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.
Our military is voluntary, we don’t draft or force anyone to serve. If you volunteer to serve yiu are essentially giving up your rights for a minimum 4 yrs. In other words, when you are on duty, you are like everyone else, shaved head, helmet and body armor. You are not supoosed to have anything on your person that could identify you other than your dog tags. That would include religous items. If you either can’t or won’t give that up, then don’t volunteer.
Chris Krumvieda actually it is an 8 yr. contract. 4 yrs. active duty and 4 yr. inactive. However, it is back to the Vet Nam era 10 yrs. on the contract.
Bull$#%&!@*!
Okay, partially correct. We haven’t drafted since Nam.
Your right about that, however, the guys still have to sign up for selective services. Granted your past the call up age. LOL
Holy $#%&!@*. I can not believe all the hate on here. Th USA has forgot what the founding farthers did for us. If it is not about jesus then $#%&!@* you. I guess if you are not born with the bible up ur ass then u are not a citizen of this country. That is why chistians are the fastest shrinking group in the world.
HELL NO No special privleges for ovomits muslim army.
Yes,i get it, case by case means yes for Muslims to pray whenever they want -no for Christians who want to pray anytime
That is wrong doesn’t does anybody in the pentagon has the balls to stand up for the soldiers and America
Military means….”all alike”….