Help to Fully Accept Sikhs in the US Military

"The message of the Sikh faith, although peaceful, has a strong theme of justice and upholding human rights running through it." My dear friend's cousin, Major Kamaljit Khalsi, will be going in front of congress to fight for Sikhs Service in the US Military. We need 100,000 signatures but are only at 5700. Please sign the petition and please share with your friends and family to help everyone. This isn't only for Sikhs but anyone from different faiths that look to join and serve their country."

To:

We, the undersigned individuals, respectfully call on your Administration to give devout Sikh Americans an equal opportunity to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Sikh community has been an integral part of the American fabric for over a century and made numerous contributions to the progress and prosperity of our society, including a proud tradition of military service dating back to World War I. Unfortunately, the U.S. military effectively banned devout Sikh soldiers from serving in the 1980s and continues to severely limit their ability to do so.

As you are aware, the U.S. Army recently made limited progress by granting three Sikh soldiers the opportunity to serve while wearing turbans and maintaining unshorn hair and beards in accordance with their religion. Two of these patriotic Americans have served in Afghanistan. One received a Bronze Star Medal for his service, and another earned a NATO Commendation Medal.

America’s allies, including Great Britain, Canada, and India, presumptively allow Sikhs to serve in their militaries. By allowing devout Sikhs to serve with their articles of faith intact, America's military can project core values of pluralism and equal opportunity to the world and expand its pool of qualified soldiers. We therefore call on you to end the presumptive ban on devout Sikh soldiers in the U.S. Armed Forces so that patriotic Sikh Americans can freely serve the nation they love.

No. While all sorts of devout folks serve, none require special treatment.

Be devout but be part of the team. My Christian faith was never an issue, as my performance of my craft was what defined my service over some 22 years. Fellow Soldiers knew who I was by both my actions and my conversation, but I did not expect to be able to be treated any differently than the atheist or agnostic etc I fought alongside.

My heritage was secure in my own mind and heart, not in some external display.

We would not let a Ghurka wear his Kukri either....

The bottom line is that Sikhs make superb soldiers in every army they belong to. Being a soldier is highly respected among Sikhs, and they are intensely loyal. Those who are not soldiers tend to be middle class entrepreneurs and professionals.

The formerly British, now Indian Sikh Regiment is one of the most highly decorated regiments in the world.

Sikhs fought in World War I and II.

Because of prejudice against them they were forced out of the US military in the 1980s, over demands that they shave and not wear their olive-drab turbans, and they were very unhappy about this discrimination. When the rules were changed to permit their return they celebrated, and the first Sikh graduate of a US military school was held up as a semi-hero and role model.

From my own experience, every Sikh soldier I’ve met was disciplined, their uniform was perfect, their attitude good, they were capable in their duties, and they were motivated to be good soldiers.

"...they were forced out of the US military in the 1980s, over demands that they shave and not wear their olive-drab turbans, and they were very unhappy about this discrimination..."

I would be astonished to learn that any Sikhs were serving in the US military general ranks anywhere in the 1980's while wearing turbans, beards and daggers.

If they were serving, I am certain they would have been clean shaven and not wearing turbans or carrying daggers. More likely, a group probably began pressuring the military to allow it, and when the military would not allow it, the Sikhs who WERE serving honorably were forced to make a choice by the very people lobbying to quit or no longer be considered a Sikh. Cast out unless they left the military.

But I could be mistaken. Can you provide any information on this?

They value their Sikh regiments for their fighting qualities.

Are you suggesting that we form separate Sikh regiments in the US Army?

We don't do that. The question is whether a Sikh soldier can be held to standards different from the non-Sikh standing next to him. That leads to trouble.

Now, we do have women held to different standards, so I suppose we could say to hell with standards. Which is likely what will happen.

And do you remember *why* Indira Gandhi was so hated by the Sikhs? You might read up a bit on Operation Blue Star.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Blue_Star

Hell, Obama would be on the same footing with Mormons, if he ordered them to raid the Mormon temple at Salt Lake City, before looting and burning out their mountain library of records. That sort of thing don’t make friends.

No, the Sikhs in the US military always wore turbans and had beards, along with the small ceremonial version of their dagger they kept in their pockets.

The US had Sikhs in the Special Forces as well as the regular army, and they preferred to be in combat arms, instead of combat support or combat service support. Their expulsion was rapid, because not a single one of them would give up their turban or beard.

No, I am not proposing a Sikh regiment in the US army. And Sikhs in the US army have very few disciplinary problems, so if somebody has heartburn with their turban or beard, it would be them that has the problem.

And no, uniformity has little or no meaning, beyond uniforms, because soldiers are tall and short, all races, several religions as well as atheists. Many black male soldiers have “shaving profiles”, caused by Pseudofolliculitis barbae, which means that they cannot shave every day, and even so, their faces are covered by scarring.

Having a turban and beard becomes even less a problem the higher the rank of the Sikh. The last one I saw in the Army was a Master Sergeant, Green Beret, in the Special Forces Reserves.

Yeah, Yeah, and a couple more to go with him.

Yes, Muslims also serve in the Military. Most of them with honor.

Speaking of Muslims in the military - what’s the count now? You know, Muslim service members who’ve killed other Americans?

Hasan got 13 by himself and injured around 30 more.

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