Will the Citadel have to reverse its hijab decision?

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:32:07 -0400

http://abcnews4.com/news/education-news/the-citadel-rejects-muslim-cadets-request-to-wear-hijab

The Citadel rejects Muslim cadet's request to wear hijab

A Muslim student admitted to the Class of 2020 Corps of Cadets at The Citadel will not be allowed to wear a religious headscarf with the military college's standard uniform.In a statement released by Citadel President Lt. Gen. John Rosa, the decision to re

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 10 at 2016 11:36 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:36:22 -0400

I hope they do. How sad and unfortunate to deny the skills and knowledge that these ladies may have brought to the table. I know they call it the "Uniformed" services but I do believe in a degree of flexibility in any system.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 10 at 2016 11:37 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:37:14 -0400

CPT Aaron Kletzing wow, this is new for sure. Regulation is regulation, I suppose, there is always a loophole!
According to page 46 of the U.S. Army Regulation AR 600-20, religious headgear may be worn while in the Army uniform if the headgear is subdued in color, can be completely covered by standard military headgear, and does not interfere with the wear or proper functioning of protective clothing or equipment. The other service branches have similar policies, based on Dept. of Defense Directive 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices within the Military Services.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made May 10 at 2016 11:42 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:42:27 -0400

To my knowledge, the Citadel is a private institution and not bound by DoD or Army regulations. Unless they receive federal funding, they have the right to enforce their own dress codes. Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:42 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:42:38 -0400

At some point, there will be a lawsuit...and the Citadel will lose and they will have to change their policy.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 11:57 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 11:57:43 -0400

I doubt they will reverse their decision or be required to. The Hijab would not be able to be properly worn in uniform and not be able to take away from the uniform appearance.

If you want to go to a military styled college, there is a certain standard you are required to conform to. If you do not want to conform to that standard (or set of standards) you can always go to a Civilian, who gives a s#!t styled college. The education is basically the same, but in the civilian one, you can smoke dope, act stupid, and fail without having to deal with your choices for a little while.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made May 10 at 2016 12:11 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Tue, 10 May 2016 12:11:05 -0400

Following the current trend toward accommodation, they will likely have to reverse themselves or suffer a loss of federal funding, protests, pillory in the press, and IRS audits. The federal government no longer values selflessness, honor, or duty. They will drive a reversal because there is no value in subordinating your own norms, values and desires to the norms and values of your nation or your unit. It is all about me...I define my own reality, my own rule-set, and if I can find a way to become a "protected class" in order to force my rule-set on others, I will.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 12:16 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 12:16:25 -0400

In my opinion, No. The Citadel is a private school and one of the requirements is uniformity. But the liberals will try to push their agenda anyway.

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made May 10 at 2016 2:42 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Tue, 10 May 2016 14:42:57 -0400

Being public funding does cause a conundrum.
The army has presedence but only in the Chaplin corps.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 4:55 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 May 2016 16:55:49 -0400

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/05/10/muslim-family-considers-suit-citadel-headscarf.html

Looks like the family is thinking about forcing change.

Muslim Family Considers Suit against Citadel over Headscarf

The Citadel military college has decided a new Muslim student cannot wear her traditional Muslim headscarf if she enrolls.

Response by SSG Curtis Dietrich made May 10 at 2016 8:17 PM

SSG Curtis Dietrich — Tue, 10 May 2016 20:17:45 -0400

They will cave just like every other institution does, no backbone!!

Response by PO3 David Fries made May 11 at 2016 6:19 AM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 11 May 2016 06:19:44 -0400

Is the Citadel a private institution? Does it receive Federal or State funding? If it is private, then it should have the right to stand by their decision. If they receive Federal or State funding, then they may be forced to change their decision.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 2:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2016 14:34:26 -0400

If they are going to embrace their religion more than their country during school time, who says they won't do the same during war time?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 7:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2016 19:21:38 -0400

The Citadel is a public school, it says so right on the front page of their website. They have to be public in order to receive federal funding for ROTC. If ordered to let the student wear a hijab, they will have to comply.

Response by COL Jonathan Cohen made May 23 at 2016 5:10 PM

COL Jonathan Cohen — Mon, 23 May 2016 17:10:06 -0400

The school shouldn't change its decision but if it does, it will lose face by backing down to pressure. Muslims have attended and are attending the school and that is not an issue. When someone wants to be different and not be part of the whole, that is a disruption and should not be allowed to happen (not to mention the uniform policy has been in place for years). The school is not saying she can't be a Muslim...she can and she will be allowed to observe her faith. The hijab issue is indicative of a larger American problem. People used to come to America to become Americans and to be part of the melting pot experience. Many people today have diverse backgrounds and identities and want to be recognized for their difference versus wanting to be recognized as Americans. Be who you want to be whether that is Black, Hispanic, Gay, Transgender, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic...it doesn't matter but be an American first and recognize that being part of the larger good is just as important if not more important than identifying first with that which sets you apart...just my two cents.