul near the Syrian border, came on the eve of a parliament vote on a pact that would allow American troops to remain in Iraq three more years....

New AF Dress Coat Left Flapping in the Wind It could just be that the Air Force is entering an era that, in part, will be defined by what will not be a hot-button issue: uniforms. "First things first," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz responded Sept. 17 when asked by Military.com whether uniforms -- new ones or modifications to current dress -- will be relegated to the back burner during his tenure. Schwartz, who had just listened as his major command chiefs offered up a list of things the Air Force needs today-right-now-thank-you-very much -- including new...

Man accused of posing as Dodger on field LOS ANGELES — A man faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing a uniform from Dodger Stadium and posing as one of the team's players. Ronald Higgins pleaded not guilty to several charges Friday, including burglary and trespassing. The 47-year-old Higgins was arrested Wednesday morning after a security guard found him walking on the field in a Dodgers uniform and holding a glove with two balls. Higgins allegedly identified himself as a Dodgers player, but the guard recognized him from an earlier incident and called police. Prosecutors say Higgins' clothes were later found...

HEIDELBERG, Germany, Sept. 19, 2008 – Though he’s never regretted joining the Army, a soldier here said, his decision never felt more right than when he faced the greatest challenge of his life: battling cancer. It’s been almost nine years since Army doctors found a grapefruit-sized tumor growing in Sgt. 1st Class James Jordan’s chest. He was 33 then and stationed in South Korea. Today, Jordan has survived two bouts with cancer and is planning a long career before retiring from the Army. "I love the Army," said Jordan, a senior paralegal for the Europe Regional Medical Command judge advocate...

Because I'm pointing you to the Army Times and they are on the list of "News Organs" that don't want any of their words post on FR I can only point you to the Army Times web site. You'll enjoy the words that the troops are giving to whoever made the decision (if you can call it that) to do away with the Class A Greens and go to a Junked Up Dress Blue uniform. Army Times

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Aug. 25, 2008) -- Out with the old, in with the blue. The Army has made it official; the green service uniform, which has defined the service since the mid-1950s, is on the outs. In place of the green uniform will be a variation of the blue uniform, something many Soldiers already own. Official word on the new "Army Service Uniform," or ASU, was released Aug. 20 in a message to all Army activities. The message defines the wear policy and the "bridging" strategy for transition to the new uniform. "It's a culmination of transformation efforts...

The Browns will wear brown pants for the first time in team history during Monday night's nationally-televised preseason game against the New York Giants at Giants Stadium. The pants are the same color of "darker" brown that's on the plain socks the Browns have worn in recent seasons. They contain no stripes or markings. They will be wearing those socks again on Monday, with their traditional white jerseys and orange helmets, and also the black shoes they started wearing again in 2006. The team had the brown pants created as an option for their away uniform when they integrated the...

BLOOMER, Wis. - A new Marine who's graduating from Bloomer High School this month won't be able to wear his military uniform during the commencement ceremony.

Springfield's men in black are returning. The city's new police commissioner, William Fitchet, says members of the department's Street Crime Unit will again don black, military-style uniforms as part of his strategy to deal with youth violence.

SELDOM has the sacrifice of so many been so sneered at by such a worthless few. Barely a week goes by without one or more brave members of our Armed Forces giving their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan. We at The Sun SALUTE our heroic Boys and Girls – and today declare the ban on them wearing their proud uniforms in public an INSULT. Last night PM Gordon Brown slammed a barmy order that 2,000 RAF personnel must don civvies on a city’s streets to avoid confrontations with “antiwar” thugs. The same cowardly minority of hooligans have spat at and...

The New Calendar of People's Liberation Army

I joined the MT National Guard last month. I was supposed to drill tomorrow, but they changed it for me to tonight. I just got my uniforms 10 minutes ago. The patches were rubber-banded together. I'm not sure which patch goes where. I have two for my last name and 1 that says "US Army" I also have a circular, which looks something like a sunburst over a mountain top. I'm not sure though and as far as I can tell it could be up-side down. I don't want to look like a dork! Can anyone help me?

A follow up on the East Texas Marine that had his car stolen. 20 year old Blake Weller, a Marine from Whitehouse, is on leave and, just three days ago, his car was stolen along with his uniform and medals, including a purple heart. Police were able to get his car back and now the suspected thief is in jail. But Blake said he is still missing the thing most important to him. About 5:45am Monday morning Blake received quite a wake up call. "I received a phone call from Tyler PD and they said they have recovered my car...

