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.
……don’t bitch vote!!!!!
vote
This is stupid. Religion and country should be seperate meaning military should keep that $#%&!@* seperate I mean $#%&!@*, it’s the USA anyways. I mean damn, if you wanna look like the enemy be my guess
They call it Military for several reasons and one of them is that you are not a civilian any more and certain things are completely different….what was once the strongest and greatest military in the world is being reduced to shambles under Obama…..
The British Army allowed Skihs in their army, good fighters. They are very loyal and good people. I give them a pass on this.
So guess if I were back in, I could say wearing a cover is against my religion and not have to wear it. This sickens me. When you go into the military you already know there is a certain uniform dress code that is reqired. If you don’t intend to abide by it, stay out
Total bull$#%&!@* you wear what is regulation like everyone else or dont serve.
Only if they allow colanders for Pastafarians will it be truly inclusive.
Obamas agenda is very clear and soon we will not be free Americans, we will all be enslaved and it will resemble when Hitler was in power! This time it will be much worse! Brace yourself and be prepared! !
the should have to wear the full uniform as everyone else. They knew the uniform when they raised their right hand!!!!!!!!!