Quietly, US military opens up to Sikhs

Daredevil

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Sikhs challenge US Army's ban on turbans, beards

By DEEPTI HAJELA – 20 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Military service is in Capt. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi's blood.
His father and grandfather were part of India's Air Force. His great-grandfather served in the army in India under the British. So when U.S. Army recruiters talked to him during his first year of medical school, he readily signed up.

But his plans to go on active duty in July are now on hold. An Army policy from the 1980s that regulates the wearing of religious items would mean he would need to shave his beard and remove the turban he wears in accordance with his religious precepts.

Kalsi and another Sikh man with the same concerns, Second Lt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, are the centerpieces of an advocacy campaign launched by the Sikh Coalition as it tries to persuade the Army to let them serve without sacrificing their articles of faith.

"I'm an American, there's no reason why I can't serve," Kalsi, 32, said.
The Army has a long-standing interest in how its members carry themselves, with policies that ban exotic hair colors, long fingernails or certain colors of lipstick. Army officials declined to comment on the reasoning behind its policy that would force the Sikh men to give up their religious displays. Sikhs who were active-duty military when the policy was adopted were allowed to continue serving without shaving their beards or removing their turbans.

The Pentagon and other military institutions wouldn't comment. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation, an advocacy group, was unfamiliar with the policy's origins.

As the Sikh diaspora has spread across the world, the issue of turbans and beards on Sikhs in uniform has come up in a number of places. In New York City, for example, Sikh traffic officers took successful legal action to force the city to allow them to wear turbans and beards.

The Sikh community is hopeful it will win the policy appeal; in an April 29 letter to the Sikh Coalition, the director of the Army's Human Resources Policy Directorate said senior leadership was aware of the issue and was gathering information to make a decision. Toni Delancey, a spokeswoman for Army personnel, said the appeals are under review.

Sikh Coalition executive director Amardeep Singh said he hopes that not only are Kalsi and Rattan allowed to serve, but that the rule will be changed for all turbaned and bearded Sikhs who would want to enlist.

"Our country's military needs to reflect what America is right now," he said. "It's a diverse country, it's a country that puts forth for the rest of the world the values of liberty, particularly religious liberty."

Allowing Sikhs to serve with beard and turban "will send a very strong message to the rest of the world that we are who we say we are."

The Sikh faith requires adherents to follow certain rules, among them that hair is not to be cut and for men, the wearing of a turban. Both Kalsi, an emergency room doctor, and Rattan, a dental surgeon, say they were following those rules when they were recruited and never had any problems or were told they wouldn't be able to serve with their beards or turbans.
Both said they raised the issue over the years and were reassured, and that it wasn't until the end of last year when they were told they would not be allowed to serve as they were.

The idea that he would have to choose between his country and his faith is hard for Rattan. "I'm offering my life, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my religious beliefs," he said.

Singh said it would be in the military's best interest to lets Sikhs serve. The community has a long tradition of military service, both in India, where most of the faith's adherents are, as well as in the countries where Sikhs have made their homes, like Canada and the United Kingdom.

"As part of our religious heritage, we're taught that we have an obligation to actively serve and protect the communities in which we live," he said.
In Canada, regulations for the armed forces allow Sikhs to keep their turbans and beards, and even determine what colors the different military branches can wear. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police allows turbans as well.

The British Army allows Sikhs to generally keep their articles of faith. For Sikhs who serve as civilian police officers, The British Police Sikh Association is pushing for development of bulletproof turbans. That would allow Sikhs to be part of firearms units, since safety helmets don't fit over them.

Sikhs have a long history with the U.S. military, serving in World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and in the Persian Gulf.

One of them is Army Col. Gopal Khalsa, who is retiring in November after more than three decades in uniform, all of those with a turban and beard.
His distinctive appearance has required some conversation and explanation at times, but it's never been a problem for him, or gotten in the way of carrying out his duties or wearing his military equipment.

"Of course there's a lot of looks, but once people get to know you and you're doing the job, that falls by the wayside," Khalsa said.

He thought a rule change would be a good idea, saying the presence of Sikh soldiers would be an asset in places where the United States is currently carrying out military operations, like Afghanistan.

"The Army would be gaining successful, useful soldiers," he said.
Kalsi hopes he can be one of those soldiers, and serve his country as generations of his family have done.

