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 ridiculous. There is supposed to be uniformity Does this mean all GI’s need to start wearing them. Unf&$#ing believable
The Feds are allowing Muslims to be trained to kill with our weapons and our resources.
Even Egypt has disbanded the Muslim Brotherhood. Why can’t we?
US Military Uniforms should never be compromised ! This is more than disgusting ! We need to change this !
muslims can catholic and others can’t funny how that works
Whoooops collateral damage
Ok so Mudslimes can wear their rags on their heads in OUR military, but our kids CANNOT say the word GOD in schools people are being told that flying an AMERICAN FLAG is racist. WTF is happening to our country?!?!?! Gee thanks Obamunist
That is Bull$#%&!@* leave it like it has been for years
Why is the Muslim religion allowed in the military and not Christianity?
I don’t know about you guys but, I wouldn’t want to be wearing the head gear worn by most of our enemies when the $#%&!@* goes down! The Darwin award goes to?