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.
Ok we have surrendered Muslims have won. I’m now sorry I served.
Jjust saying. Wheres the United Christian Army back woods office. Dang its time to get real . Bible says if your about to be killed .. you have right to kill the one trying to kill you first. Cary ur Bible. Gee were old enough it should be well read by now and if your a for real christian you should be highly skilled in what to do when its your turn anywhere any time. In Jesus Name the principles of warfare prayer. This stuff going on is MORiGRENT.. THAT is a AN MORON + IGNORANT.. fool and this country was hallaluiah a black man. (& im not a skin color basher) Dammit is Dammit. Look how first lady was dressed like she was in a garden shed getting off air force one. This nation is indivisisble under God. Not a nation under fools. Im pissed off and should be. Black people were so so mean and rude to me the day he was voted in office and I have not ever been mean to a black person all my growing up. The hatetrid lives .. and the lax attitude and lack of dignity and the fooish national trickery by something off .. im well are of what my bible says. And there are cbristians who dont read there bible and it sits and grows dust as they look on as deers in headlights. This isnt a black or white issue. This is someone better find out who this man in white house makeing rule changes such as this.. reallly is. Obama or Osloba been lion. Just running my thoughts. Bsah me if you need. Or think really hard about this. A turban army man slautterd many on base in texas. Ok. Ahh that is cracker jack whack. America isnot Crackers its Crackers and Jacks !!! Hawaii is in another country.. born where. Hawaii. . Humm. Sure he was. I know my spiritual warfare whepon prayers.. do yall. And are yousaying em or am I only one. Cuz id advise you to google n learn . Cuz something Very Very thrown off. !!! Im sending out a warning to all. SOMETHING SERIOUS AND WRONG. IN AMERICA AND I SMELL SKUNK COOKING FOR OUR DINNER. JUST A PISSED OFF AMERICAN GIRL.
this is a total disgrace for the military, they do this and take away bibles from the Christians.
they are turning our military into a JOKE!
I am sorry, our military is turning into a real joke, very sad to see this. It is embarrassing.
this is wrong
.. so the women get to wear a burka…in battle.. ? yeah, right. Why is every one to scared to say no to to Muslims… and this is who it is for. PC gone way to far.
that rates high on the stupid scale
That is just WRONG,the whole bunch from Obama to congress needs to be replaced.
Total B.S. A uniform is a uniform. Period.