US Senator asks Carter to end dress policy for Sikhs in army

A top US Senator today asked Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to repeal a dress policy in its army which prevents Sikhs from serving in the military with their religious articles intact.
"Under current Department of Defense (DoD) policy, implemented in 1988, members of the Sikh faith are unable to serve in the military unless they abandon their articles of faith-namely maintaining unshorn hair, beards, and wearing a turban," Senator Tim Kaine wrote in a letter to Carter.
"While I appreciate the importance of military protocol and understand the importance of unit cohesion, I do not believe that any American should have to choose between his or her religion and service to country," Kaine said in the letter.

Thousands of American soldiers and officers already receive grooming and uniform accommodations for reasons other than religion, he said.
In June this year, the US District Court for the District of Columbia held that a Sikh's individual readiness is not diminished any more than the readiness of service members who receive non-religious grooming and uniform accommodations, he added.
"I ask that you take all necessary steps to ensure that this policy is rescinded," Kaine said.

In his letter, Kaine highlighted the bravery and valor of the Sikh soldiers' world over.
Sikhs fought bravely in defense of our nation in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In addition to their history of military service in America, Sikhs serve in the militaries of Great Britain, Canada, and India, among others, and as United Nations Peacekeepers-often working closely with American troops in troubled regions, he said.

"The ability of our service members to partner with allies from nations with different grooming standards, and the accommodation of "relaxed grooming standards" of many US Special Forces units demonstrates that facial hair and other physical attributes do not negatively impact our forces combat effectiveness or performance of military duties," Kaine said.
"By disallowing members of the Sikh faith the ability to fully practice their religion while serving, the military denies itself access to the important talents and abilities of these individuals who are willing to fight and die for our nation," he said.
"Including Sikh Americans will enrich the military's understanding of diverse cultures, languages, and religions, thereby allowing us to fully appreciate not only the rich fabric of our own country, but also the lands where we send our service members into harm's way," Kaine said.

"These words are especially relevant in today's modern world. I urge you to abide by the spirit of this message and allow all Sikh Americans to serve without giving up vital aspects of their religion," he added.