SAN DIEGO — Leather belts with brass buckles are out; nylon belts with quick-release plastic buckles are in. Slacks are out; lightweight cargo pants are in. Shiny badges and nameplates are out; cloth patches are in. The Border Patrol uniform is getting its first makeover since the 1950s to look more like military fatigues and less like a police officer's duty garb. The new uniform, introduced this week, reflects how illegal border crossings have changed in the last decade. As enforcement heightened, routes moved from the streets of San Diego and other border cities to unforgiving, often remote mountains and...

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Florida man described as patriotic, who faced prison time for wearing a U.S. Army uniform at Orlando International Airport, won a legal battle Thursday when an Orange County, Fla., judge ruled the state law unconstitutional. In May, Fernando Montas, who is not a member of the military, was arrested at OIA for violating a state law prohibiting civilians from wearing military clothing. "My client is patriotic with what is going on overseas and he is proud to be in this country and was basically exercising his First Amendment rights to freedom of speech," Montas' attorney Rajan...

Session 117 - (2007-2008) S 0486 General Bill, By Hayes A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SUBARTICLE 9 TO ARTICLE 3, CHAPTER 7, TITLE 20 SO AS TO ENACT THE "UNIFORM CHILD ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT" TO PROVIDE A LEGAL MECHANISM TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CREDIBLE RISKS OF ABDUCTION RELATED TO A LEGAL CUSTODY OR VISITATION. View full text 02/22/07 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-8 02/22/07 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-8 03/01/07 Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Ritchie (ch), Rankin, Lourie, Scott (A) When determining the existence of a credible...

Colorado Governor Ritter Signs 26 Bills Into Law Today May 14, 2007 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed 26 bills into law today, including the second-parent adoption and human-sexuality education bills. More than 200 additional bills are pending before the governor, with a deadline of June 4. The bills signed today and their sponsors: HB 1019, Carriers Exempt Public Utilities (Rep. Mike Cerbo and Sen. Joan Fitz-Gerald) HB 1141, Purchase of Metals Record Keeping (Rep. Nancy Todd, Sen. Suzanne Williams) HB 1156, Disclose Source Residential Water Supply (Rep. Marsha Looper, Sen. Ken Gordon) HB 1174, Repeal Sunset Concealed Carry Database...

When a Napa seventh-grader was cited for wearing Winnie the Pooh-themed socks in class and struck back with a lawsuit, it marked an odd but not unprecedented clash in the decadelong spread of dress codes and uniform policies at public schools. The seventh-grader and five other students at Redwood Middle School, along with their parents, say the school's dress code is so strict that it amounts to a uniform policy. California law allows parents to opt out of dressing children in uniforms -- a choice that Redwood Middle School doesn't offer. The case, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union,...

A four-person team from Canada were on Fort Huachuca last week gathering information for a potential new NATO camouflage uniform designed for semi-arid urban terrain. Taking measurements from left were Chad Young, Marie Yelle-Whitwam and Bob Balma. In the background is Lt. Liegh Mathieson. (Bill Hess-Herald/Review) Herald/Review FORT HUACHUCA — Battlefields are not neat and tidy places to take a casual stroll. Be it in an open field or a crowded city street, soldiers are constantly in danger from a well-aimed gun shot or an explosive device triggered by a opponent. How to veil their presence from an enemy as...

I have a friend running for office in Virginia. He serves in the United States Navy Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander. He has used pictures of himself in uniform in some of his campaign literature, because he is proud of his service to our country. But a local blogger is claiming that doing so violates the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He has never appeared in uniform for any campaign activity -- everybody acknowledges that. It's also clear a person who is retired from the military can use pictures of themselves in military uniforms -- we have ample evidence of...

    Excitement heating up over new extended-cold-weather gear Dec 15, 2006 BY Donna Miles Sgt. Seth Paul and his wife, Sgt. Katja Paul, both military police officers with the Alaska Army Guard's 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Fort Greely, call the Army's new Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System the perfect answer to extreme conditions they face in Alaska. Photo by William D. Moss FORT GREELEY, Alaska (Army News Service, Dec. 15, 2006) - Members of the Alaska Army National Guard here are sizzling with excitement about their new cold weather gear that keeps them toasty warm...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2006 – About 92 percent of Iraq’s 188,000 Ministry of Interior forces now are trained and equipped, and all Iraqi National Police soon will receive new official uniforms, the commander of the Civilian Police Assistance Training Team told Baghdad reporters today. Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Peterson reported major strides in preparing Iraq’s police elements for their security mission. Among Iraqi police, the largest group of Interior Ministry forces, about 90 percent are trained and 83 percent equipped, he reported. Those operating in nine key Iraqi cities U.S. forces have been working with are about 99 percent equipped....

