What kinds of religious jewelry, if any, are allowed to be worn at Basic Training?

Michael Gilbert — Fri, 08 May 2020 13:02:34 -0400

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.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2020 1:11 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2020 13:11:10 -0400

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.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2020 1:49 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2020 13:49:27 -0400

I wore 2 gold chains throughout my time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2020 3:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 May 2020 15:33:39 -0400

The Army will not issue you any religious icons to wear. They will ask you if your religious affiliation for both your Dog Tags as well as your Soldier Record Brief.

You can wear your current necklace but it cannot be easily seen such as outside of your top but hidden with your dog tags under your under shirt. While we have a lot of Pagan, Muslim, Jewish and Christian personnel wearing necklaces please note that they must be conservative in appearance and not easily seen.

It's wonderful to know a fellow Wiccan American will be joining our talks!

Also if I'm incorrect in my information, let me know and I'll update it.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2021 5:46 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 17:46:29 -0400

You can wear what you want under your shirt while in uniform. 670-1 clearly defines this.unless this has changed.but I digress.

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Apr 5 at 2022 11:32 AM

LTC Ray Buenteo — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 11:32:10 -0400

They will print it in your dog tag

Response by 1SG John Millan made Jan 29 at 2024 3:30 PM

1SG John Millan — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:30:16 -0500

Under the tee shirt, luke a Cross, Star of David, Crescent, etc.

Response by Alek Synchrostargal made Oct 4 at 2025 4:44 PM

Alek Synchrostargal — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:44:24 -0400

I had a small religious piece with me during basic—kept it tucked away unless I really needed a moment with it. Just make sure it doesn’t break any uniform or safety rules. If you're looking for a rosary that’s subtle and meaningful, check out https://jerusalemfaith.com/collections/rosaries . Some of those are small enough to keep in your pocket or in your personal items during training.

Jerusalem Rosary Beads

Rosary Beads from Jerusalem, handcrafted by artisans and often blessed at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - authentic Holy Land prayer companions and gifts.