Milaap Singh Chahal was one of the men who was denied basic training because of his beard.
Union of Sikhs
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Union of Sikhs
Milaap Singh Chahal was one of the men who was denied basic training because of his beard.
Union of Sikhs
A federal court has ruled that the Marines cannot deny entry to Sikhs because of their beards and unshaven hair.
The Marines told the three Sikh men they could only serve if they shaved their beards before undergoing basic training. Most Sikh men do not cut their hair as a sign of their religious commitment. But serving in the military satisfied another aspect of their faith.
Attorney Eric Baxter, who is representing the men, told NPR: “They believe, as part of their religious obligation, to protect the rights of others. “[Sikhs] served a long time in militaries around the world, including in the United States, with all their creeds.”
The District of Columbia federal appeals court ruled that all three were entitled to serve sentences. The Sikh Alliance is campaigning to allow Sikhs to practice their religious customs while serving in the US military. More than 100 members of Congress and 27 retired generals support the group’s cause.
“Current policies of the Pentagon are based on stereotypes of what Americans should look like,” the group wrote on its website. website. “Instead of perpetuating stereotypes, policymakers should focus on whether enlisted candidates can competently perform their job functions and foster teamwork and camaraderie.” necessary or not.”
Baxter said three of his Sikh clients have waited more than two years to undergo formal training, while watching their employed friends advance without them.
“It’s disheartening for two years to see that everyone else is making progress and you’re told, ‘No, you’re not good enough to serve in our country,'” he said.
The Marines claim their hair rules are a matter of national security, because the beard would affect the “unity of the military”.
The Marines allow women to grow their beards according to medical requirements and have a variety of hairstyles, while relaxing regulations on tattoos.
In 2021, NPR report that the Marines planned to address the issues of lack of diversity and retention. According to the article, about 75% of Marines leave at the end of their four-year term, the highest turnover rate among the services.
The ruling means the three men are allowed to continue training, while the Marines consider the possibility of an appeal.
“They really should realize that it’s time to make this change and let all Americans serve without having to give up their religion — their core religious beliefs,” Baxter said.
