U.S. Army Captain is Sikh and allowed to wear beard and turban in uniform

I think Sikhs are allowed to wear Turbans and Beards in the Indian Army  and possibly the

Nepali Army too.

The Sikh religion is an interesting one that is a blend of Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and most other religions including Buddhism. It is one of the most eclectic religions on earth. I'm writing this so people understand they are not a threat to the U.S. anywhere they are on earth. People think a Turban means they are Muslims. This is not the case with a Sikh because in addition to Muslims they are Hindus and Christians and Buddhists too. It is a very interesting and progressive religion originally created to stop Hindus and Muslims from killing each other in India.

 

 

 

begin quote from:

Sikh Army captain allowed to wear beard and turban in uniform · 18h

(CNN)For close to a decade, Simratpal Singh felt torn between the ideals of his faith and those of the U.S. Army. No more. The Army has granted Capt. Singh, a Sikh, permission to serve while wearing a turban over his long hair …

 

Sikh Army captain allowed to wear beard and turban in uniform

By Nadeen Shaker, For CNN

Updated 2257 GMT (0557 HKT) April 5, 2016

Capt. Simratpal Singh is a decorated combat veteran.

Story highlights

• Simratpal Singh is reportedly the first active duty soldier to seek the accommodation and receive it while serving in the Army
• Turbans, unshorn hair and beards have a deep spiritual meaning for Sikh men
• "As a kid, you are told, you can be anything in the U.S., and that rings through even more now," Singh says

(CNN)For close to a decade, Simratpal Singh felt torn between the ideals of his faith and those of the U.S. Army.

No more.

The Army has granted Capt. Singh, a Sikh, permission to serve while wearing a turban over his long hair and a beard with his uniform.

He is the first active duty soldier to seek the accommodation and receive it while serving in the Army, according to The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh American advocacy organization in the United States.

Opinion: The right to serve in military shouldn't be hindered by faith

"I had a childhood fascination with the Army," Singh told CNN. "The Sikh concept of standing up for the weak and defending the defenseless is very much at the core of the Sikh psyche, and those are same ideals that the U.S. Army upholds."

Singh initially asked the Army for an exemption in October and was granted a temporary exemption in December. As it was about to expire in February, he was asked to report for additional gas and helmet testing, beyond the basic testing typically required.

Sikh student sues U.S. Army, says ROTC enlistment blocked because of his faith

Singh, 28, then filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense. He was granted the exemption last week.

Turbans, unshorn hair and beards have a deep spiritual meaning for Sikh men. They represent a commitment to service and justice. Sikh men have worn turbans since 1699, when the last living guru bestowed on the clothing item a unique Sikh identity.

Assistant Secretary of the Army Debra Wada explained the religious accommodation in a memorandum. The exception is subject to some limitations.

"While assigned or performing non-hazardous duties, you may wear a beard, turban, and uncut hair in a neat and conservative manner that presents a professional and well-groomed appearance," she wrote.

Unlikely recruit becomes top legal adviser in the U.S. Army

"Because of the Army's interest in mission accomplishment, which requires military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health, and safety on both the individual and unit levels, I have requested that your command provide quarterly assessments of the effect of your accommodation, if any, on unit cohesion and morale, good order and discipline, health and safety, and individual and unit readiness."

Combat veteran served in Afghanistan

Singh, a decorated combat veteran, has been in the Army for 10 years, first as a cadet and now as a commissioned officer. In 2012, he was deployed to Afghanistan. Throughout his service, Singh adhered to the Army's grooming and appearance regulations.

When he started at West Point at 18 and learned he would have to shave, he says he was shocked: "My life was shattered in only 10 minutes."

U.S. military generals want women to register for draft

Singh came to the United States from Punjab, India, when he was 9. His family moved from California to Seattle. He attended West Point from 2006 to 2010 and graduated with honors. Singh received a Bronze Star for his tour in Afghanistan.

He is now serving and living in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he is an assistant operations officer on the 249th Engineer Battalion.

Singh hopes his actions will be an inspiration to others.

"As a kid, you are told, you can be anything in the U.S., and that rings through even more now," he said.