The U.S. military unveiled a new uniform Monday for Iraq's national police that will be difficult to copy -- a move aimed at preventing insurgents, death squads, and common criminals from impersonating officers. The new bluish-gray uniform, presented to reporters by Maj. Gen. Joseph Peterson, is similar to that worn by U.S. soldiers but with the Iraqi flag embedded in the fabric's print. It will be issued beginning in October. "This one is very hard to duplicate. It is very distinctive," said Peterson, who is in charge of training the Iraqi national police. The current uniforms are easy to copy...

Violates Military Uniform Code by wearing uniform while campaigning, Wears officer's uniform that does not match rank at which he retired HARRISBURG - Republican State Committee Executive Director Scott Migli today questioned Joe Sestak, Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, for his repeated violations of federal law and U.S. Navy regulations as it relates to appropriate conduct for the wearing of military uniforms. Those violations include wearing his uniform while engaged in campaign activities and wearing a uniform that displays a rank above what the grade at which he retired from service. "Joe Sestak's improper use of the military...

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2006 – Servicemembers in uniform can now watch their favorite World Wrestling Entertainment superstars in action free of charge. World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Booker T. performs before thousands of excited servicemembers at the 2004 "Tribute to the Troops" tour in Iraq. Photo courtesy of WWE  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. World Wrestling Entertainment is offering all U.S. military personnel from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Reserves and National Guard a complimentary ticket to a live WWE event in their local area, provided they come dressed in uniform with a military ID. Tickets are available...

Stop saying “HAPPY Memorial Day” By Jeff Seeber I hope I live long enough to be able to get through the month of May just once without some moron sending me a HAPPY Memorial Day e-mail or hearing some idiot wishing people a HAPPY Memorial Day. It’s bad enough I’m reminded every May and every November that very few Americans know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but expecting me to remain silent about the growing trend to turn Memorial Day into some sort of celebration is asking too much. I usually chagrin and bear it, but I’m...

The U.S. Army plans to eliminate the green uniform worn by its soldiers for more than 100 years and return to the traditional blue worn by those fighting the Revolutionary War. Everyday uniforms will include a dark blue jacket, light blue trousers and gray shirt, the Army said. Formal occasions will require a white shirt; soldiers' dress uniforms are already blue. Soldiers will begin wearing the new attire by the middle of next year and all soldiers must have it by the end of 2011, the Army said. The change will simplify the uniform, the Army chief of staff, Gen....

June 15 -- The U.S. Army plans to eliminate the green uniform worn by its soldiers for more than 100 years and switch back to traditional blue worn by those fighting the Revolutionary War. Everyday-wear uniforms will include a dark blue jacket, light blue trousers and grey shirt, the Army said. Soldiers' dress uniforms are already blue. Soldiers will begin wearing the new garb by the middle of next and all soldiers must have them by the end of 2011, the Army said. A date for eliminating the green uniform hasn't been set. The change will simplify the uniform, Army...

Army service uniforms will be streamlined to one blue Army Service Uniform, the Army announced today. “World-class Soldiers deserve a simplified, quality uniform. The blue Army Service Uniform is a traditional uniform that is consistent with the Army’s most honored traditions,” said Sgt. Maj. Of the Army Kenneth O. Preston. “We have all of these variations of uniforms – green, blue and white,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker. “It makes sense for us to go to one traditional uniform that is really sharp and high quality and which Soldiers will be very proud to wear. And...

I grew up land-locked and developed an intense interest in reading sea stories from an early age. Prior to my coming along, everyone in my family who served, did so in the Army. I enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1968 at the age of 18.One thing about serving in the military, one's wardrobe undergoes a complete overhaul, right down to the skivvies.I remember that first day at bootcamp where I stood outside with my Company, a big pile of new clothing at my feet and a new seabag to put it in after every piece of it was...

The First Look at the Vikings New Uniforms

BAGHDAD - It doesn‘t cost a lot to set up your own death squad in Iraq . Military uniforms, guns and even police vehicles are easily available to all comers in the markets of Baghdad. In a city where gangs of men dressed as police have killed dozens of people and stolen tens of thousands of dollars, anyone with a modest amount of cash can set up their own fake squad. At Baghdad‘s Bab al-Sharjee market, a haven for criminals, anyone can walk into one of about 15 shops selling police and military supplies and buy a police commando uniform...