"That's what we connect with, that's part of our heritage," he said. "It links us to our past and our present and hopefully the future."
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
 

Daredevil

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A very sensitive issue that has to be handled very carefully. This statement shows the dilemma most Sikhs face

"I'm offering my life, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my religious beliefs"
 

Vinod2070

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Interesting case. Of course I don't believe that this particular rule in the US army has anything to do with religious discrimination, just their idea of secularism.

However, once the society takes a mixed look, some of these conceptions need to be revisited and given a fresh thought. I hope this happens.
 

Koji

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Absolutely not. Western militaries are defined by the principal that each soldier conform to a common standard, no exceptions. This maintains the idea that each soldier is equal.
 

Singh

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Absolutely not. Western militaries are defined by the principal that each soldier conform to a common standard, no exceptions. This maintains the idea that each soldier is equal.
-------------------------------------

In Canada, regulations for the armed forces allow Sikhs to keep their turbans and beards, and even determine what colors the different military branches can wear. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police allows turbans as well.
The British Army allows Sikhs to generally keep their articles of faith.
Sikhs have a long history with the U.S. military, serving in World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and in the Persian Gulf.
One of them is Army Col. Gopal Khalsa, who is retiring in November after more than three decades in uniform, all of those with a turban and beard.
Well the Western militaries proved you wrong.
 
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Absolutely not. Western militaries are defined by the principal that each soldier conform to a common standard, no exceptions. This maintains the idea that each soldier is equal.
this is a totally false statement, look at ww2 British sikh regiments all had turbans, and current British Gurkha regiments none have conformed the military has conformed.
 

Daredevil

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Absolutely not. Western militaries are defined by the principal that each soldier conform to a common standard, no exceptions. This maintains the idea that each soldier is equal.
What happened to these principles when no body was willing to join US Army and they had to resort to recruiting of people with criminal records.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/a...result&usg=AFQjCNEuneHXmplqKKAdJ1VejOZm4EKyLw

FOXNews.com - Military Accepting More Recruits With Criminal Records - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

Well, I'm not equating this to the Sikhs situation here, but I'm using this argument to contend your claim that there are common standards and no exceptions for soldiers. If they are willing and want to be inclusive, they will make exceptions just like Canadian, UK and Indian militaries have done.
 

Koji

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What happened to these principles when no body was willing to join US Army and they had to resort to recruiting of people with criminal records.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/a...result&usg=AFQjCNEuneHXmplqKKAdJ1VejOZm4EKyLw

FOXNews.com - Military Accepting More Recruits With Criminal Records - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

Well, I'm not equating this to the Sikhs situation here, but I'm using this argument to contend your claim that there are common standards and no exceptions for soldiers. If they are willing and want to be inclusive, they will make exceptions just like Canadian, UK and Indian militaries have done.
Yes I agree with you on the recruitment standards have dropped. However, those criminals who have enlisted still have to undergo the same training (including getting a crew cut). Everyone has to conform to a set standard, no exceptions.
 

EnlightenedMonk

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Yes I agree with you on the recruitment standards have dropped. However, those criminals who have enlisted still have to undergo the same training (including getting a crew cut). Everyone has to conform to a set standard, no exceptions.
These Sikhs will also have absolutely the same standards of performance, treatment etc. but they are a very sensitive people and they will only wear their Turbans which will be extra... else, they will be treated in the same way....

If the Faithful can get meals of their choice and women can be accomodated, then allowing a Turbaned guy is a very trivial issue... no problems IMO...

The Sikhs are a very gallant and brave community and the British realised this during the great wars and accommodated them and their beliefs and I believe that the US doing so will only benefit them...
 

Daredevil

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Yes I agree with you on the recruitment standards have dropped. However, those criminals who have enlisted still have to undergo the same training (including getting a crew cut). Everyone has to conform to a set standard, no exceptions.
You are speaking as if you are the US commander of forces. The sikhs are arguing their case with US army, it will be them who will eventually decide whether or not to make exception and allow Sikhs to keep the turban/beard. If they think they cannot accommodate, it is US army that is at loss, for they are losing one of the most gallantry and celebrated people any military would like to have.
 

