The Pentagon has approved a new policy that will allow troops to wear turbans and other religious clothing and engage in religious observances.
Until now there has been no set policy in the military to allow accommodations for religion.
Soldiers must apply for a waiver to be able to wear their religious garment or engage in a specific religious activity, which the military says they will take on a case-by-case basis.
The Pentagon has approved a new policy that will allow troops to seek waivers to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices.Defense officials say the waivers will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will depend on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.
Until now there has been no consistent policy across the military to allow accommodations for religion. Now, for example, Jewish troops can seek a waiver to wear a yarmulke, or Sikhs can seek waivers to wear a turban and grow a beard.
Others can request specific prayer times or ask that they be allowed to carry prayer beads or other items.
The policy also says that service members can choose not to recognize any religion, according to NBC News.
According to Defense Department statistics obtained by NBC, there are only three Sikh Americans in the military. There are about 3,700 Muslims. 6,300 Buddhists, and 1,500 Wiccans.
The directive stresses that “the importance of uniformity and adhering to standards, of putting unit before self, is more significant and needs to be carefully evaluated when considering each request for accommodation,” according to NBC.
This is BULL$#%&!@* !!!!
No, turbans.
no $#%&!@*s, wrong direction! get your heads out of your asses!
This is insane!! Stop giving in to others!! This is America!! Conform OR leave!! Don’t want or need YOU!!
But our military is not allowed to speak the name “Jesus” or “God” or have a bible. Can anyone explain this discrepancy?
Ya how about this ..so called dumb army just let all the stupid ignorant people that get to enjoy OUR freedoms earn it themselves
This is friggin nuts
But they won’t let you have a bible…hmmm
To everyone of all religions i hope. One more thing, the uniformed service is called that for a reason. They all wear the same uniform.
WE DO NOT NEED THEM IN THE MILITARY