Us Army Beard Sikh: Beard in Army Sikh Group News – Sikh concern over the beard of US army, opposition to Sikh Coalition

The Sikh Coalition protested against this decision of Pete Hegseth. The new order says that ‘facial hair discount will not usually be valid’ and all units will have to plan in 60 days and have to be fully implemented in 90 days. Only Special Operations Forces can be given temporary discounts, it will also be mandatory to have a clean-shave before the mission. Not only this, thick generals in the army have also been warned to reduce their weight.

What did Sikh group say?

This decision has created a stir among Sikhs, Orthodox Jews and Muslim soldiers. Many soldiers who had been exempted till now and kept holding a beard and turban, are afraid that now they have to choose one of their religion and career. A Sikh soldier wrote on social media, ‘My hair is my identity.’ According to the report of the Indian Express, Sikh Coalition said in a statement, ‘We are very angry and worrying. This decision will marginally to marginalize religious soldiers serving in the army.

History of Sikhs in US Army

The history of Sikhs in the US Army is long. He was also in the US Army in the First World War. Bhagat Singh Thind was the first well-known Sikh to be admitted to the US Army in 1917, who was allowed to wear a turban. Although this was an exception. In the 1980s, strict rules stopped the beard and turban. The situation changed in 2010. Two Sikh officials Captain Simranpreet Singh Lamba and Dr. Major Kamaljit Singh Kalsi were given religious discounts. This became an example and in 2017 beard, turban and other religious symbols were allowed. The US Defense Minister says that the beard causes obstruction of the correct use of the gas mask and it is necessary to maintain uniformity in the unit.