Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

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BruteForce
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Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by BruteForce »

NEW YORK -- The U.S. Army will make an exception to a decades-old rule and allow a Sikh doctor to serve without removing his turban and cutting his hair, an advocacy group said Friday.

Capt. Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi is the first Sikh to be allowed to go on active duty with a turban, beard and unshorn hair in more than 20 years, according to the New York-based Sikh Coalition.

The decision does not overturn an Army policy from the 1980s that regulates the wearing of religious items, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Gina Farrisee wrote in a letter to Kalsi dated Thursday and posted online by the Sikh Coalition.

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IntelToad
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by IntelToad »

I once read that the Indian Army actually has modified jump helmets for Sikhs that serve in their airborne units so they can wear their turbans when they jump.
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by Nomad »

This is going to set a bad precedence.
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by RangerX »

You know, in an environment where all elements are intended to seamlessly work as one, going to great lengths to stand out is going to do nothing for your cause.
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by Looon »

BruteForce wrote: What's next, transgender males wearing female uniforms?
It's fucking coming for sure........
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by Ranger Bill »

Aw, come on... It's change... It's all good...
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CloakAndDagger
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by CloakAndDagger »

If he's the first to have this approved in twenty years, the not -one-, but -two- Sikhs in my reserve unit when I joined in '97 must have had at least 8 years time-in-service. They both wore beards, turbans, and (reputedly) concealed daggers. One of the two was our battalion commander.
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another damn texan
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by another damn texan »

Nomad wrote:This is going to set a bad precedence.
I couldn't agree more.
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K.Ingraham
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by K.Ingraham »

And if he passes ROP does he earn a tan turban?

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ma91c1an
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by ma91c1an »

One of the "five K" precepts of the Sikh faith is that they must also carry a kirpan or "strapped sword" on their person. Many "modern" Sikhs often carry a small, notional, symbolic dagger. Old-style Sikhs carry a real-deal blade.

They are a warrior faith. They have a tradition of serving as bodyguards to the Indian head-of-state. Even after they assassinated Indira Gandhi.

I have known observant Sikhs, and I liked them immensely.
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by rgrokelley »

I think some of y'all need to do a bit of research. Back in the draft Army this was allowed. Crack one of the old AR-670-1s from the time and you'll see drawings of Sikh with turban and beard. This continued until the 1980s. Sikhs tend to be the bad-asses of India. Not as bad-ass as Ghurkas, but pretty close.

If y'all judge, based upon hair length and beards, then the Special Forces of Vietnam and the Rangers of Grenada should have a conniption looking at the long-haired Rangers, and beard wearing SF of today.

So, are they any less warriors due to their appearance?
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PocketKings
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Re: Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

Post by PocketKings »

I was going to post yesterday but didn't feel like getting into an interweb fracas. But, I personally have no issue with them wearing this stuff. They're not 'on the line' where (purportedly) hair length/grooming is more a requirement of function versus looking good. I've always thought the Army makes too big a deal out of hair and clothes at the expense of common sense and mission needs, but that's an arguement that I'm gonna lose against a bunch of guys who wore high and tights as the standard. I get it if there's an NBC threat and everyone needs to wear a p-mask. I get it if it's 120 degrees and turbans would prevent effective patrolling or wear of a Kevlar. I get it if dude's in the old guard and his look would detract from the ceremony. I don't get it if he's in a hospital and we need his skill sets.
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