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

Sikhs aren't trying to get away with anything. They want to serve and in fact I bet many serve with distinction. As for more money for food I think they need to figure that out without making a change to BAS. Coupons!!!!!

This is definitely a situation where you make one concession and a hundred more requests come out of the woodworks. I believe the military should try to accommodate religious beliefs but like anything it opens the door to people to take advantage of the system and be dishonest about their requests.

"It is DoD policy that requests for accommodation of religious practices should be approved by commanders..." [emphasis added] To this exhortation is added, however, a critical caveat: requests for accommodation should be approved, but only "when accommodation will not have an adverse impact on military readiness, unit cohesion, standards, or discipline."

It really depends on the troop's career field, operations, and mission capabilities in my opinion. Accommodations can be as for allowing, but as far as pay goes, we all get the same. I was Muslim while serving and received the same BAH as everyone else. Per Islamic dietary law, our foods had to be Halal (I don't follow this real because I eat everything). With our BAH, we were easily able to buy halal food (if I wanted to). The price was not high.

If I were a commander, I would approve a troop that does not receive BAS living in the dorms to choose to recieve BAS so that they may suit their dietary requirements. They will not be given free meals at the dining facility.

I find that the influences of society have allowed this type of demand/request/behavior to cross the lines into our Military. We as the US Military are an institution, a team. We all signed the blank check to the country to defend against all enemies. We did this willingly and stepped forward into the uniform leaving our individuality at the door. That being said we are not a Military of individuals; we are a cohesive unit. If you want to have your individual rights do not join the Military. Just my two cents, and my first response. Perhaps it's just time for me to retire.

If your religious beliefs don't line up with military uniform regulations, I suggest you not reenlist or sign up for another tour of duty. In the military one of the first things that is instilled in us all is uniformity. That's this guys opinion.

The answer is a resounding no. The uniform should be based on the standards already set forth and should not be altered for any religious reason.. no matter the religion. If you keep it this way then nobody can rightfully claim discrimination because everyone is receiving the same treatment. However, the moment you set aside a standard for one religion then you are going to have to do so for all religions otherwise you actually will be discriminatory. Leave it as is. The service member is or should be aware of the standards prior to joining and don't have to join up if they can't accept it.

What happened to uniformity shrouded in tradition. Why ask to modify over a century of tradition to placate a small minority. Why serve if it goes beyond your current beliefs.

When is the last time we got gassed?
How many service members even have pro-masks?
Because I'm the only person in my current unit with one....
Pro-masks have gone the way of bayonets....they are in our history books, and in our military inventory, but no one actually has them and uses them....
I have a mask, and I haven't been to the chamber since BCT in 2009....

And BAS is for Basic Subsistence... if you want to subsist on anything beyond the basics, it comes out of your Base Pay.

No, the military is not a religious gathering.

In America, as a citizen, you have the right to practice your inalienable rights such as free speech, practicing religion and everything else the bill of rights States becsaue they are given to you by a higher power not the Government or governing body where you reside. The army is different, the armyand military in general is not civilian society, it's professional soldiers tasked with the responsibility of protecting our beloved society . serving in my opinion is not a right or a privilege. It's a duty. Something that of your able to you should sacrifice a few years of looking and wearing what you want in order to protect and defend our society if your able. It's giving back to those before you and after you who have allowed you to live peacefully within our beloved society. Exceptions in an Army can only be made on personnel if it's for the good of the army. I am a libertarian, but the army has to run to serve the entire force instead of the needs of the individual which is completely opposite to how civilian life should be. In civilian world no one should be infringed upon because no one should lose their rights at society's request. In the military the group cannot be infringed upon becsaue the loss here is the effectiveness of winning in open combat. You take a oath that says I will protect Constitution and obey the orders of the officers appointed over me so help me God. Not that will want certain accommodations made for me due to my God and then follow the rest of my oath. We should look, move, and fight as a whole, not have certain differences that causes us to loose that uniformity. The work day is from 530 am to whenever last formation is. Wear your uniform and head gear that everyone is wearing. When the day is done switch to whatever civilian outfit you enjoy wearing and wear whatever it is you feel is important. When you wear the uniform you aren't only defending your beliefs but beliefs of people that you may highly oppose. This is your job. This is your duty. Do it.