Ash
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Capt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a 31-year-old dentist, has become the first turbaned officer in a generation to graduate from the U.S. Army's officer basic training program.
Rattan graduated from Fort Sam Houston after securing an exception from the Army's uniform policy, which since 1981 has barred conspicuous religious articles of faith, such as headgears and beards.
Rattan retained his turban and beard during his training in the Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program, but would have been required to remove them before starting active duty. He requested a waiver from the army, which granted his request as an individual exception.
In a statement issued through the Sikh Coalition, which advocated on his behalf,, Rattan said, "I am overjoyed to serve my country, work with my fellow soldiers and to have completed basic training."
Another soldier, Dr. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, who completes his emergency medicine fellowship this summer, has also secured a waiver.
Turbaned Sikhs have served in the U.S. Army since World War I, but new rules barred beards and turbans in 1984. Those recruited before the new policy went into effect were allowed to retain their beards
Little India - Turban High
Rattan graduated from Fort Sam Houston after securing an exception from the Army's uniform policy, which since 1981 has barred conspicuous religious articles of faith, such as headgears and beards.
Rattan retained his turban and beard during his training in the Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program, but would have been required to remove them before starting active duty. He requested a waiver from the army, which granted his request as an individual exception.
In a statement issued through the Sikh Coalition, which advocated on his behalf,, Rattan said, "I am overjoyed to serve my country, work with my fellow soldiers and to have completed basic training."
Another soldier, Dr. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, who completes his emergency medicine fellowship this summer, has also secured a waiver.
Turbaned Sikhs have served in the U.S. Army since World War I, but new rules barred beards and turbans in 1984. Those recruited before the new policy went into effect were allowed to retain their beards
Little India - Turban High
