Washington, November 13
A group of 27 retired military leaders have backed US Sikhs long-standing demand to be allowed to serve in the US military while keeping their turbans and beards.
Sikh Coalition, an advocacy group, plans to deliver a letter from the military leaders, including a retired three-star US Army general, to Defence Secretary Ash Carter saying Sikh Americans “should be given equal opportunity to serve.” “The US Department of Defence has taken important steps toward recognising the importance of religious faith to the lives of our service members,” said the letter as cited by the Wall Street Journal.
“Nevertheless, obstacles remain for patriotic Sikh-Americans who wish to serve in our nation’s military while maintaining their articles of faith.” They are asking that the military find a more reasonable way for Sikhs to serve without going through what they describe as a long, difficult process of getting an exemption allowing turbans and beards.
In some cases, a military service branch may require a Sikh to shave his beard and remove his turban while waiting for the exemption, the Journal noted.
In the 1980s, the military established regulations that require service members to adhere to uniformity rules about appearance, including hair and grooming standards that prohibit beards and headwear.
Since 2009, the military has allowed three Sikhs to serve in the US military wearing turbans. Among them Maj Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, 39, was awarded the Bronze Star for his work as the medical officer running the emergency room at Camp Dwyer in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in 2011. — IANS