U.S. Army For First Time Allows Sikh To Serve While Wearing Turban

According to a press release Friday from the Sikh Coalition, for the first time in 23 years the U.S. Army has agreed to allow as Sikh physician, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, to wear his religiously-mandated turban and long hair while serving on active duty. The decision does not represent a change in Arny policy, but instead a waiver granted at this point only to Capt. Kalsi. According to Stars and Stripes, if Kalsi is transferred to another command or deploys, he will be required to apply for another waiver from the Army’s uniform policy. The Sikh Coalition has been pressing for a broader change in Army policy and the Army has indicated a willingness to review its policy that excludes Sikhs. (See prior posting.)