Posted on Jun 16, 2015
MAJ Senior Observer   Controller/Trainer
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Iknoor singh 600x400
A Federal Judge has ruled that Iknoor Singh's adherence to his Sikh faith - wearing facial hair, keeping his hair long, but wrapped in a turban, and carrying a sharp knife on his person - would not diminish his capacity to serve the nation he loves, the United States of America, as a future Officer in the United States Army. Do you feel too many allowances are being made for his faith or do you feel he should be welcomed into the ranks if he can successfully fulfill the requirements for Commissioning? What say you, RP?
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(Note: Full article added by RP Staff.)

MINEOLA, NY — A Sikh college student from New York said Monday he is excited about a federal court decision that will permit him to enroll in the U.S. Army's Reserve Officer Training Corps without shaving his beard, cutting his hair, or removing his turban.

U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued the ruling Friday in Washington, D.C., saying 20-year-old Iknoor Singh's adherence to his religious beliefs would not diminish his ability to serve in the military.

"I didn't believe it at first when I heard about the decision," said Singh, who lives in the New York City borough of Queens.

He told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday: "It was kind of surreal. This is something I have been fighting for for two or three years. I'm excited and nervous; very excited to learn."

Singh, who will be a junior next fall studying finance and business analytics at Hofstra University on Long Island, said he has had a lifelong interest in public service. He speaks four languages — English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu — and he said he wants to work in military intelligence.

"Becoming an officer is not an easy thing," he conceded. "You have to be proficient in many areas."

Sikhism, a 500-year-old religion founded in India, requires its male followers to wear a turban and beard and keep their hair uncut.

Under a policy announced last year, troops can seek waivers on a case-by-case basis to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices. Approval depends on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.

Currently, only a few Sikhs serve in the U.S. Army who have been granted religious accommodations.

In her ruling, Jackson said, "It is difficult to see how accommodating plaintiff's religious exercise would do greater damage to the Army's compelling interests in uniformity, discipline, credibility, unit cohesion, and training than the tens of thousands of medical shaving profiles the Army has already granted."

Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Ben Garrett, said in a statement the decision is currently being examined. "The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin," he said.

Hofstra spokeswoman Karla Schuster said in a statement that the university "supports Mr. Singh's desire to serve his country, as well as his right to religious expression and practice. We are pleased that the courts have affirmed that he can do both as a member of the ROTC."

Gurjot Kaur, senior staff attorney for the Sikh Coalition, said the decision was "an important victory in the fight for religious freedom. We urge the Pentagon to eliminate the discriminatory loopholes in its policies and give all Americans an equal opportunity to serve in our nation's armed forces."

The American Civil Liberties Union and a group called United Sikhs jointly represented Singh in the case.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/sikh-student-queens-clear-join-army-rotc-article-1.2259423
Posted in these groups: World religions 2 ReligionThcapm08l9 ROTCDiversity Diversity
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CW2 Information Systems Technician
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but if i have a two o'clock shadow I'm wrong
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MSgt Erik Copp
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Just made us weaker.
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SSgt Alex Robinson
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He should have the opportunity just like all other American citizens.
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PO1 Shahida Marmol
PO1 Shahida Marmol
>1 y
And he does, but he didn't have to follow the rules like we do
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SFC Retired
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Every other American service person has to follow regulations in reference to facial hair and hair length.. so what makes this person any different?
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SSgt Alex Robinson
SSgt Alex Robinson
>1 y
SFC (Join to see) - I agree. But the courts have created these carve outs for special groups.
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Personally, I disagree with religious accommodation. But, if you are a soldier, you swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution and it's Common Law System. You also are professionals. So, I agree with the courts on the facts and circumstances after reading it. It is legally fair.

The Court found that the defendants failed to show application of Army Regulations (Iknoor Singh v. John McNugh, 2015, pg. 2)

The army did make it's case (morale , order ,etc.) (pg 15)

He asked to enroll in ROTC not "enlist" and "enlist" is ambiguous(Iknoor Singh v. John McNugh, 2015, pg. 20)

His beliefs are sincerely held by both the Army and the courts (pg .22)

Religious Freedom and Restoration Act applies to the Army (pg 23) .


Iknoor Singh v. John McNughet al, District Ct, Civ. Action. No 14-1906 (2015)
https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2014cv1906-46
MSgt Steve Hansen
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We are a pussified nation! What other country's military would allow this? Go back to your country and join their military.
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CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
>1 y
I stand corrected. I knew the Rabbi was granted an exception, but we were told it was because they were Reserves (serving on Active Duty). Thank you for the info.
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PO2 Kevin O'Connor
PO2 Kevin O'Connor
>1 y
CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner - Only part of MSG Hansen's statement was opinion. The part about this being a "pussified nation". I also graduated in 1978, not sure what that means. As for the My comments, aside from pointing out "facts" in relation to Sikhs serving in other countries militaries, my comments were my opinion. And if you defend MSG Hansen's opinions you will have to defend mine as well. Unless of course you believe only one point of view is acceptable.
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CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
>1 y
Nope, I do not only defend the MSG's opion, I will defend yours as well. I just find it strange that so many people are quick to label someone else as "closed minded" while never seeing their own.
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CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner
>1 y
Oh, the reference to graduating in 1978. Most "older" service members were not subjected to the "inclusiveness" and "white guilt" teaching that so many younger service members of today. In every Consideration of Others Class I taught, it was the older Soldiers who seemed the most resistant.
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SSgt Data Records
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E15bcd37
ARR, I be agreein' with religious freedom! Maybe someday soon they will let me wear my Holy Colander.
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SR (Other / Not listed)
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I know that, in AIT, there was an individual that walked around with either an ACU-patterned or olive drab turban on. My PLT Sergeants said that he was the only guy in the US Military to wear one. Honestly, I think that he was a foreign service member (as I was trained on Fort Huachuca; there were a lot of foreign officers being trained there) but this exception has been made before regardless.
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SSG Steven Gross
SSG Steven Gross
>1 y
Having been an instructor at Redstone Arsenal, Al. , We had 3 or 4 Sikhs in turbans and full beards. Very loyal to the US Military.... and good natured also. This was '92-93 and also '86....
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SSG Sean Gallagher
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It's bullshit.
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SGM Ncoic
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On any given deployment it seems like they extend the policy allowing anyone supporting any type of special ops to grow facial hair - culture shock if you arent used to it.
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LCpl Todd Houston
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Edited >1 y ago
Simply put, this judge is a F_ _ _nut!! My religion states I need to smoke weed and eat potato chips and ice cream all day, I should still be allowed in despite my unsat, nasty, fat self that is way out of shape. Not all soldiers can guard the tomb of the unknowns. Not all Marines can serve on embassy duty or perform in the silent drill team at 8th and I. Not all sailors can be seals. WHY? Because there are requirements, that's why. This judge should have to kneel in the corner with her law books over her head saying, " I won't be stupid anymore" She needs to do this until I get tired of watching her or I finish eating my ice cream, whichever comes first.
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