Posted on Jan 5, 2017
New Army policy OKs soldiers to wear hijabs, turbans and religious beards
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Observant Sikhs and conservative Muslim women are now able to wear religious head coverings, thanks to a directive issued Tuesday that updates the Army's grooming and appearance regulation.
Sikh soldiers also are allowed to maintain their beards, according to the update.
Soldiers will still have to submit their requests for brigade-level approval, but the move opens up service to people who otherwise would have had to abandon cherished religious practices to serve.
Since 2009, religious accommodation requests received by the Army have largely been from soldiers wanting to wear a hijab or a Sikh turban or patka with uncut beard and hair, according to the directive.
"Based on the successful examples of soldiers currently serving with these accommodations," Army Secretary Eric Fanning wrote in the directive, he decided to move forward with those accommodations as long as the colors match the uniform of the day.
"The Army has reviewed its policies to ensure we allow every opportunity for qualified soldiers to serve, regardless of their faith background," Lt. Col. Randy Taylor, an Army spokesman, said in a statement. "We believe in preserving the First Amendment right of free exercise of religion for those who want to serve in the U.S. Army."
But when training or deployment calls for it, soldiers will still be required to wear combat helmets or other protective gear.
“While we still seek a permanent policy change that enables all religious minorities to freely serve without exception, we are pleased with the progress that this new policy represents for religious tolerance and diversity by our nation's largest employer,” said Harsimran Kaur, legal director for the Sikh Coalition, in a press release from Becket Law, a firm that represents several Sikh soldiers.
Kaur is co-counsel for Capt. Simratpal Singh, whose 2016 lawsuit against the Defense Department lit on fire the discussion of religious accommodations to uniform policy.
Previously, Sikhs had been able to wear beards and turbans in the Army, up until a 1980s ban.
"Sikhs have a history of heroic service in militaries around the world — including in the U.S. until about thirty years ago," Eric Baxter, senior counsel at Becket Law, said in the release. "Now their strength will be added back to the Army without the threat of forced shaves and haircuts.”
Staying in regs
Though Fanning's decision opens up the option for hijabs, turbans and beards, soldiers will have to submit requests with an explanation of their sincerely held religious beliefs to their brigade commanders for approval.
If the commander, or a designated O-6, denies the request, they must send it to the G-1, who will send it on to the Army secretary for final approval.
Hijabs must be worn underneath patrol caps or berets, for example, and made out of a "subdued" material -- nothing shiny -- that matches uniforms, which could include black, brown, green, tan or navy.
"The material will be free of designs or markings, except that a Soldier wearing the Army Combat Uniform may wear a hijab in a camouflage pattern matching the uniform," according to the directive.
The scarf also has to be worn close to the hair and jaw lines, so not covering any part of the face, and the ends have to be tucked into the uniform top.
Beards must be under 2 inches, measured from the bottom of the chin. Grooming products are allowed to keep them neat, but nothing petroleum-based is allowed if a protective mask needs to be worn.
Turbans, as well as under-turban head coverings called patkas, have to follow the same color guidelines as the hijab. There are no bun size restrictions for turbans, but hair has to be completely covered.
And soldiers assigned to Ranger, Special Forces or airborne units will be able to wear tan, green or maroon turbans to match the berets.
Sikh or Muslim soldiers who were previously granted exemptions will receive new accommodation memoranda by Jan. 10, according to the directive.
The directive also calls on the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology to test existing equipment as well as alternative gear that can provide better protection for soldiers with beards.
"Study results show that beard growth consistently degrades the protection factor provided by the protective masks currently in the Army inventory to an unacceptable degree," the directive states. "Although the addition of a powered air-purifying respirator and/or protective mask with a loose-fitting face piece has demonstrated potential to provide adequate protection for bearded individuals operating in hazardous environments, further research, development, testing and evaluation are necessary to identify masks that are capable of operational use and can be adequately maintained in field conditions."
Until then, soldiers with a religious accommodation allowing a beard may not attend schools requiring toxic chemical agent training, nor can they be assigned to positions requiring compliance with biological, chemical or nuclear surety requirements as outlined in Army regulations. This means bearded soldiers may not serve as CBRN officers or specialists.
A beard accommodation also may be temporarily suspended when a specific or concrete threat of exposure to toxic CBRN agents requires all soldiers to be clean-shaven, including those with medical profiles, according to the directive.
In addition to these changes, the directive from Fanning also allows female soldiers to wear dreadlocks or locks in accordance with existing grooming standards for braids, cornrows and twists.
Soldiers also can wear religious bracelets, similar in style to medical alert, missing in action, prisoner of war, or killed in action identification bracelets, while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish SrA Christopher Wright SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM SP5 Michael Rathbun SGT Michael Thorin Cynthia Croft
Sikh soldiers also are allowed to maintain their beards, according to the update.
