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.
But can Christians pray??????
Very wrong!
So very wrong.
Totaly disagree. What the hell is going on in our country? Why are we letting them get away with it? May God help us!
obamas crack head world.
Total ignorance. It is the military and has nothing to do with religions. That was put in place by your wonderful “Commander in Chief”. What a joke of a President!
I remember very well that if your beret or gig line was even a little out of place you got busted down. Much less being the only one in the unit with a turban. It’s a UNIform for a reason. It means we all look the same and we all wear the same team colors.
I disagree with this policy, in these circumstances, of being in the US Military. This is a problem, waiting to erupted.
I would assume they will not be allowed to wear a cross necklace
I wonder if one will be allowed to wear a do-rag, as long as he has given it some religious significance other than Christian.