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 >1 y ago
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Grooming and uniform regulations/standards are well spelled out for Officer Candidates and Enlisted Recruits upon entry and during initial training. While I can appreciate the Capt's desire to adhere to his religions strictures I am obviously curious as to what other commitments his beliefs call for that would interfere with his complying with other existing regulations or executing/issuing orders? As to his, and the other recruits, suing the Marine Corps... Go for it, but if he, or the other recruits are looking for any degree of financial compensation, then tough.
Final thought... You join the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps doesn't join you.
Final thought... You join the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps doesn't join you.
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