Sikhs challenge US Army's ban on turbans, beards

Sacramento Bee ^ | June 14, 2009 | By DEEPTI HAJELA

[Oldeconomybuyer]

NEW YORK -- Military service is in Capt. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi's blood. 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.

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.

[Steel Wolf]

My better half used to work in the Chemical Corps, back in the day. She used to work on Johnston Atoll, inspecting and maintaining the chemical weapon stockpiles. She says that the issue pro-mask the Army uses is completely useless against most real agents, and that it's practically suicide to employ in real life. More of a 'feel good' device than a real protective measure. (They used full rubber suits with independent oxygen.)

So, I understand the 'beard won't work with pro-mask' argument, but that issue is almost a moot point.

[DesertRhino]

“Sikhs were responsible for stopping the Islamification of India”

Anything that stops islam, i like. Islam was Americas first enemy. (besides England)

[El Gato]

Or the Texans at the Alamo?

But with a somewhat worse ratio of forces than Crockett, Bowie and Travis faced.

[DesertRhino]

The Cav wearing uniform article directly related to US history is not at all the same thing. I meant it more like saying if you are Texan, can you wear a cowboy hat because it means sometining to you personally? Lke a Sihk with a turban.

It’s be un-American to hate the Cav.

[IronJack]

Lose the headgear or leave the Army. End of discussion.

[Will88]

So, I understand the 'beard won't work with pro-mask' argument, but that issue is almost a moot point.

Not really, masks are effective against many gases and are also used to prevent smoke inhalation in firefighting. Different masks provide different levels of protection, and can be used for biological as well as chemical situations. The military used many oxygen cannister type masks when I was in the USNR and I expect they still do.

[El Gato]

I don't know how they will be able to utilize proper headgear and gasmasks or maintain proper field hygiene.

The gas masks are probably an insoluble problem, but the hygiene seems to be part of their religion. They are to take the turban off, and comb the hair out, twice a day.

US special operations forces in Afghanistan: (SEALS I think)

[DieHard the Hunter]

> US special operations forces in Afghanistan: (SEALS I think)

I understand that the SAS doesn’t shave or cut their hair when they are in the field — a tradition that goes back to their days as the Long Range Desert Unit in WW-II.

[Travis McGee]

Our Sikhs are not in the British colonial army, or coming from that colonial tradition.

They are in the USA now, so follow USA laws and military customs.

Or don’t join. Better yet, go home to lovely wonderful Sikhlandia.

[strider44]

I’m Scottish - why can’t I wear my kilt?
I’m Jamaican - why can’t I have dreadlocks?
I’m Jewish - why can’t I wear my yamaka (sp?)
I’m Japanese - I should get to carry my samuri sword
I’m Mexican - I want my sombrero
I’m Muslim - I shouldn’t have to ride in a vehicle with a woman

Why do we insist on wanting to bend or wills/regulations to satisy everyone? You join the army, you follow the rules. You didn’t get drafted.

I have 14 years in (MAJ US Army Aviation). I see no problems with the current uniform standards. Except the f*cking beret which I along with 90% of the army hate. But that’s another issue.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I fully support the Sikhs on this issue. The only value of uniformity is support logistics, and they are no great issue. The nonsense excuse of protective masks is just that. A large percentage of the male black soldiers in the military cannot use protective masks either because of a common facial skin condition.

Sikhs are generally fine soldiers. Theirs is a disciplined and militant religion of the entrepreneurial Indian middle class, they dominate the leadership roles of the Indian army, and they are loyal members of whatever army in which they serve. They have demonstrated remarkable performance in combat, lead orderly and polite lives, and are committed to doing the best job possible.

I would strongly caution against segregating Sikhs in their own units, because they provide both performance and leadership examples to any unit in which they serve.

[Political Junkie Too]

Unclear on the concept of the word "uniform" -- one form.

Why would anyone in the military want to single themselves out from others? That would just make them a target.

-PJ

[Cheetahcat]

Well this is the American Military and this is our Code NOT theirs .

[Squantos]

This is just sikh !......:o)

[Starwolf]

They are actually protecting them...MOPP gear, gas masks, helmets will not work with a beard and turban. Consider also that without the new intelligent helmets a soldiers effectiveness drops considerably.

The right answer is for the Sikhs to accept *temporary* violation of some portion of the 5 Ks while actively serving.

[Starwolf]

The only toy Kirpans I see are in school or other places where carrying a knife is banned. Most of the Sikhs I know keep them theirs fully functional.

[kabar]

The Canadian Armed Forces are a joke. There are only 65,000 active duty personnel and the head of the Canadian Army has said that they will have to take a year off from operational duties because of Afghanistan.

How may Sikhs are in the Canadian Armed Forces?

[Oztrich Boy]

England did it as a way to reinforce to colonial troops that they were most assuredly not British. It wasnt that England was culturally sensitive. They were well aware that if they wore the standard British Army uniform, they would feel equal.

British military tradition is that a soldier is a member of and takes pride in a distinctive Regiment, rather than a standardized GI item supplied to a unit as required.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> The Canadian Armed Forces are a joke.

I can’t believe you said that. What a jerk.

The Canadian Army is paying the butcher’s bill in Afghanistan, and has from day one. They fight bravely and well, and unlike most of the rest of your allies they actually go into Harm’s Way and kill the enemy. Saying that they are “a joke” is in really bad taste.

I don’t think I have much more to say to you.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> I’m Scottish - why can’t I wear my kilt?

The USMC has a very sharp kilt: their tartan pattern looks alot like the Macmillan Hunting tartan. Earn the right and you too could wear it.