Washington The US Air Force granted a religious accommodation to a Sikh airman to allow him to wear a turban, beard and unshorn hair while serving, making him the first active duty airman to receive such an accommodation, a group that assisted with the accommodation told CNN Friday.
Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa, a crew chief at the McChord Air Force Base near Lakewood, Washington, was granted the accommodation in March after he made a request for it in coordination with the American Civil Liberties Union and the Sikh American Veterans Alliance, Lt. Col. Kamal Kalsi, the president of SAVA, told CNN.
You guys are behind the rest of the world in so many ways.
I don't agree. either accept the dress code or don't go to US Air Force academy
I disagree. Military must maintain its readiness and unit cohesion. A religious accommodation shouldn't supersede military standards. Let's be honest, Canada has comprised its standards by pandering to ethnic voters. If you ask me, Canada has serious identity self-esteem issues.
This is wrong. That’s not the reason you cut your hair or shave or wear the uniform. It’s all part of bonding and setting to tone for a team. We all look and do and wear and talk the same. We are the same. We fight the same and we fight for each other. This is a terrible trend.
He was Sikh before he joined. He knew the rules. There's no right to join the military.
As they should. Sikhs aren’t Muslim moonbats.
What next! Female officers with Burka.
This country has gone soft, allowing religious reasons into the military is as bad as in public schools, when does the madness end?
Cultural Marxism
Awesome 😎👏👏👏
I had Army troops wearing their turban and beard 30 years ago. This has been allowed and is not a new practice.
I think everyone in the Service should wear the uniform of the day, no exceptions. If you need to conform to your religion don't join the Service.
India Army, huh?
Not good.
You want to start something dangerous its up to you...
Selfless Service? If it is about you then do something else.
If they want to wear a military issued turban instead of a military issued helmet let them. I would have more faith in the helmet than a piece of cloth but that's just me.
Probably not the best career choice
I’m OK with this in general, but there are military jobs that can’t accommodate his religious requirements and those lines need to be drawn. The goal should be to maintain a strong effective military while accepting as much diversity as makes sense.
So can a new recruit wear a Darth Vader mask too?
❤️
Yet members who have problems shaving for skin problems still have to shave. Why not let anybody grow a beard?
If they can accommodate felons in prison, why not our sevice men
He looks squared away to me.
Really but gay and lesbian are not
My question is who is granting these accommodations? If Democrats get mad at Trump for going against the norm or way things have always been - then they are hypocrites when it comes to other issues like this. It seems like there is one accepted way for some, but not for others.
After reading this, I advised my grandson NOT to enlist in the Air Force!
The liberals are having their way now, he should have to abide like everyone else...This is totally wrong....kidkohls72
Let some not some think of being indiscipline on taking thst decision. Accommodating that for him and to all soldiers to me is not a problems. What matter is the person carrying out his or her duty and serve to defend his nation.
AMERICA! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Why have rules. Why have a standard. If I move to your country I will respect their culture. Why won’t these people do the same.
AND, we are called predjudice.
Umm that would be a big NO
Trump is not going to be happy about this. He's gonna weigh in on the matter. LOCKTRUMPUP 25thammendment hangtrump4treason lacosatrump ImpeachDonaldTrumpNOW
Disgusting. May they survive less than an hour!
Bravo! 👏
This will make the Muslim world very nervous.
Why do we have rules?
The Army had Sikh troops in Vietnam. Beards and turbans.
Goldman v. Weinberger (1986): S. Simcha Goldman, an Orthodox Jew and rabbi, Goldman's faith required him to wear a yarmulke to show that he is aware that God is a higher power and above him. A Jewish Air Force officer was denied the right to wear a yarmulke when in uniform.
Stupid accomodation. How will a helmet fit?
Fair, but not my cup of tea.
Blacks were allowed to be unshaven when I was in the army in the early 70s
Assimilation into the US rule of law is an honor and honoring the American way of life
Is Trump really aware of this Wait until he knews
So sikh bruh turban on fleek my guy
Disgraceful
I LIVE FOR MY WORDS
This is appropriate and I commend them for their understanding and acceptance
He knows the rules..... why join?
