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.
They joined our MILITARY they don’t get to change the uniform, tell them to take the stinky asses back to AFGANASTAIN so we can shoot the basters. I don’t get what they don’t see law by law and rule by rule they are allowing our COUNTRY to change and become something we ARE NOT.
candy asses!
way to go ,they want to change our religious holidays,Easter, Christmas, because it offends them,and we let them,now they want to change our military, and the gov. allows it,,what is next,,, will they rename America,,,our political correctness society needs to stop,,call a spade a spade,if it hurts their feelings get the pansy ass idiots back to where ever they came from,,I`m tired of these damn liberal minded congressmen,sending our country down the drain,because some damn muslim is offended,,you left your country to leave oppression,,don`t try to change our way of life to what you just left,,,or go back to where you came from…
WHAT A HUGE CROCK OF NON_SENSE!!!!!! They HATE us but yet, they want us to change our ways to suit them!!!!!!!
But can’t talk about God, time to put a stop to this c**p….
Obamas change !
Sorry Sarge, I can’t defend today; it’s Ramadan! Bull$#%&!@*
sick sick sick
It was great to have served when the military was a ‘uniformed’ organization.
That is pure B—s— !