The new rules apply to all religious accommodation requests.
The US Army has issued new guidelines for religious accommodation and dress under which brigade level commanders will be able to grant accommodations to servicemen and women who wear beards, turbans, or hijabs for religious reason.
According to the memo from Army Secretary Eric Fanning, the decision to allow brigade-level commanders to grant exemption was made “based on the successful examples of Soldiers currently serving with these accommodations.”
“The accommodation will continue throughout the Soldier’s career and may not be permanently revoked or modified unless authorized by me or my designee,” the memo dated Tuesday and released Wednesday says.
The new rules apply to all religious accommodation requests, with the memo highlighting the most common requests are for hijabs, beards, turbans, under-turbans/patkas and uncut hair.
“This is a major progress, not just for the Sikh-American community but for our nation’s military. Sikh-Americans love this country and want a fair chance to serve in our country on equal footing. Today’s announcement will help do just that,” Congressman Joe Crowley told to PTI welcoming the directive.
“We are a stronger nation, with a stronger military because of our respect for religious and personal freedom,” he said.
Sikh Americans and US lawmakers, who have been on the forefront of a national campaign in this regard, also welcomed the new regulation.
“While we still seek a permanent policy change that enables all religious minorities to freely serve without exception, we are pleased with the progress that this new policy represents for religious tolerance and diversity by our nation’s largest employer,” PTI quoted Sikh-American Coalition’s legal director Harsimran Kaur.
The new provisions updates rules governing religious liberty that significantly improve the standards for Sikhs and other religious minorities who seek to serve their country with their religious articles of faith intact, she said.
Last year, four Sikh American soldiers, including the decorated Captain Simratpal Singh, filed a lawsuit against the US Army in this regard.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) last week said that it will allow Sikh officers to wear turbans and maintain beards in a move aimed at inclusiveness.