Soldiers will still have to submit their requests for brigade-level approval, but the move opens up service to people who otherwise would have had to abandon cherished religious practices to serve.
Since 2009, religious accommodation requests received by the Army have largely been from soldiers wanting to wear a hijab or a Sikh turban or patka with uncut beard and hair, according to the directive.
"Based on the successful examples of soldiers currently serving with these accommodations," Army Secretary Eric Fanning wrote in the directive, he decided to move forward with those accommodations as long as the colors match the uniform of the day.
"The Army has reviewed its policies to ensure we allow every opportunity for qualified soldiers to serve, regardless of their faith background," Lt. Col. Randy Taylor, an Army spokesman, said in a statement. "We believe in preserving the First Amendment right of free exercise of religion for those who want to serve in the U.S. Army."
But when training or deployment calls for it, soldiers will still be required to wear combat helmets or other protective gear.
“While we still seek a permanent policy change that enables all religious minorities to freely serve without exception, we are pleased with the progress that this new policy represents for religious tolerance and diversity by our nation's largest employer,” said Harsimran Kaur, legal director for the Sikh Coalition, in a press release from Becket Law, a firm that represents several Sikh soldiers.
Kaur is co-counsel for Capt. Simratpal Singh, whose 2016 lawsuit against the Defense Department lit on fire the discussion of religious accommodations to uniform policy.
Previously, Sikhs had been able to wear beards and turbans in the Army, up until a 1980s ban.
"Sikhs have a history of heroic service in militaries around the world — including in the U.S. until about thirty years ago," Eric Baxter, senior counsel at Becket Law, said in the release. "Now their strength will be added back to the Army without the threat of forced shaves and haircuts.”
Staying in regs
Though Fanning's decision opens up the option for hijabs, turbans and beards, soldiers will have to submit requests with an explanation of their sincerely held religious beliefs to their brigade commanders for approval.
If the commander, or a designated O-6, denies the request, they must send it to the G-1, who will send it on to the Army secretary for final approval.
Hijabs must be worn underneath patrol caps or berets, for example, and made out of a "subdued" material -- nothing shiny -- that matches uniforms, which could include black, brown, green, tan or navy.
"The material will be free of designs or markings, except that a Soldier wearing the Army Combat Uniform may wear a hijab in a camouflage pattern matching the uniform," according to the directive.
The scarf also has to be worn close to the hair and jaw lines, so not covering any part of the face, and the ends have to be tucked into the uniform top.
Beards must be under 2 inches, measured from the bottom of the chin. Grooming products are allowed to keep them neat, but nothing petroleum-based is allowed if a protective mask needs to be worn.
Turbans, as well as under-turban head coverings called patkas, have to follow the same color guidelines as the hijab. There are no bun size restrictions for turbans, but hair has to be completely covered.
And soldiers assigned to Ranger, Special Forces or airborne units will be able to wear tan, green or maroon turbans to match the berets.
Sikh or Muslim soldiers who were previously granted exemptions will receive new accommodation memoranda by Jan. 10, according to the directive.
The directive also calls on the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology to test existing equipment as well as alternative gear that can provide better protection for soldiers with beards.
"Study results show that beard growth consistently degrades the protection factor provided by the protective masks currently in the Army inventory to an unacceptable degree," the directive states. "Although the addition of a powered air-purifying respirator and/or protective mask with a loose-fitting face piece has demonstrated potential to provide adequate protection for bearded individuals operating in hazardous environments, further research, development, testing and evaluation are necessary to identify masks that are capable of operational use and can be adequately maintained in field conditions."
Until then, soldiers with a religious accommodation allowing a beard may not attend schools requiring toxic chemical agent training, nor can they be assigned to positions requiring compliance with biological, chemical or nuclear surety requirements as outlined in Army regulations. This means bearded soldiers may not serve as CBRN officers or specialists.
A beard accommodation also may be temporarily suspended when a specific or concrete threat of exposure to toxic CBRN agents requires all soldiers to be clean-shaven, including those with medical profiles, according to the directive.
In addition to these changes, the directive from Fanning also allows female soldiers to wear dreadlocks or locks in accordance with existing grooming standards for braids, cornrows and twists.
