Posted on Nov 13, 2014
Student sues because of ROTC scholarship and religion denial
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/iknoor-singh/sikh-army-rotc_b_6147686.html
Original post was merged and deleted; looking for your feedback and input concerning suing because you dont get your way. Seems like there is more to this story then what is being reported on.
Original post was merged and deleted; looking for your feedback and input concerning suing because you dont get your way. Seems like there is more to this story then what is being reported on.
Religion
Waivers
Lawsuit
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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"Don't go away angry, just GO AWAY!" We all want, how does it feel? I wanted an ROTC scholarship but I wasn't an ethnic minority. I wanted a school scholarship but I wasn't an athlete, what I got were student loans. Life is making choices not about if I can't have it I'll sue so I can have everything because I'm entitled to it.
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MAJ (Join to see)
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca A sad but true fact - my kids are half white and half Philippino. I always tell them that on any application for scholarships, check "pacific islander", not "caucasian", because your chances are better for getting it awarded. Had a friend in college who was white, but was from Africa and he wanted to check "african american" on the med school application to increase he chances for admission. Had to convince him that might not be a good idea.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
I did hold back MSG Wade Huffman. Note, no 4-letter "colorful metaphors" were used. :-)
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CPT (Join to see)
Sometimes you have to grin and bear a negative in order to receive a larger positive. Many grooming standards are in place not just for professionalism, but for good health and sanitation.
While I am for reasonable accommodation, there are other ways one can serve their country if their religion prevents them from serving in this capacity. Frankly, I find it odd that one would sue the very country they state they want to serve.
In regard to the discussion about race, credence, religion, and other associated groups in respect to hiring, scholarships, etc, I advocate taking all of that information off applications. To segment society into smaller and smaller groups, then enforce a quota for each group is simply too labor intensive. Additionally, the segmenting of society into groups tells us there are differences between everyone. It seems counter-intuitive. Award scholarships and employment based off one's achievements, values and morality, not one's birth.
While I am for reasonable accommodation, there are other ways one can serve their country if their religion prevents them from serving in this capacity. Frankly, I find it odd that one would sue the very country they state they want to serve.
In regard to the discussion about race, credence, religion, and other associated groups in respect to hiring, scholarships, etc, I advocate taking all of that information off applications. To segment society into smaller and smaller groups, then enforce a quota for each group is simply too labor intensive. Additionally, the segmenting of society into groups tells us there are differences between everyone. It seems counter-intuitive. Award scholarships and employment based off one's achievements, values and morality, not one's birth.
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There are waivers for this. He also has a choice to join and follow the regulations or not to join. This feels like just another person who is trying to make a stink for publicity and money.
"I wanted to join my whole life" he says. For some reason though, you were unaware of the grooming standards? I want to grow a beard, but I will have to wait until I get out. I gave up many "wants" to be in the service.
I "want" to be with my wife for our first full year of marriage. Too bad my mission is to deploy to the Middle East before that can happen. I will go proudly because I am proud of this country.
I have respect for the Sikhs and welcome their warrior lifestyle to the military, but if you want to be a whiny little shit about some regulations, then are you really the type of person we want in the military?
"I wanted to join my whole life" he says. For some reason though, you were unaware of the grooming standards? I want to grow a beard, but I will have to wait until I get out. I gave up many "wants" to be in the service.
I "want" to be with my wife for our first full year of marriage. Too bad my mission is to deploy to the Middle East before that can happen. I will go proudly because I am proud of this country.
I have respect for the Sikhs and welcome their warrior lifestyle to the military, but if you want to be a whiny little shit about some regulations, then are you really the type of person we want in the military?
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CMSgt James Nolan
Inserting humor: CPT Zachary Brooks Sir, am I to understand that you are requesting a waiver so that you can become a woman for a year? heh heh heh ( I said insert humor)
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I agree with some here to think that perhaps the ROTC program there is unaware of the waivers available, as many Sikhs currently serve. Having said that, I find it unprofessional and unfortunate that many of you would bash someone for wanting to serve this country. To our knowledge, he hasn't asked for exemptions on anything other than grooming standards. Seems fairly straightforward to me. Grooming standards are not a bonafide job requirement. Should there be standards, yes. However there is room in this military for a little latitude to allow this country to harness ALL of the diverse talent it has to offer. Simply saying no is the easy wrong choice and sells us short from having the best, most talented and diverse military anywhere. If someone is willing to complete all of the required training with said grooming standards, then why not? We already issue shaving profiles, so if the Soldier is willing to train to standard, ie gas chamber etc than why not? The elephant in the room here is that many won't publicly admit that they don't like the way it looks, or equate turbans with terrorism. And that is the REAL issue.
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CPO (Join to see)
I respectfully disagree. How, precisely are the Sikhs planning to don their Kevlar? There are very intelligent people here who are willing to have the discussion but I for one am unwilling to be called a bigot or racist simply because I disagree with someone.
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COL (Join to see)
How does any female with long hair don their Kevlar? See earlier note - Sikhs are already serving in the Army. We aren't setting precedent.
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