Vinod2070

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Koji doesn't have to worry. No Sikh soldier is applying to his PLA in a hurry. :2guns:
 

Shiny Capstar

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Turban's impead the wearing of helmets and beards get in the way of NBC gear. That is where the ban comes from.
 

Daredevil

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Turban's impead the wearing of helmets and beards get in the way of NBC gear. That is where the ban comes from.
So, what is the present status of Sikhs in UK army. Are they supposed to keep their turbans and beard??.
 

Koji

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Providing food is one thing, but by wearing a turban a soldier is unable to wear a helmet. In the US military, the helmet provides attachment points for in-helmet radios and night vision goggles. Not to mention that the US military leaders might not want to compromise safety.


I mean seriously, are they going to attach their night vision into their hair? Ha
 

Shiny Capstar

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So, what is the present status of Sikhs in UK army. Are they supposed to keep their turbans and beard??.
To be honest I haven't the foggiest idea, I've never asked specifically and while I have met Sikh personnel in barracks (with beards and turbans) I have never commanded them on operations. Never commanded any in fact. Generally they are allowed to keep articles of faith but I don't know about deployment. Although I think on deployment they would have to follow the same rules as everyone else.

Sorry I can't help.
 

Daredevil

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Providing food is one thing, but by wearing a turban a soldier is unable to wear a helmet. In the US military, the helmet provides attachment points for in-helmet radios and night vision goggles. Not to mention that the US military leaders might not want to compromise safety.

I mean seriously, are they going to attach their night vision into their hair? Ha
Sikhs may or may not be used for all kinds of operations where they are not allowed to wear turbans or have beard. It all depends on the Army where they want to deploy the sikh soldiers. Anyways, it is up to US Army to decide what to do and what not to according to their requirements. So, don't pass your judgements right away and no need of patronizing tone either.


To be honest I haven't the foggiest idea, I've never asked specifically and while I have met Sikh personnel in barracks (with beards and turbans) I have never commanded them on operations. Never commanded any in fact. Generally they are allowed to keep articles of faith but I don't know about deployment. Although I think on deployment they would have to follow the same rules as everyone else.

Sorry I can't help.
This is what I was able to find about what sikhs are allowed to wear in British Army, depending on various circumstances.

Q. As a Sikh, will I be able to wear a turban and other items of religious significance?

A. In the Army Sikhs are permitted to wear the 5 Ks. Male Sikhs may also wear a turban. However some constraints regarding the wearing of a turban and keeping facial hair uncut do exist:

Turbans. Some trades require specialist headgear to be worn, especially under operational circumstances. Examples of this are commander’s helmets in armoured fighting vehicles, combat helmets, breathing apparatus (full hood) for fire fighters and flying helmets for aircrew in some types of aircraft. Turbans are incompatible with specialist headgear, which must be worn on health and safety grounds. Male Sikh personnel can normally wear a patka under specialist headgear; however, this is not possible under a flying helmet which must be closely fitted to the contours of the head. Male and female aircrew with long hair, might be required to have their hair cut short in order to achieve a satisfactory fit of a flying helmet.


Facial hair. For occupational or operational reasons, where a hazard clearly exists, personnel authorised to wear beards on religious grounds will have to be prepared to modify or remove their beards to such an extent as to enable the correct wearing of a respirator or breathing apparatus. It is unlikely that a male Sikh will be able to obtain an effective seal on his oxygen mask without trimming his beard.

Respirator. An effective seal on a respirator can only be achieved when the skin is clean shaven. In an operational environment where there is an NBC (nuclear, biological or chemical) threat, Sikhs or other personnel with beards will need to shave. However when practising NBC drills, male Sikh personnel would not be required to shave their beards.

http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Religious_Fact_Sheet.doc
 

Singh

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I guess if they are serving in ops where NBC gear, armoured helmets etc are required then they will have to invent a way out.
 

Shiny Capstar

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This is what I was able to find about what sikhs are allowed to wear in British Army, depending on various circumstances.
Same, I just had a look through various guidelines on religious garb. Next stop, find an officer who commands Sikh's and talk to him about actual operational practice.
 

Ray

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Same, I just had a look through various guidelines on religious garb. Next stop, find an officer who commands Sikh's and talk to him about actual operational practice.
They wear a patka!
 

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