Should the Army make exceptions to uniform policy based on religious beliefs?

I guess I am insensitive too. Look up the meaning of the word UNIFORM! It doesn't mean significantly varying from a standard. As others have said, we have a volunteer military, if you can't/won't live up to the regulations then you can find other ways to serve our country that don't require wearing a uniform---CIA, NSA, FBI, or any one of hundreds of federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies.

I am A Christin man myself I admire peoples freedom of religion in this country and that they have the right to practice it to an extent. When you put the uniform on how I see it you represent the Military not you as an individual. Wear A neckless or get A tat if your so set on people physically seeing your religion. I wear A Celtic cross all the time its tight can be hidden not shiny does not get in the way. could be tucked away next to your identification tags. The Military is an origination that you represent you represent them not A church. we don't want people to think we are A religious army America was not founded on that sort of thing it broke away from that sort of thing. hey wear your head dress on your own time. when your A man/women in unformed wear your patrol cap you represent your country and Military nothing more nothing less. that is just my opinion. I am all for God and Country and the person to your left and right. That does not mean I'm going to dress up like the pope in battle rattle. Or on Military time.

TSgt James Emanuel - While I see your point, even the British Empire didn't attempt to make them conform. The military appearance isn't 100% uniform even without the Sikhs. Maternity uniforms, and shaving profiles come to mind.

I've had the mask conversation with CBRN soldiers from multiple countries and civilians that have worn them. It is easy to get a seal with a beard. You have to know how your face will interact with the mask, but all that takes is a bit of training. Otherwise I spot on agree with your point of view.

SGT David T. - Thank you for reminding me. A beard was once a sticking point as pertaining to blacks. Their facial hair caused serious problems with daily shaving. With medical approval, they could let the beard grow, but it had to be neat and trim. Uniforms for maternity are obviously valid medical exemptions. Allowing "religious" headgear is not.

TSgt James Emanuel - I do see your point. I just don't think we should exclude 500K+ people from service because we ask them to violate one of the most basic tenants of their faith. They simply will not do it. Personally, I could care less if someone shaves as long as they can do the job and do it well. At the end of the day, it comes down to them being able to close with and destroy the enemy.

I disagree sir, Christianity or any other religion is not gibberish, and whether you would like to believe it or not our REPUBLIC was formed on Religion. The fact that they where looking for a place not to be persecuted for what they believed and how they wanted to pursue there own faith and didn't want to conform to Catholicism. Most that came over claimed protestant if I am not mistake( might be).

I agree wit the Major.

Last time I checked, we have no official religion, language, or skin color to be a US citizen..... so "They joined OUR country's Military" is bullshit. We are talking about AMERICAN CITIZENS who want to serve OUR country, without violating the basic tenants of their religion.

SSG Carlos Madden - Roger I FULLY understand that. So Because I am (Place Religion here) the military should let the special case not shave a wear a turbine. If one can do it what is to say I claim to be whatever religion and not shave. Where does it stop! If they don't have to shave heck, lets just all not shave and leave it to fate. I'm not trying to bash there faith at all.

SGT Bryon Sergent I don't think you're trying to bash anyone, its a fair point. But there's a difference in creating an exception to policy and the Army completely throwing the rule out. The way I see it is if you really want to go though that process, change your religion and paperwork, go through the proper channels and apply for an exception to policy than more power to you. My guess is only people who are truly committed and need these religious exceptions would jump through those kinds of hoops. Realistically, it's a small minority of people and I doubt it will have a great affect on unit moral and readiness. Where does it stop? I have no idea but I also don't think we're going to see a groundswell of service members suddenly convert to sheiks and go though this process just to grow their locks and beards out.

The reality is this process has been around for a while and the Army has only had a few people go though it. "From 1948 to 1984, men of the Sikh religion were permitted to serve while maintaining their articles of faith. In 1984, Gen. John A. Wickham Jr., then Chief of Staff of the Army, eliminated the exception for Sikhs and others who wore 'conspicuous' items of faith. Sikhs who were previously serving on active duty were grandfathered in by the Army. Two Sikhs in the medical field, Col. Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, a doctor, and Col. G.B. Singh, a dentist, continued to serve until their retirements in 2009 and 2007, respectively..." ("Sikh Soldiers allowed to serve, retain their articles of faith" via Army Times; March 25, 2010).

We're a segment of the US population that constantly takes issue with the fact that we're 1% or less of that population and thus disproportionally affected by recent war. Shouldn't we be looking for more ways to represent the United States' religious diversity in the armed forces so one part of the population isn't shouldering all of the military burden? I think we should.

SSG Carlos Madden - That is true. And those people are STILL allowed to do so. Anyone can move here and practice their religion without fear of persecution of their religious beliefs. You can still join the military and practice whatever religion you wish with without fear of persecution. The only thing you can't do, currently, is change the standards of the military based on your specific beliefs. There is no persecution in that and they choose to join the military so they know that is the case going in. The only argument that could possibly be made is if they were drafted as it is then no longer a choice for them to join. However, as I said earlier, it is a conscious choice on their part to join today's military.