1ºThe main reason for the no beard policy is because everyone is issued and has to be proficient in the use of gas masks. Beards mean a poor seal. Also applies to the navy and air force because masks are used in flight and damage control/fire fighting.
Short hair and clean shaven has also historically cut down on lice which has been a real issue in many wars.
So there is a practical reason for the regs. That said, I would have had no problem serving with Sikhs when I was in. It's not like they don't already make accommodations for religion. Heck, there's a chaplain corps and houses of worship on every post I've been on. Religious preference is stamped right on your dog tags. Even special field rations for religions with dietary restrictions.
If you want to serve, can physically/mentally do it, and do it honorably, you get my respect regardless of what hat you wear.
2ºMichelle Trenolone-Fordemwalt Baloney.
First off, the SCOTUS decision this year was faborable to exactly this, regardless of the fact that the decision was based on the fabricated premise that this was the coach's post game personal me-time. This was a public display of faith by a public school employee in the course of his normal duties, immediately following a win in front of families, fans, and the opposing team, and heavy on the pressure for student players to join in on the 50 yard line. This clearly had the strong appearance of government endorsement and proponency of a particular religion.
Second, and more importantly, children in a public school being subjected to the religious whims of an employee entrusted with them is a far cry from volunteer military recruits asking to have their own personal, individual religious expression recognized and protected, with the bare minimum of concessions from DoD policy.
A buck private in a dastar doesnt have the appearance of or opportunity for improper religious coersion with actual weight behind it that a high school football coach in front of his players does.
https://apnews.com/articl...88c367270c941aa
3ºReally ??? Then so too should hippies and native americans be allowed to keep their long hair and beards
When does it become right .....to alter the basic processes in place for induction and training
you will no longer be required to get shots or vaccinations no longer required to cut your hair or beards
no longer have to follow orders ....basic training becomes a multiple choice preference exam
you no longer have the Marines Corps
I love and understand the tenets of the Sikh religion or wisdom faith tradition
but this is wrong ....and only shows the extent of corruption and bribery in our court system now
If you are a Sikh and do not want to be a US Marine
then do not enlist
India has sided with Russia and China in a war on the Free World
and you want special privileges and rights now for their citizens in our military
I am sorry but you will need to sell crazy somewhere else ....cause we are all full up over here
Just because one wears a Turban and a Beard .....does not put one above the rules of the USMC training and inspection criteria
Next will come a mandate for extended head room in all flights and vehicles
You who practice the Sikh wisdom faith tradition will be so happy
at the destruction of our US Marines
How happy they are in Delhi and in Pakistan where they offered $50,000 for the death of American Servicemen in Afghanistan
next will be the mandate that we all have to wear turbans and beards and practice the Sikh wisdom faith tradition
something is very very wrong here
4ºJorge Frederick
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