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.
I take it they will be accomodating all religions that are non-Christian. Will probably ban it soon. We want our prayers and our crosses back!
THIS IS MORE LIBERAL SOCIALIST BS
I agree Dennis Dunn, with all the political correctness and not stressing trainees, and trying to conform to the needs of the individual, what is the need for discipline, breaking Joe down to rebuild him in the Army’s image (or other branch of service), or AR670-1. If we as a society keep giving in and getting lax on these young people today, we as a Nation will have nothing left, so I guess tradition will mean nothing. It is not supposed to be about individuality, but unity and cohesiveness!
this is so sad but if they wear them you will know who is protecting your back and if they are not loyal HANG THEM
Is that for all ?
They talk about a Christen can’t pray and they are going to along this?????????
Obama… If it applied to every religion, it would be different. Now he’s messing with our military.. Good call dumb ass.. And he isn’t done. The pledge of allegiance will be a thing of the past by Christmas… Excuse me, Xmas.. Don’t wanna offend anyone..
Bad bad human..
OK WE TRAINED AL QAEDA AND LOOK WHAT HAPPEN AN NOW WERE LETTING MORE IN TO OUR MILITARY> HOW STUPID IS OUR GOVERNMENT??? to all those who have served hope you have had enough calling my congressmen an DEMANDING A BACK CHECK FOR THE SAME AMOUNT THEY ARE PAYING THE HIRED GUNS 1.5 MILLION FOR THE FIRST YEAR AN SO ON!!
That is AFU mode. I hope that when Obama is gone, this gets reversed.