I am not going to ask for forgiveness when I say, "This is a crock and affront to good military discipline and moral". Feel free to quote me. We are not Star Trek or Star Wars. We are the United States of America with our own military customs and curteousies and traditions. This is not open for debate. When you allow one you must allow them all. The military is not a democracy, albeit in my opinion it has the best judicial system in the world. This is only the beginning. Yes, I know, there are those out there who will say, "But they have been doing this, and they have been doing that..." It should have never been allowed, particularly if one is going to wear the uniform of the services. ALL should wear the uniform as prescribe, and no more. I look forward to the feed back as I know this will certainly get attention.
Originally posted by KDSnyder: I am not going to ask for forgiveness when I say, “This is a crock and affront to good military discipline and moral”. Feel free to quote me. We are not Star Trek or Star Wars. We are the United States of America with our own military customs and curteousies and traditions. This is not open for debate. When you allow one you must allow them all. The military is not a democracy, albeit in my opinion it has the best judicial system in the world. This is only the beginning. Yes, I know, there are those out there who will say, “But they have been doing this, and they have been doing that...” It should have never been allowed, particularly if one is going to wear the uniform of the services. ALL should wear the uniform as prescribe, and no more. I look forward to the feed back as I know this will certainly get attention.
Actually, it got attention a week or so ago. You might want to do a find for it.
This page is the best volley of humor I've seen back and forth between you all, damn, I wish it was morning, it would keep going on, it's like a spelling bee on steriods.
Conform or kick him out,,and yes, I know about Siehks, a guy I know is one. They never cut their hair and they always wear that battle dressing on their head. Whatever, find a new job if you can't do what is expected of you at the one you have,,,, Pfft.
b. The coat is worn outside the trousers, and the trousers are worn with a belt. The coat will not extend below the top of the cargo pocket on the pants and will not be higher than the bottom of the side pocket on the pants. Commanders may authorize exceptions to this policy under conditions deemed appropriate in the interest of health, comfort, and efficiency because of climatic conditions, or to accommodate a soldier’s religious practices in accordance with AR 600–20, para 5–6.
Which reads:
(4) Accommodation of religious dress and appearance practices. (a) Subject to temporary revocation due to health, safety, or mission requirements, soldiers may wear- 1. Religious apparel, articles, and jewelry that are not visible or apparent. 2. Visible or apparent religious articles, symbols, and jewelry under the same circumstances as authorized for nonreligious reasons. Hair and other grooming practices are governed by AR 670-1. (b) Soldiers may wear an item of religious apparel while wearing the Army uniforms, except when wearing the item would interfere with the performance of the soldier's duties, or when the item is not neat and conservative. 1. "Religious apparel" is defined as articles of clothing worn as part of the observance of the religious faith practiced by the soldier. 2. Application of the term "neat and conservative" is not intended to limit the wear of religious apparel during worship services or other rites and rituals distinct to a faith or denominational group. However, commanders may for operational or safety reasons place reasonable limits on the wear of non-subdued items of religious apparel during worship services or other rites and rituals conducted in the field. 3. When a soldier is wearing an Army uniform outside of worship services or other rites and rituals, neat and conservative items of religious apparel are those that are discreet in style and design, and subdued in brightness or color; do not replace or interfere with the proper wearing of any pre-scribed article of the uniform; and are not temporarily or permanently affixed or appended to any prescribed article of the uniform. 4. The standards above serve as a basis for commanders to determine whether an item of religious apparel may continue to be worn while the soldier is in uniform. 5. Whether an item of religious apparel interferes with a soldier's military duties depends on the characteristics of the item, the circumstances of its intended wear, and the particular nature of the soldier's duties. Factors in determining whether an item of religious apparel interferes with military du-ties include, but are not limited to, whether the item may impair the safe and effective operation of weapons, military equipment, or machinery; pose a health or safety hazard to the wearer or others; interfere with the wearing or proper functioning of special or protective clothing or equipment (examples include but are not limited to helmets, protective clothing, flight suits, wet suits, protective masks, and crash and rescue equipment); or otherwise impair the accomplishment of the military mission. 6. A complete prohibition on the wearing of any visible item of religious apparel may be appropriate under unique circumstances in which the soldier's duties, the military mission, or the maintenance of discipline re-quire absolute uniformity. Examples of this include but are not limited to: the wear of historical or ceremonial uniforms, parades, honor or color guards (other than during designated off-duty hours) when absolute uniformity is necessary. 7. Unit commanders who deny a soldier the wearing of items of religious apparel while in uniform under the provisions of this paragraph will forward the denial and supporting documents through their chain of command to the Committee for review. Any commander in the chain of command may review and grant the wear of the religious apparel in question. The action to approve eliminates the need for review by the Committee. Denials forwarded for review must be received at HQDA not later than 25 days following initial denial in CONUS and 55 days following initial denial in OCONUS. Prompt processing and strict adherence to the above time limits are essential in order that HQDA may complete final review within the 30 and 60 day periods mandated by the DUD directive. 8. Soldiers who are denied the wearing of an item of religious apparel must comply with the prohibition pending the review of such orders by the chain of command and HQDA. (c) Soldiers may submit requests for other exceptions to uniform wear and appear-acne standards to accommodate religious practices. These requests will be made in accordance with DA Pam 600-75. (d) In addition, chaplains may wear religious attire as described in AR 670-1, CTA 50-909, and AR 165-20 in the performance of religious services. i. As an exception to policy, religious-based exceptions to policy previously given soldiers under the provisions of this regulation prior to i January 1986 continue in effect as long as the affected soldiers remain otherwise qualified for retention. However, soldiers previously granted authority to wear unshorn hair, unshorn beard, or permanent religious jewelry will not be as-signed permanent change of station or temporary duty out of CONUS due to health and safety considerations.
and if you knew ANYTHING about Siehks, you'd understand WHY he was allowed to keep the beard and Turban.
And if you knew anything about the American military you would understand WHY HE SHOULD BE MADE TO CONFORM TO STANDARDS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
Just out of interest, why should he? He looks smart enough as he is with the only difference being headress.
But again, he is a doctor we need em and GOT TO KEEP THOSE NUMBERS UP otherwise we might have to start (gasp!!!!) drafting health care workers. Do you honestly think it is better to conscript medics against their will than to have suffer volunteers who have just have a minor difference in dress?
