Enables Devout To Keep Faith On Duty
Rep. Joe Crowley reiterated his call for an end to the presumptive ban on Sikh articles of faith, including turbans and beards, in the U.S. military.
Responding to new Pentagon rules that permit limited religious accommodations, Crowley is currently spearheading a bipartisan letter signed by 20 members of Congress on both sides of the aisle requesting that the U.S. Armed Forces update their appearance regulations to allow Sikh-Americans to serve while abiding by their articles of faith.
“Depending on how they are implemented, some aspects of the new Department of Defense rules may be a step in the right direction,” said Crowley. “But more needs to be done to end the underlying presumptive ban on service by patriotic Sikh Americans. Sikh Americans love this country and want a fair chance to serve in our nation’s military.”
Sikhs have served in the U.S. Army since World War I, and they are presumptively permitted to serve in the armed forces of Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, among others. Notably, the current chief of army staff of the Indian Army is a turbaned and bearded Sikh, even though Sikhs constitute less than two percent of India’s population.
Currently, three Sikh Americans have been granted individualized accommodations to serve in the U.S. Army. These patriotic soldiers wear turbans and maintain beards in a neat and conservative manner, both in accordance with operational requirements and their Sikh religious beliefs. They are also able to wear protective equipment, including helmets and gas masks, in conformity with safety requirements.
In the letter being circulated by Crowley, the members call on Defense Secretary Charles Hagel to consider the achievements of these soldiers and their demonstrated ability to comply with military requirements while practicing their faith.