This is news to CNN....Chrissy Cuomo is weeping.
I think it's good and that accommodation should be made. It would help to show our tolerance of Muslim religious beliefs which terrorists often say we are not to justify murder. Just let me wear my cross.
This defeats the purpose of having uniforms to begin with.
Example of the disease affecting not only the US military but the USA as a whole: accommodation opposing assimilation. 350 mil people can't be effectively governed based on the 'beliefs' and wishes of a few or one; accommodation is a fatal disease, and will be the ruin of the US
Bravo
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Classic Inmates Running the Asylum - US Government at work 🤮
Big mistake
Smh.....the rules should be changed for no one. He could wear his head thing when he's off duty.
yeah and the us navy wore cracker jacks and a beard whats your point cnn are you a racist now?
Wrong Wrong and wrong!
Under the Trump administration. You can mention that any time now. We’re waiting. bigtent noterroriststhough
This is an outrage and disrespectful to the uniform.
And the Trump administration reverses the decision in 3, 2,...
Not good
I THINK WAS TO SHOW Trump MEANT TO BE president & DOES A GREAT job I LOVE him he WAS LOOKING GOOD NEXT TO Windsor JUST SAYING I WANT them IN MY AFTERLIFE TOO
I feel like if someone joins with the knowledge that they’ll have to wear a uniform that could interfere with their religious beliefs, they have no room to complain about if it isn’t accommodated. That said, the military should do their best to make accommodations when possible.
How about that air mask does it fit over all that hair!
Booooooo👎
I WAS IN A TRANCES TO TALK TO Trump & Saks BECAUSE I LIVED FOR Steve's Words
Does his turban fit under a helmet! Or is he going to wrap his helmet?
He's gonna have to get used to other active duty stopping him if they don't know about religious accommodations.
I IN THOSE DAYS LOVED Steve
As long as the religious tradition isn’t based on the historic oppression of a gender, I’m good with it.... I congratulate the Air Force for accommodating this young soldier.
The reason to be clean shaven is so your GAS MASK will have a GOOD SEAL! You know in case of Chemical biological warfare! 🧐🤔👌😎🇺🇸☝️ Which has absolutely nothing to do with your religion!👌😂🤣😂🤣🤔🦅😎🇺🇸☝️
I LOVE I 1.
Huh? This makes no sense we had lots of Shik at my Navy A school in the 80's that wore Turbans and beards. I don't get it were they all violating dress code?
I LOVE SICILIANS I ALREADY HAD MY TEAM & IN THOSE DAYS THOUGHT WOW I HAVE TO FIND someone FOR Gwyn THAT IS UP TO PAR & THOUGHT Macchio THEN WAS JEALOUS OF Gwyn SO I LOVE SICILIANS
GOOD!!! Thank you, usairforce. Harpreetinder Singh Bajwa is serving to protect the country.... ... Unlike some....👇
This happened in the army a long time ago. There are regulations that already allow this. So all the group did was make sure that regulations in place were enforced. I’m grateful they did it, but this has been done and is protected.
He is OUT OF UNIFORM PERIOD!
Can he serve this country with honor, distinction, courage and valor? good enough for me.
Nice development. Such accommodation shouldn't impede or distract his submission to duty.
For all you military rules experts out there, here’s some truth for you: all military members are allowed to request religious accommodations: jews can request kosher meals, Christians can request duty shifts for prayer, etc. It’s a case by case basis. 100% within the rules.
I served 24 Years as a USAF Law Enforcement Officer, Combat Arms Instructor & Ground Combat who Saw Combat & received Valor. I find this appalling at best. This is BS. We all shave our heads at Basic Training. This is special treatment & a No Go! POTUS 🇺🇸Patriot DAV
Raj force..
now does religious garb increase or decrease your chances of being decapitated while flying an f35?
That looks Sikh :)
Americans don’t have one religion. Anyone should be able to proudly serve their country while still upholding their religious values
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