Turbans and beards? Not in my military
- Capt. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi (right), a doctor, and 2nd Lt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, are appealing to the Army to allow them to continue to wear their beards, long hairÊand turbans, asÊmandated by their Sikh faith, though it would violate Army regulations. Courtesy of Sihk Coalition/Army Times
So let me get this straight: two U.S. Army officers, who happen to be devout Sikhs ( a Hindu-based religion) are now fighting the Army on religious grounds in order to wear head turbans , longer hair and beards while in uniform.
They argue that they shouldn’t be forced to choose between serving their country and abiding by their religion. See the full story here.
The Army’s answer, so far, has been a flat-out “no” and I hope it stays that way. Here’s why: These two soldiers, Capt. Kamaljeet Kalsi, a physician, and 2nd Lt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, knew the Army had strict uniform requirements when they signed up. Nobody gets special treatment, especially officers who are supposed to set the example for their lower-ranking peers.
The officers s argue that their recruiter(s) told them it was OK to wear turbans and beards while in uniform - yet recruiters aren’t the final authority on that policy. My guess is that their recruiter(s) were so anxious to bring in hard-to-get medical personnel that they overstated the Army’s leniency on uniforms, or maybe they deliberately misled the recruits to get them to sign up.
I also find it interesting that this issue comes up only after that the Army has presumably paid the full cost of their medical training. The officers point out that nobody complained about their religious garb during the several years they spent in medical school.
But now they’re expected to serve on active duty, wearing the uniform of their rank. That includes head gear and a clean-shaven face (moustaches are allowed).
That’s how it should be. I’ve yet to see the military cut anyone slack in wearing a uniform, with the exception of a different shoe after foot surgery or some similar temporary arrangenent,
In my mind, requiring these officers to wear the uniform is not tantamount to cutting them off from their religious beliefs. They can still practice their religion and wear turbans on their own time. As for the beards, well, the military hasn’t allowed beards for the last century or so. These officers must have known that when they chose to volunteered. If wearing a beard was so important to them, they should have investigated that possibility before signing up. I’m sure they noticed that no one else in the Army has a beard.
A lot of us in the military would like to tweak our uniform here and there but the bottom line is we are one team, one fight — and that goes for looking alike too.
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Comments
Their request is definitely odd. I think it should be turned down, but the military should be obligated, too, to tell people the whole truth when they recruit.
Saying things like, “Sure, son, we’ll make you a Navy pilot!” is a bad way to recruit. Recruiters don’t want to rank with car salesmen in the “honesty” category. That’s not good for anyone.
I want to comment for Mr. Bonnie Harris. Mr. Harris you are not thinking right. If recruiter promised them that beared and turban is okey then army has to fulfill the promises. Can you put yourself in the situation, if you are in a place and they asked you to wear turban and unshorn hair, will you accept it or reject it. Question is here for accommodation and not fighting for rules and regulation. If united states asked for the world people to participate in the Iraq and Afghanistan war, then they should also say that they donot want the Sikh to participate because British and Canadian Army has the sikhs, who are serving in the Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Harris, where is the your bottom line?
FLAT OUT NO! and it better stay that way. The military has regs set in place for reasons. Not to mention how many years of tradition?? If they want to serve their country then they should follow the regs. plain. and. simple.
The British have made an exception on uniform policy for the Sikhs for at least a century. Sikhs in the Parachute Regiment even wear maroon berets. I believe this is because the British feel it is a worthwhile price to pay as Sikhs make exemplary soldiers. Their culture has a strong warrior ethos, similar in that respect to the Gurkhas.
There is a U.S. full colonel (physician) serving in the Reserves who wears a turban. He is grandfathered in because prior to 1986, Sikhs WERE allowed to enter the U.S. military with the understanding they could observe the requirements of their religion. If you pass him, I hope you salute. He shows more military bearing than most soldiers.
http://www.nriinternet.com/NRIpoliticians/USA/A_Z/S/Arjinderpal_Sekhon/Command_ceremony/index.htm
In this particular case I think the Army has been taken for a ride. Do they really expect ’special’ treatment. I think they are going to far and have really taken advantage of a great organization of a very tolerant country.
The question has to be asked, would the military of their home country be so lenient? NO Way!
First of all, you portray the depiction of a typical ignorant American by saying “sikhs (a Hindu based religion)”. That is me saying that Christianity is a Jew based religion. Do you see how that doesn’t make sense? If you want to hold an opinion, you may want to consider first learning what the issue is and so some research before opening your mouth.
And let me tell you something. Sikhs fought in WWI and WWII for British and America WITH their turbans. Sikh’s culture and religion make them one of the greatest warriors on earth. One of the 7 greatest battles of all time recorded in British history was fought be Sikhs. Perhaps you need to do some research. Sikhs only comprise 1% of Indian population and yet they are 20%+ army officers in the Indian army and they serve with their turbans. Sikhs also comprise armed forces of Canada, as well as RCMP WITH their turbans.
I think its time for America to become more democratic like India, Canada and Britain. America does not respect its minorities or promote diversity (I have lived in America for one year and have seen ignorance, so I left America). Hence, America is looked upon as a Melting pot where people of other cultures have to assimilate. Whereas Canada/India/Britain promote diversity to enrich their society. May be the American army should focus on respecting the beliefs of its minorities. Otherwise, the army is being hypocritical by defending the so called “democracy” controlled by lobbyists. If America is so democratic, why is there no woman president yet? If America is so tolerant like posted by someone above, then why are outsiders called “aliens”.
i completely understand the army’s requirements but sikhs have a strong reason for their turbans and beards. sikhs have been great warriors ever since. you must read about them. british have turbaned sikh soldiers also. the sikhs originate from india and count only about 4 % of the indian population and more martyrs have been sikhs . both of them want to serve their nation. they are not doing anything against the nation. and just like other brave US soldiers who sacrificed their lives, i believe these two gentlemen would also do so.
The issue here is that these people were lied to by the recruiters. They told these two gentlemen that they would be able to keep their beards and turbans in the army. They are part of a program which allows the US Army to pay for medical school, in return for military service after graduation. Nobody made an issue about their beards and turbans before graduation. Now they are saying that they cannot serve unless they give up their articles of faith? These two men are trapped. They cannot serve with their articles of faith, and they cannot refrain from the obligated military service because then they will not be allowed to practice medicine in the United States. It is not right to con people like this.
I agree- they knew what the uniform is before they signed up. If they do not feel they can abide, they can pay back the money for all of their medical training to the US tax payers and accept an dishonorable discharge. Bottom line, one team, one fight- and that goes for looking alike too.