Updated?

Sir if this was a fact then we would need to worry about everyone. Evangelicals, Catholics, Muslim, Jewish, wickens, etc....
Remember we have a chaplain corps.

Sir you do understand it applies to everyone. You can be a Jedi for all I care, do your J.O.B. and go through the process and apply for the accommodation with the GCMA.

I always thought it would be funny to make a YouTube skit of "PFC Samson" constantly having to show his "NO haircut, NO Shave" profile because he literally had super-strength from not cutting his hair.

"Actually, Sir, when the M88 broke down, they just called PFC Samson, and he was able to make the recovery."

1SG Alexis Ruiz - Until the first time that he gets gassed... Or worst than that a good old fashioned bioterror weapon. Like COVID-19 And then it's off to the barbershop!!!!

This is a great and well-though out response; thanks!

That's an interesting answer Sfc. Thanks for your thoughts!

IF a GI was drafted - maybe - allowed an exception - but the volunteer Army - NO exemptions.

SFC Jason,your response is great but I don’t agree with you because there’s is no fair play here; this is a complete discrimination against religious belief.
Since the Army is currently not drafting anybody to service and you choose to volunteer then it means you giving up your preferences so you go with what ever regulations that comes your way but not to request for any exception.

The fact that it is still an active action is encouraging. Much easier to say no, because reasons.

Approved!

Negative to the uniform waiver. That is not explicitly part of the Nazarite vow. In my case, I experienced such profound intercession in my life as a result of my faith, and to honor my God, I took, specifically a Nazarite vow. I acknowledge there is a prohibition on the mixed fabrics, but I am not to familiar with those aspects and would have to do research.

It has been approved!

Maj Marty Hogan, I agree with your sentiments, but the Services have become very politically correct. There are medical reasons to allow a shaving waiver and I have no problem with them. The whole religious exemption to various regulations bothers me because I think it degrades good order and discipline. However, being clean shaven didn't become a military thing until the 20th Century. The use of gas masks during the WWI probably had a lot to do with the requirement, not to mention lice in the trenches. My Grandfather's diary of his WWI service says he was deloused prior to boarding the ship for redeployment from France to the US.

The actual literal translation is The Hebrew verb רצח (r-ṣ-ḥ, also transliterated retzach, ratzákh, ratsakh etc.) is the word in the original text that is translated as "murder" , but it has a wider range of meanings, generally describing destructive activity, including meanings "to break, to dash to pieces" as well as "to slay, kill, murder".

See, I like to see stuff like this. The Air Force has long held the reputation of actually giving a sh*t about their personnel, so this doesn't surprise me. Fact remains is the policies are here. They weren't when I first enlisted and at that point, I had not experienced the hammering of lofe yet. But now there is the policy, and I have gone through circumstances that make it appropriate for me. Besides, I'm not retiring from the Army. I've got an amazing civilian career, and one foot out of the Army anyway. I am just looking for them to respect my rights according to their own policies while I move on down the river. You know?

Exemptions have been made way before you enlisted.

Cargo Specialist. They transfer containerized and loose cargo using a RTCH and other MHE.

Negative. I rarely use this profile, and I have no idea how to update this. It's a cert I have, but that's not my primary mos.

LTC Jason Mackay good Intel sir. Mostly I do seaport operations.

SGT (Join to see) same operation, different views

Samson was a Nazarite and a feared Warrior. he killed many enemies of Israel. John the Baptist was a Nazarite as well. I believe you way be confusing Fasting with A Nazarite Vow Fasting has a time limit usually up to 40 days as anything more can cause irreparable physical harm also Fasting is supposed to be done in private without drawing attention to ones self. (Which is why Jesus called out Religious Leader because they would walk around saying look at me I'm fasting I'm so Holy). A Nazarite Vow can have no time limit. Upon the the required verbal statement of taking the vow the stated the length of the vow. (I will read into this that it is a Lifetime Vow as if it was a 30-40 day vow a profile would suffice.) The Vow as it is an outward sign or symbol of the commitment taken.. In the case of Samson and John it was directed before their birth. Ceremonial Unclean requires following a proscribed method of cleaning. Women are "Unclean" while menstruating. The vow has nothing to do with a Denomination. And the argument of "you knew you were joining the Army" does not hold water. I have seen Military Members Convert and then ask for exceptions for their new faith. I have also seen Members abuse the system (A cook at Ft. Carson claimed she converted but then refused to do her job because she would handle "Unclean Food" I believe there was a whole section on her in the forums a couple of years ago. She was using religion falsely to try to get out of trouble she had gotten into.)

Bottom line is there is a process. He as initiated it. I'll assume, once again he made the Statement for life, and it was witnesses by at least two individual. Also by asking for the Waiver he is putting the Statement into writing. If he gets the waiver he will have to keep a copy of it, similar to a profile, and produce it if requested. other than that anyone questioning his vow would be subject to EO intervention and get a 5 block on their OER/NCOER (Does not support EO)

I find this discussion interesting (but some idea may get convoluted if I missed clarifying questions or answers I apologize) because if he had covered to Islam everyone would be falling over themselves to accommodate him. But because he is a Christian its OK to question him and/or say you knew you could not do that when you joined.

SSG (Join to see) - SSG, I am not confused on fasting and am well versed in the Nazarite Vow. The Nazarite Vow is meant to be a public showing of your devotion to God. It is not commonly practiced today, or rather after the birth of Jesus, as it is old testament. The idea of the Vow is that you must live by the three requirements for the length of the Vow, this is established upon taking the Vow. My point of this whole thing is that this is not a requirement of any Christian faith. This is a voluntary act within a Christian belief, rather a Hebrew belief.

Although it may seem like I have an issue with his choice to take this Vow, or his religion; I have zero issues with either. I think it is commendable that someone would have that level of devotion to their beliefs to take on such a task. There are not only the 3 requirements, there are also sacrifices that will need to be made at the conclusion of his vow.

My issue is that the Vow is not a requirement of religion, the Vow must have declared date of completion when you take it, so in my opinion I do not feel there should be any accommodations made for this soldier that are a permanent waiver. If he could say that he was doing the vow for 100 days, then by all means we should be able to accommodate his needs for that time. There have only been 3 people, according to scripture, that have every participated in this vow for the entirety of their lives; as you noted in your post.

As far as any religion, I treat them all the same. There are aspect of ones religion that are outlined within it that are requirements to practice that religion. If a soldier asks for an accommodation that can be shown as a requirement to their practice, I would agree that an accommodation should be made, not matter what religion they chose.

Capt Gregory Prickett - Sir, honestly, just move on from my post... I never said he could not practice his faith... All I said was if the vow is not required, than there is nothing in his obligation to the military that is preventing him from being a practicing Christian.

You just keep trying to put those words in my mouth though... thank goodness you are AF and retired...

SSG (Join to see) no, there are no concessions. That is part of the biblical mandate as part of the vow. Like "if" you are forced by circumstance to be around a dead body, then you are mandated to shave your head/ beard on the Sabbath and restart the growth for the remainder of however long your vow is. There is no grey area.