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.
Maybe we can send them to Iraq and Syeria……they would blend in better with the ISIS and might make better spies to be used against our enemies!
No way should US soldiers wear turbans like Muslims.
outragous
We didn’t let the Nisei serve in the Pacific in WW2 for reasons of identification. To allow whims, religious or not, to wear non standard uniform does away with Esprit De Corp and unit cohesiveness. Military can’t ever be PC.
Son of a bitches, they took my Play bunny Book & my Whiskey away & they are gonna let this $#%&!@* head wear his towel around his head. This is not the United States of America . . .we need a Revolution. Amen
This is such bull$#%&!@*! It goes against the very core of American beliefs.
This is pure bull c**p! So let me get this lol if a solder worships Micky mouse he can wear Micky mouse ears come on really it’s uniform a uniform meaning you have no choice in wearing a towel on your head why bother wearing a uniform if we are giving hat options. If you can’t wear the American uniform then stay out we don’t need you! Really?
God bless the american soldiers hope they keep their heads straight an do not agree with this
$#%&!@*ed up
JakeTeresa Rogers Corey Stogsdill