Soldiers also can wear religious bracelets, similar in style to medical alert, missing in action, prisoner of war, or killed in action identification bracelets, while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish SrA Christopher Wright SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM SP5 Michael Rathbun SGT Michael Thorin Cynthia Croft
New Army policy OKs soldiers to wear hijabs, turbans and religious beards
Posted from armytimes.com
Regulation
DA Pam 670-1
Uniforms
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
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This is the U S Military and You will wear the uniform correctly period What my religion says it's ok to smoke pot. Once you open the pandora box you can not put it back
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MSG Reid Zohfeld
The problem you fail to understand is that the military abides by rules and regulations that the civilian population does not
So what you saying everyone can wear a beard and what ever they want
For instance if my religion use Marijuana during there service to enlighten their inner being then everyone can do the same
Once the modern military or the WOKE starts Dictating what can and not be done then our military will stop being a force to be reckoned
As I have said before This new military are wimps and Thank GOD I am retired from from today’s needed soldiers
So what you saying everyone can wear a beard and what ever they want
For instance if my religion use Marijuana during there service to enlighten their inner being then everyone can do the same
Once the modern military or the WOKE starts Dictating what can and not be done then our military will stop being a force to be reckoned
As I have said before This new military are wimps and Thank GOD I am retired from from today’s needed soldiers
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Cpl (Join to see)
Uniformity is a nice concept, but needs to be tempered by reality and good sense. I am not familiar with army regulations, but in the Marines, we are allowed, but not required, to wear watches. Some wear them, others do not. We still won Fallujah. Women are allowed to wear a female dress uniform, and as of the most recent regulation, are not required to. We still won at Incheon. A change that allows a new segment of our population to join opens the door to more servicemen, many of whom bring skills, knowledge, and strengths to bear against our enemies. As our enemies grow more numerous and more skilled, we need to as well. The primary goal of the military is to destroy the enemy, and if allowing a few people to wear turbans helps us do that, then it is both irresponsible and a betrayal of the trust of our country to not do so. You do however make a good point about where to draw the line, because as I said earlier, our actions must be tempered by reality and good sense. I would draw the line at established religions. Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, etc. have existed for over a millennium. If you are the high grand prophet of the church of the purple box, no. If your religion has a well established practice and it does not prevent you from destroying the enemy or supporting those that do, I see no problem and much benefit to changing some regulations. On a more lighthearted side note, the turban looks better than those berets, maybe the army should just switch to that fully. As a bonus, uniformity would even be restored.
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MSG Reid Zohfeld
Again a ok-informed marine
I am glad to be retired
You know like the Taliban just mocked the Marines in the flag at
IWO But throw out all traditions and regulations for the few the woke can feel better about themselves
Cpl (Join to see)
I am glad to be retired
You know like the Taliban just mocked the Marines in the flag at
IWO But throw out all traditions and regulations for the few the woke can feel better about themselves
Cpl (Join to see)
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Cpl (Join to see)
I don't see what the Taliban emulating a symbol of American power and courage have to do with anything, but tradition must never stand in the way of warfighting. If the "old army" was incapable of improving for the sake of traditions, then I am proud to be a part of a military that puts American safety at the forefront of every decision. Otherwise we would end up like every other group of history's great warriors. The Spartans don't fight in Greece, the samurai don't take heads in the mountains of Japan, the tiger warriors are all but forgotten, the janissaries died in shame as rebels no longer needed by their own sultan, and forget Hadrian's Wall, the once-great Roman legions have not protected the city of Rome for over 1500 years. If you are not improving, you are falling behind. The Army and the Marine Corps are both falling behind in recruiting, so maybe a little diversity might help. It is difficult to run the world without a military, and if we are incapable, history proves that someone else will.
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Whatever floats the Army's boat, I guess, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. Glad I'm retired.
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Sorry. You chose to make a change in your life when you joined the military. It is not fair to other soldiers to allow some to have beards and special head coverings. What happened to uniformity? We all roll the sleeves up at the same time. We start wearing the winter jacket as a uniform at the same time. Now what, a man can claim he "identifies as a woman" so he will be able to wear a skirt in formation? Too much giving-in going on. If you have flat feet diabetes, well controlled, or any other number of things that prohibit those that want to join then I guess religious traditions that prevent you from conforming to the regs can prohibit you also. Just like all the fat ranking officers I see that should be forced out if the can't keep within the weight regs just like any low ranking can be. Maybe being fat is their religion? Hmmmm.
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Brad Miller
GySgt (Join to see) it must be a sad thing to live with a soul as vicious and ugly as yours. You have my sympathy.
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SSG Greg Miech
So police officers, fireman, Capital Police for the federal buildings can wear these religious apparel also? Is it a discretion violation for them not to be eligible for Marine Corps guards at the White House, Honor Guard, special forces? Do you want your cook with an unkept, groomed beard working on your food in the Mess Hall or giving mouth to mouth in an emergency? It is called UNIFORMITY. It is there for a reason from hygiene, discipline and professionalism. Those who allow it had forgotten their duty a long time ago.
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GySgt (Join to see)
SSG Greg Miech LoL the lies you have been sold. Traveled the world ate many different countries. Sikh’s have been serving food on the daily basis since before we have had a country. They have been serving in the military longer than the U.S. has been a country. Your hygiene argument is a grand lie, clean shaved face in the U.S. didn’t happen until post WWI. Then the military began to perpetuate the grand lie of hygiene. Then the 50’s came along and national conformity became the thing clean shave short hair. Do a little research bud.
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