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Army Approves Sikh Soldier To Serve While Wearing Turban, Beard
TownHall ^ | 4/1/2016 | Christine Rousselle

Posted on 04/01/2016 5:43:35 PM PDT by BlackFemaleArmyColonel

In what is fantastic news for religious liberty, the U.S. Army granted a Sikh soldier a long-term accommodation to serve in the military while wearing a beard and turban. Captain Simratpal Singh, a West Point graduate who received a Bronze Star in Afghanistan, had previously cut his hair and beard while serving, but filed a request for accommodation in October of 2015. That accommodation was granted today.

As part of the accommodation, the turbans worn have to be either black or camouflage.

Three other Sikhs are seeking a similar accommodation before beginning Basic Combat Training, but according to the Sikh Coalition, these requests have been ignored.

The government should be doing everything possible to allow for religious liberty. Captain Singh is clearly an accomplished soldier, and a beard and turban won't have a negative effect on this.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bfac; sikh
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

Bad decision. Next will be Muslim’s request for those towel things they wear. Transgenders will wear whatever it is they wear, etc.


41 posted on 04/01/2016 6:49:56 PM PDT by jch10 (Hillary in the Big House, not the White House .)
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To: Vesparado
The issue isn't the reg per se but can a face mask be sealed. It can.

Really?

Perhaps with a can of "Great Stuff".


42 posted on 04/01/2016 6:50:48 PM PDT by BwanaNdege
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To: Future Snake Eater

These variations are a real problem for commanders at Company level. This crap does not go over well in Infantry companies. If this country wants a Sikh unit like the Brits had fine have one. Do not push this crap on everyone. This country has gone mad. It is time to go back to mid 60 rules and the ten commandments. The Army needs to get back to the early 60’s and before and adhere to the damn UCMJ.


43 posted on 04/01/2016 6:52:46 PM PDT by Lumper20 (Lyin Ted lies more then Hillary)
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To: Lumper20

There’s something coming up about the military on Fox-—10PM.

A Bret Baier special.

.


44 posted on 04/01/2016 6:54:29 PM PDT by Mears
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To: ichabod1

Fair enough, I’m simply saying, exemptions have been made for Sikhs, Muslims and a Rabbi in recent years. If a religious exemption is acceptable for them, I can’t fault this guy for seeking the same treatment. I personally look at it like this, either being clean shaven is of the utmost importance, or it isn’t. Given previous exemptions, I’m led to believe that it isn’t.


45 posted on 04/01/2016 6:58:33 PM PDT by PVT4evr ((Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-2008, 2009-2010 3rd Infantry, 2010 2nd Infantry))
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

In what is fantastic news for religious liberty...

In what is fantastic news for political correctness and the continuing deterioration of military standards...


46 posted on 04/01/2016 7:06:45 PM PDT by Iron Munro (Noah: 'When the animals began to pair up by specie and stand in line, I really took notice.')
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

They’re going to need custom made helmets.


47 posted on 04/01/2016 7:07:35 PM PDT by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again,")
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

Issue him an oversized helmet to fit over the turban. Or mould a turban out of kevlar.


48 posted on 04/01/2016 7:12:01 PM PDT by Mr. Blond
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To: fella

Just issue Kevlar cloth for the turbans.


49 posted on 04/01/2016 7:12:48 PM PDT by hoosierham (Freedom isn't free)
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To: Vesparado

Very bad decision, IMHO.


50 posted on 04/01/2016 7:16:00 PM PDT by BlackFemaleArmyColonel (I am so very blessed! Thank You, JESUS!)
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To: Mears

Thanks. I wonder about little Bret. He seems to appear a bit effeminate at times.


51 posted on 04/01/2016 7:18:00 PM PDT by Lumper20 (Lyin Ted lies more then Hillary)
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To: Anoreth

I see your ignorance is evident.

Although awards don’t matter in this discussion, the number and type of awards I have received in my 29 year military career could never be obtained by someone like you.

Save your nonsense for another thread.


52 posted on 04/01/2016 7:20:01 PM PDT by BlackFemaleArmyColonel (I am so very blessed! Thank You, JESUS!)
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To: where's_the_Outrage?

Very true.


53 posted on 04/01/2016 7:20:43 PM PDT by BlackFemaleArmyColonel (I am so very blessed! Thank You, JESUS!)
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To: Lumper20

But it’s not the ‘60s anymore, and a Sikh unit would be decried as segregationist. This is our reality now. Would a different CinC push back on this? Would it matter? Or would the courts make it happen anyway?


54 posted on 04/01/2016 7:20:45 PM PDT by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

I don’t see what is wrong with having a well trimmed beard in the Army.


55 posted on 04/01/2016 7:24:48 PM PDT by castlegreyskull
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To: PVT4evr

Appearance and not standing out is often what saves your ass in combat. We damn sure don’t need a bunch of folks wearing different hats, facial hair etc, going out on combat patrol. That crap can get you killed. Hell Sikh’s are not Gurkha’s.


56 posted on 04/01/2016 7:25:15 PM PDT by Lumper20 (Lyin Ted lies more then Hillary)
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To: Newbomb Turk

It is getting sad.


57 posted on 04/01/2016 7:26:09 PM PDT by Lumper20 (Lyin Ted lies more then Hillary)
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To: Newbomb Turk

It is getting sad.


58 posted on 04/01/2016 7:26:11 PM PDT by Lumper20 (Lyin Ted lies more then Hillary)
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To: Mr. Blond

I am sure we can make a helmet look like a turban.


59 posted on 04/01/2016 7:27:02 PM PDT by castlegreyskull
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To: BlackFemaleArmyCaptain

Will Rastafarians be allowed to wear their Dreds?


60 posted on 04/01/2016 7:30:25 PM PDT by Captain Compassion
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