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New York - Sikhs Challenge U.S. Army Ban On Beards |
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Jun 14, 2009 at 08:12 PM
News Source: AP
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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
But the U.S. Army recruit's plans to go on active duty in July are now on hold. An Army policy from the 1980s would mean he would have to shave his beard and remove the turban he wears for religious reasons.
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Kalsi and another Sikh man with the same concerns are at the center of a campaign by the Sikh Coalition that is trying to convince the Army to let them serve without sacrificing their articles of faith.
They are hopeful they will prevail. Toni Delancey, a spokeswoman for Army personnel, says the appeals are under review.
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Read Comments (8) — Post Yours »
1
Jun 15, 2009 at 08:02 AM Raphael Kaufman Says:
the Sikhs have a long standing military tradition. They have served as outstanding soldiers in the British army and constitute a major part of the officer corps in the Indian army. They serve In the British army, turbans, beards and all. If it's good enough for the Brits, it should be good enough for the U.S. army. We sure need good soldiers and Sikhs make some of the best. Also, if the U.S. military can accomodate turbans, yarmulkes should be a slam dunk.
2
Jun 15, 2009 at 01:22 PM Anonymous Says:
TO: comment #1 the army already supports Yarmulkes....
3
Jun 15, 2009 at 02:33 PM Anonymous Says:
First of all the guy on the right is Tejdeep Singh Rattan (caption is wrong) as I know him personally. He was really screwed by the army. He told me that they promised him they will accommodate his religious beliefs. He didn't join the army in order to pursue an agenda. I have talked to him about this issue many times as he wanted to know how orthodox jews handle this type of situation. I honestly don't know as I don't think that too many frum jews join the military. However we should support him because a. its the right thing to do and b. you never know if one of us can be in a similar situation. By the way I know he will be reading everybody's comments he did last time he was on VIN.he
4
Jun 15, 2009 at 05:44 PM Anonymous Says:
It does seem unusual that the army has such policies, especially when there is a shortage of qualified personnel. I have had nothing but positive experiences with the Seikhs I have known. I was surprised to read that only around 650,000 Seikhs live in the US, even though the Seikh population worldwide is around double that of Jews.Since 87% of Seikhs live in India, I guess this is consistent. I had not even known about the Seikh religion until I met some Seikhs in college.
I wish these men well. I am wondering how widespread this problem is for Seikhs in other professions, and why the US Supreme Court has not yet issued a ruling providing legal protection against discrimination for those who need to wear a beard and turban for religious reasons. I am wondering what Seikhs do when they work or are in school where one is not allowed to have a knife. Does a kirpan need to be sharp, or can an acceptable kirpan be made that is not a problem in schools or other places where one is not allowed to have a knife.
5
Jun 15, 2009 at 06:18 PM Yoshua Says:
I wish both of well and I hope this works out for them. Sikh's have a remarkable monotheism and real derech eretz from what I have seen.
6
Jun 15, 2009 at 07:33 PM Anonymous Says:
I am sure that the army was told upon receiving their applications that they would wear a beard and about their hear head-covering. The fact that they have reneged on them should be taken up with the powers-that-be or the highers-up, whoever-they-are. Some of them possibly leave their brains in their pockets!! I hope that VIN posts this!!
7
Jun 15, 2009 at 11:02 PM Milhouse Says:
“ I wish both of well and I hope this works out for them. Sikh's have a remarkable monotheism and real derech eretz from what I have seen. ”
All joking aside, in many ways it is the religion closest to Judaism! And by that I mean it's closer than either Reform or Conservative are.
8
Jul 10, 2009 at 10:59 PM army Says:
army says no and the reason why is there is a thing call army regulaton (ar) 670-1 in which no facial hair is allowed except for medical reason. i am in the army and i can tell you that the reason why you must shave is not for the obvious reason it in place for the "what if" such as what if a nuclear attacks occurs and you have to "don" your mask they would die because their beared would not seal the mask and allow the contaminated air to creep in thats the reason and trust me i know this for a fact from the gas chamber when i didnt have it on secure so i could only imagine what would happen if it was a real attack. now for the turbin i have no problem with that as long as they can wear the head gear properly.