You'll hear a lot of mottos in the military. One key phrase is "hurry up and wait," which definitely applied to the friends and families of 29 Marines returning from Iraq Tuesday. They spent a couple extra hours waiting at Fort Snelling because one Marine had to spend a couple extra hours at a Los Angeles airport. "My surprise was when he told me he wasn't making the flight with the rest of his unit," says Terry Brown, mother of Staff Sergeant Dan Brown. Brown, who has now served two tours of duty in Iraq, couldn't get through LAX security....

Airman Battle Uniform Finalized Air Force Print News | By Master Sgt. Mitch Gettle | March 18, 2006 WASHINGTON - The new Airman Battle Uniform is ready for production and will be available in fiscal 2007, said the Air Force deputy chief of staff of personnel. Many factors were considered in developing the final uniform selection, with the concern for Airmen being at the top of the list, said Brig. Gen Robert R. Allardice. "We were looking for a uniform that would be easier to maintain," he said. "We wanted to provide a uniform that the Airman wouldn't need to spend a...

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2006 – Americans need to recognize the sacrifices made by men and women in the military, whose service has liberated millions of people in the Middle East and made this country more secure, President Bush said yesterday in Wheeling, W.Va. "America has got to appreciate what it means to wear the uniform today and honor those who have volunteered to keep this country strong," Bush said to an audience of military families at the Capitol Music Hall. "All of us should agree with the fact that we have a remarkable country when people who know that they're...

U.S. military uniforms are being made by workers who are poorly paid and lack health insurance coverage, the union that represents garment workers asserted in a report released yesterday. Many of the workers must rely on government programs, such as Medicaid and food stamps, according to the report from Unite Here, which said starting pay at the companies it surveyed averages $5.49 an hour.

CAMP BULLIS, Texas (Army News Service, Feb. 8, 2006) – A world-renowned cardiologist and top-ranked university vice president, Dr. Ward Casscells joined the Army at age 53 and led the service’s research on avian flu before graduating Feb. 3 from his officer basic course. Casscells is a teacher, doctor and champion of humanitarian relief, with countless hours spent tending to victims of hurricanes, tsunamis and terrorist acts. His studies have led to breakthroughs in cardiology, and his years of research on avian flu are now deemed cutting edge as a potential pandemic begins to loom. With more than 30 years...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2006 – Despite general perceptions that National Guard and Reserve troops lose income when called to active duty, most actually earn more in uniform than as civilians, a new Rand Corp. study reveals. The nonprofit research organization's study, commissioned by the Defense Department and released yesterday, shows that 72 percent of the more than 100,000 troops surveyed saw their earnings jump 25 percent when called to active duty. Their average pay hike amounted to about $10,000 a year, Rand officials said. However, Rand researchers also found that 28 percent of reservists studied lost pay after being called...

A military uniform said to have belonged to deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is being offered for sale by a US auction website. The green uniform, with epaulettes bearing the mark of Saddam Hussein's rank in the Iraqi army, has a starting price of $5,000 (£2,900). A US soldier found the item during the assault on Baghdad airport in 2003, according to the website, Manions.com. Saddam Hussein is in US custody facing trial for crimes against humanity. He adopted a variety of garbs during his 24-year reign, sometimes appearing as an Arab sheikh, at others, wearing a modern hat and...

Made in Mexico' Uniforms Cause Many U.S. Border Patrol Agents to Bristle ---WASHINGTON Nov 27, 2005 — The labels inside the U.S. Border Patrol uniforms have been making many federal agents feel uneasy. It's not the fit or feel of the olive-green shirts and pants, but what their labels read: "Made in Mexico." "It's embarrassing to be protecting the U.S.-Mexico border and be wearing a uniform made in Mexico," says T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a 6,500-member union. Agents and lawmakers are concerned about the consequences if the uniforms for agents charged with combating illegal immigration...

San Francisco - A state appeals court ruled that police officers, firefighters and other uniformed government workers must pay for their own uniforms. A Court of Appeal panel in San Francisco upheld an earlier ruling that state and local government workers cannot charge their employers for buying and maintaining uniforms they wear on the job. The First District, Court of Appeal panel rejected arguments that uniformed employees are entitled to reimbursement under an 1872 state law that requires the government to cover all necessary job expenses. The court cited a separate law that holds state employees responsible for buying their...

SANCTUARY (part 1) (If you're new here, welcome. The regulars usually grab some coffee and relax. This will take about an hour, and, as usual, the end point of our journey is not visible from the beginning.) What’s worse than crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage? NOT crawling under your beloved house and seeing the foundations rotten with decades of termite damage. I’ve been away for a while, doing a little thinking. Usually, my thoughts for these past few years have started at home and then taken me to Iraq, and...