Posted on May 8, 2020
Michael Gilbert
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I am a practicing Wicca and I have a Lapis Lazuli necklace that I wear every day with a pentacle on it. My question is, if I will be allowed to wear that at basic training and AIT with my dogtags or if the Army will issue me one specifically.
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Responses: 12
CW2 Bde Ew Tech
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You are allowed 1 I believe.
(a) Soldiers may wear religious apparel, articles, or jewelry with the uniform, to
include the physical fitness uniform, if they are neat, conservative, and discreet.
“Neatconservative,anddiscreet”isdefinedasmeetingtheuniformcriteriaofthis
regulation. In other words, when religious jewelry is worn, the uniform must meet
the same standards of wear as if the religious jewelry were not worn. For
example, a religious item worn on a chain may not be visible when worn with the
utility, service, dress, or mess uniforms. When worn with the physical fitness
uniform, the item should be no more visible than identification (ID) tags would be
in the same uniform. The width of chains worn with religious items should be
approximately the same size as the width of the ID tag chain.
(b) Soldiers may not wear these items when doing so would interfere with the
performance of their duties or present a safety concern. Soldiers may not be
prohibited, however, from wearing religious apparel, articles, or jewelry meeting
the criteria of this regulation simply because they are religious in nature, if wear is
permitted of similar items of a nonreligious nature. A specific example would be
wearing a ring with a religious symbol. If the ring meets the uniform standards for
jewelry and is not worn in a work area where rings are prohibited because of
safety concerns, then wear is allowed and may not be prohibited simply because
the ring bears a religious symbol.
(c) During a worship service, rite, or ritual, soldiers may wear visible or apparent
religious articles, symbols, jewelry, and apparel that do not meet normal uniform
standards. Commanders, however, may place reasonable limits on the wear of
non-subdued items of religious apparel during worship services, rites, or rituals
conducted in the field for operational or safety reasons. When soldiers in uniform
wear visible religious articles on such occasions, they must ensure that these
articles are not permanently affixed or appended to any prescribed article of the
uniform.
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Michael Gilbert
Michael Gilbert
4 y
Thanks. Sometimes when reading through AR 670-1 I get a little confused is all.
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CW2 Bde Ew Tech
CW2 (Join to see)
4 y
Michael Gilbert - LOL get used to it. 670-1 is a new Soldier's most important manual, it can save tons of pain understanding the weird intricacies that can get you hemmed up, as well as set you apart from your peers when it's time to set up a dress uniform or a weird award shows up - i.e. stars, sashes, neck worn medals, competitive marksmanship medals, and more.
Especially the differences between male and female standards - there's lots of NCOs who can't properly inspect a females uniform.
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Michael Gilbert
Michael Gilbert
4 y
CW2 (Join to see) - Yeah I get that, its why I am going to continue to ask questions both on here and in person with my vet buddies
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CW2 Bde Ew Tech
CW2 (Join to see)
4 y
Michael Gilbert - it's all good, just remember to search before posting, lot's of stuff already answered on the site. We get a lot of repeat questions lately, lol
Good on you for seeking out info instead of just being a soup sandwich.
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TSgt Cyberspace Defense
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I wore 2 gold chains throughout my time.
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SrA John Monette
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I can't see why they would issue you one. I doubt if they issue crosses to Christians, Stars of David to Jews, etc
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
SSgt Christophe Murphy
4 y
I attended Boot Camp in May 2001 and received a Cross with a chain. They were also for purchase in the Recruit PX.
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SrA John Monette
SrA John Monette
4 y
SSgt Christophe Murphy - i'm old school (USAF 1988) I don't remember being asked about religious symbols. I know my religion is on my dog tags
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
4 y
I still have the cross I was given by the chaplain. It wasn't "issued" one, but I was offered one. The Unit Ministry Teams have these in their equipment set (Salvation in a box) as a consumable item. They have NSNs.

https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Chaplain/DH_NSN_catalog_190102.pdf?ver=2019-01-09-120345-230
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