US army accepts first Sikh recruit.... turban, beard and all!

[david86440]

WASHINGTON - In a major step to end the exclusion of Sikhs, the US Army has accepted a Sikh recruit, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi,  who had declined to either remove his ‘dastaar’ (turban) or cut his hair as a condition for joining the military.

A number of prominent members of Congress have called on the Army to welcome all Sikhs, and not just Captain Kalsi, into the military.

In August, 43 members of the House of Representatives and 6 US senators called on Defence Secretary Robert Gates to allow all Sikhs to serve in the US Army.


http://blog.taragana.com/n/us-army-accepts-first-sikh-recruit-205483/

[Timothy]

Good, let 'em serve!

Gonna suck going through boot with a full beard though!  Sikh are generally from India with their religian based in Hindi or Hindu!

[tombogan03884]

They have a history as a tough bunch of warriors who formed the core of the British Indian Army. I understand that each Sikh winds a tiny dagger into his turban because it violates their religion for a Man to be unarmed.

[twyacht]

Wonder if he'll take that turban off for a combat helmet if there's incoming..

Good.. Seems like a fast track to Capt. but, if he can pass muster, than In A Gadda Da Vida Baby!!

[1911 Junkie]

If I understand correctly, the guy is a doctor. I think Capt. is the lowest rank he can enter with.

[Sponsor]

[david86440]

Here's the skinny on the knife.....

Sikh men wear a traditional knife, called a kirpan, as a symbol of baptism. The knife can be used only for self-defense or in defense of those who cannot defend themselves.

        • Because Sikhs aspire to live natural lives, men do not cut their hair or shave their beards.

        • Sikh men must wear turbans.

[1911 Junkie]

We've had a couple residents at the hospital who wore turbans. Don't know what they were, though.

Now, I guess, I'll have to look for the knife.

[Dharmaeye]

Sikhs make up the majority of the Indian armed forces and police forces relative to their population. Known as a group to be rather obstinante. There relatively new religion was an attempt to merge existing religions in India. Generally they are the most like americans of any of the groups in Indian in there attitudes - they populate the most progression region of India. They make up a large recent immigration group in Canada. In WW II were very active in the British armed forces.
PS the turban (very long cloth) has been used as an escape rope among other things in emergencies. Sort of like Indian boy scouts - be prepared.

[tombogan03884]

Sikhs make up the majority of the Indian armed forces and police forces relative to their population. Known as a group to be rather obstinante. There relatively new religion was an attempt to merge existing religions in India. Generally they are the most like americans of any of the groups in Indian in there attitudes - they populate the most progression region of India. They make up a large recent immigration group in Canada. In WW II were very active in the British armed forces.
PS the turban (very long cloth) has been used as an escape rope among other things in emergencies. Sort of like Indian boy scouts - be prepared.

Sounds like a culture we should be actively inviting to immigrate.

[twyacht]

Looks like an asset, doctor or not, to an American Fighting Force.

21st Century Sikh Soldiers, tough bunch.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwEHrIOwkKE

Best to keep them on OUR side.