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I wonder how this may effect regulations.
The Pentagon is planning to relax its rules governing the religious clothing, facial hair and hairstyles that troops can wear while in uniform, a senior Defense official told Fox News.
Uniforms
Grooming Standards
Facial Hair
Posted 12 y ago
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I was told this by a Company Commander of mine once (one that I respected a lot). I've used it many times in my life. It was one of those things that sticks with you. This guy just had his $**t wired tight.
"We don't change the Army to fit the individual, we change the individual to fit the Army".
"We don't change the Army to fit the individual, we change the individual to fit the Army".
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I get that it is a religious cultural thing and on the surface I'm ok with it as long as they are still able to perform their jobs to standard. My only main concern about this is that it opens doors to other things being brought on to the block to become permitted.
For example the recent tattoo policy has eliminated a large portion of the population from enlisting because their tattoos are to big or in the wrong place. There are some cultures that tattoos are a large part of and some people may have a tattoo for religious purposes....do we allow this?
On the extreme side some cultures/religions practice piercing in places other than the ears. Females are currently the only ones that can have ear piercing. Do we now make exceptions for this?
As I said on the surface I'm ok with the decision I just think that they are not ready for the can of worms that has been opened due to it.
For example the recent tattoo policy has eliminated a large portion of the population from enlisting because their tattoos are to big or in the wrong place. There are some cultures that tattoos are a large part of and some people may have a tattoo for religious purposes....do we allow this?
On the extreme side some cultures/religions practice piercing in places other than the ears. Females are currently the only ones that can have ear piercing. Do we now make exceptions for this?
As I said on the surface I'm ok with the decision I just think that they are not ready for the can of worms that has been opened due to it.
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But yet we are not gonna allow tattoos to be present while in the summer pt uniform? :) yes HOOAH!
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I understand that people are getting a little swept up in the sensationalism of the idea but please take the time to ACTUALLY read the article and see what it is saying. This is not a move to radically change uniform wear and appearance or grooming standards. This is more about streamlining a confusing process for granting exceptions for legitimate religious reasons. In 1948 President Truman desegregated the armed forces. This move allowed persons of faiths (such as Judaism and Sikh) to maintain items of their faith and for years many Sikh doctors served in the military with honor. In 1984 the exemption was removed and forced all but two remaining Sikh doctors out of the military and has kept most devout away ever since. Since 2010 the Army has been allowing Sikh officers to join on a case by case basis and in 2011 the first enlisted Sikh soldier was allowed to join. This new policy only helps to make the process of granting these religious exemptions a little more uniform. I know there is a lot of aversion (whether you want to admit it or not) when people read that "turbans" will be permitted in uniform. But I urge you to just briefly educate yourself on the Sikh faith and you will see that a soldier of Sikh faith is able and extremely motivated to serve the military with the utmost devotion. Chances are, if you could look past the necessity for an altered headgear, you'd find yourself thinking "this is the kind of soldier I WANT in my ranks". http://www.army.mil/article/58866/Sikh_Soldier_answers_lifelong_calling_to_serve/
Spc. Simranpreet Singh Lamba, who is the only enlisted Sikh Soldier in the Army, is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
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MAJ Joseph Parker
<p>Chief: You and others have made some good, moderate points on this thread, thank you. Keep in mind that an Army works as a team, and part of the process of building unity is uniformity. That is why from the minute one enters the service, everybody becomes equal: NOBODY. The same. No one stands out. Nobody is special. Doesn't matter if you were rich or poor or if your daddy was famous or you were an orphan; Christian-Jew-Atheist-Sikh-Moslem-Buddist-C.O.-Whatever- Every member of the team starts out as nobody and through training earns the right to be called a soldier. Where we draw the line on individuality is a difficult decision, but when it separates the soldier from the team, it must not be done. The decision is made and in my opinion it has been poorly structured, but I'm not in charge. You SMs have going to have to use your judgment. On that I have faith! If there are any Sikh RP members: my advice is to wear your uniform proudly! However, if you are an 11B, you may want to consider the consequences of that beard and turban in a combat deployment. Your mask won't seal and helmet won't fit properly, raising the chances you will become a casualty. You may not fear this; but you should consider the consequences that would have on your unit, the people to your left and right, the mission, and your family. Then do what you need to do.</p><p><br></p>
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CMDCM Gene Treants
Major, I echo your concerns. The proper wearing of emergency equipment is the primary and really only actual reason for grooming standards in the Military today. You can say all you want about this being an "All volunteer force" and it has been for a long time, but that alone does not cut it. SAFETY and being able to perform as a part of the TEAM. If your beard, hair, or uniform options, prevents the proper wearing of your combat uniform or emergency uniform (firefighting or battle gear) and you cannot function or die, then you do not belong in the Military. My life and that of my shipmates id to important ti allow for individual or religious differences that could result in the loss of team members, teams, ships, or wars.
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Personally, I don't have a problem with this but I always thought it was an EO issue that a Female can have long hair as long as it doesn't interfere with wear of the Promask or head gear and I can't. Then again My hair was down past my shoulders when I got to Basic 20 years ago.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
Does proselytizing for our noodly creator resemble a food fight? Perhaps metaphorically...
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So move from equal rights to special rights? I went from having ability to wear a beard in service (USCG 1985) to mandatory clean shaven - to meet equality standards. Reasons given were conformity of safety equipment i.e. helmet, gasmask, OBA. Wonder how this will play out.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Sir, your ability to conform to the changes the military required of you is noble.
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Suspended Profile
Let the gasmask rip those beards off? Have sand flea burrow under their chins? Unable to save that chin due to heavy infection? I can go on about this list till the cow come home.
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I feel that this is a very bad idea for the Army or any of the military services to allow. There is a reason that we have regulations and that we have to follow them. The more the military allows certain allowances for very small groups than it will also alter the total discipline of the force. If people don't like the regulations then don't join its that simple. Once you change things for one person then everything is going to be changed. One day its a turban, then its tattoos, then its female hair policies. What's next???
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Sikhs have waivers from DOD. They obviously have a skill set we haven't been able to fill, so they've been allowed a waiver. If it's such a problem, then maybe we should find some with the same qualifications to fit the bill without authorizing a waiver. Its part of his religion. We have a guy like that in our unit, a combat medic, really nice guy.
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