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.
Poor sikhs. I feel so bad for them. Did you know that Sikhs hold yearly homages to the murderers of Indira Gandhi? They are considered "martyrs" of sikhism.
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?
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.