Posted on Apr 14, 2022
Sikh captain and recruits sue Marine Corps over restrictions on religious articles
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Four Sikh Marines are suing the Defense Department and the Marine Corps over restrictions that would keep them from donning religious articles during deployments abroad and at boot camp.
For Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor, who has served in the Marines since 2017, the move has been over a year in the making. After Toor submitted a request in March 2021 asking the corps to let him keep his beard, long hair and turban, he was granted historic accommodations. But while he’s allowed to have the articles of faith on duty in the U.S., there are still restrictions when it comes to service overseas and in the training of new recruits.
“I have proven my commitment to the Corps through my four years of service, and I’m ready to deploy just like any other service member,” Toor said in a statement released by the Sikh Coalition, a civil rights organization representing him and three other plaintiffs. “I can’t do that, however, as long as I’m left on the bench because of my religious beliefs.”
For Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor, who has served in the Marines since 2017, the move has been over a year in the making. After Toor submitted a request in March 2021 asking the corps to let him keep his beard, long hair and turban, he was granted historic accommodations. But while he’s allowed to have the articles of faith on duty in the U.S., there are still restrictions when it comes to service overseas and in the training of new recruits.
“I have proven my commitment to the Corps through my four years of service, and I’m ready to deploy just like any other service member,” Toor said in a statement released by the Sikh Coalition, a civil rights organization representing him and three other plaintiffs. “I can’t do that, however, as long as I’m left on the bench because of my religious beliefs.”
Sikh captain and recruits sue Marine Corps over restrictions on religious articles
Posted from nbcnews.com
Marines
Lawsuit
Religion
India
Posted 2 y ago
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Doesn't he know the US was founded on "christianity" and nothing else matters?
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SrA John Monette
Not especially. I just can't see why someone should be singled out because of their religion.
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PO1 John Johnson
Don't you know that, for the most part, the US Military bends over backwards to accommodate "religious" accoutrements, regardless of which specie of Religion one adheres to, and within reason. You would know that if you took the time to investigate beyond your own prejudice. Your constant bashing of only "Christianity" indicates an extreme position, high in cowardice but lacking any substance.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The Marine Corps stated that “there can be no full religious accommodations for Marines because beards and religious articles offend the ‘uniformity’ that the Marine Corps claims is critical.” The Marine Corps also said that beards could interfere with the effectiveness of gas masks.
Representatives of the Sikh men argued that the Marine Corps changed its shaving policy in January to allow service members with medical conditions to forgo the rule.
The men’s attorneys also pointed out that other military branches, such as the Army and the Air Force, do not have restrictions that target religious articles.
“I have proven my commitment to the Corps through my four years of service, and I’m ready to deploy just like any other service member,” Toor said in a statement. “I can’t do that, however, as long as I’m left on the bench because of my religious beliefs.”...
..."The Marine Corps stated that “there can be no full religious accommodations for Marines because beards and religious articles offend the ‘uniformity’ that the Marine Corps claims is critical.” The Marine Corps also said that beards could interfere with the effectiveness of gas masks.
Representatives of the Sikh men argued that the Marine Corps changed its shaving policy in January to allow service members with medical conditions to forgo the rule.
The men’s attorneys also pointed out that other military branches, such as the Army and the Air Force, do not have restrictions that target religious articles.
“I have proven my commitment to the Corps through my four years of service, and I’m ready to deploy just like any other service member,” Toor said in a statement. “I can’t do that, however, as long as I’m left on the bench because of my religious beliefs.”...
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