Sikh Warriors Denied Entry Into US Army
The recruiters come knocking at the door with promises of signing bonuses and advocating, "Join the Army see the World," and receive a GI loan for college and buying a home. Hopes on both sides turn to disappointment for all US armed forces reject the Sikh identity of uncut hair and beard.
Sikhs have a long military history. Many Sikhs from the Panjab have blood lines tracing back to the warriors who resisted Alexander the Great ultimately putting an end to his conquest. Guru Hargobind, the 6th spiritual master of Sikhism mustered the first Sikh army after his father Guru Arjan Dev became the first Sikh martyr. In April of 1699 (Nankshahi Calendar), known in present times as Vaisakhi Day, Guru Gobind Singh formalized the Sikh religion and established the order of Khalsa, creating the concept of the Sant- Saphai, meaning saint- soldier, putting into action a spiritual warrior who physically defends the oppressed while practicing self mastery. Sikhs have maintained their spiritual identity of uncut hair through the centuries, fearlessly serving in the military units of many armed forces around the world.
In 1958, on July 26th, Harry Truman, the US President, promised equality of opportunity for everyone serving in the US armed forces. The promise has not been kept in the past several decades. The Sikh Coalition is taking up the cause and launching a campaign on Vaisakhi Day, April 14th, 2009, to end the ban on Sikhs joining the US military.
Please show your support for equal opportunity in US Armed Forces and sign a petition on behalf of two US Army recruits, Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi and Second Lieutenant Tejdeep Singh Rattan, who are being forced to choose between their religious identity and service to their country. Both have maintained their Sikh identity while enrolled in an Army program which exchanges medical scholarships for military service and are discovering, only after four years, that they have been given unreliable information. Assurances made by recruiters that keeping their hair intact would be no problem are turning out to be false. Update : US Army Responds to Sikh Coalition Regarding Military Grooming
Comments
Well, here’s an issue I had never thought about before. Personally, I think anyone willing to join the military voluntarily should be allowed to serve, short of a serious medical or mental deficiency. I don’t know how hair could keep someone from being a good soldier. This policy should be re-examined, for sure.
Where is it written that your intelligence is in the length of your hair. If that’s the case, short-haired military cuts would denote stupidity, then, wouldn’t they?
It irks me when Sikhs come to usa or canada and then go about changing our laws and customs to accomodate theirs. it pisses me off in fact! when a Sikh takes on american or canadian immigrant status – then BE american, and adjust to OUR ways.. stop changing our countries to make it more yours.. go home if you still want YOURS!!
Hi Barbara, I don’t believe length of hair has anything to do with intelligence or capability. It is more about conditioning and what society is accustomed to.
Poster “I agree” I understand how you feel, however if you think about it you will realize that no one is trying to change laws, only uphold them. This country is founded on civil liberties, equality opportunities, and religious freedoms, take those away and we cease to be America. There is a gender discrimination factor going on too. Women in the service are allowed to keep their hair. Sikhs have served in the military in other nations around the world. America is supposed to be leading in civil liberties but has fallen behind. Being of Native American ancestry, I can truthfully say, unfortunately it’s a little late to begin sending people home. The best we can do is go about breaking down lingering discriminatory practices and continue pursuing civil liberties and freedom. Four generations of my family including women have served and continue to serve in the United States Armed forces. My sons who are blood descendants of people who occupied this land for eons before white democracy arrived, were denied entry into the service due to their religious belief. They didn’t come from anywhere but here.
I can understand how long hair or a beard might be a disadvantage in hand-to-hand combat, giving your opponent something to grip. However, our soldiers don’t fight that way anymore.
Historically, many US soldiers and officers had a lot of hair. Look at George Armstrong Custer! OK, maybe he’s a bad example… but General Ulysses S. Grant had a full beard.
It’s so interesting as a pacifist to sign a petition like this. But I have no question that it is the right thing to do.
The USA was built on the right to observe one’s religion. I agree with Kerry. Although I abhor war, there is a time to fight. And, the choice to serve must be just that.
These are citizens of a country based on personal freedom and responsibility. It is inexcusable to deny the choice to take the responsibility of military service while still observing one’s faith.
I signed the petition. Sikhs should be allowed to keep their hair and to serve. Some rules are outdated and no longer reflect the circumstances that exist in our world today.
Why is America biased ?
Do they recruit only Christians ?
If so then the world needs to find new world leaders for universal peace and harmony….
(Sikhs follow the 10 Commandments and more)
Sikh’s are known as “The God’s Army”
Cheers
If all else fails, appeal to their self-interest… Anyone who knows ANYTHING about the Sikhs know that we make extraordinary soldiers. Why should the US military weaken itself by denying us admission?
Also check out my latest blogpost – really Fateh Singh wrote most of it! – and take a look at the pictures. http://roadtokhalistan.blogspot.com/2009/04/celebrate-vaisakhi-by-supporting-sikh.html Traditionally, the US military cared less about hairstyle and facial hair and more about courage and loyalty.
Sikh is a culture and religion. They have contributed very highly to World War 1 and II. Dureing WWII over 1 million Sikhs fought in British Army and allies. At that time Sikh population was only 10%. This community contributed highest per capita. At that time their hair never interfeared in combat. Curretnly in Afghanistan US Army special forces grow long beard. It not issue of hair, it is issue of intollerance. Sikh has great history of being great warriors.
“US armed forces reject the Sikh identity of uncut hair and beard.”
conformity is what bonds soldiers together. there is no room for individuals in the US military.
you will never be able to end the ban of sikhs in the US military because they are viewed that they believe they serve a cause greater than the US military.
Sikhs in the US military are a liability to this countries security.
there should be no room for foreigners in America’s military. foreigners do not have America’s best interests at heart and shouldn’t be allowed access to sensitive materials or jobs vital to our national security.
Hi John,
It is interesting to read your perspective as it gives insight into what sort of problems and predjudice Sikhs face in this country. I’m curious about citizenship requirements of entering the US military. I would think but don’t know for certain that one would have to be a citizen to serve. Do you suggest that the US military is for Christian soldiers only? Faith based discrimination is un-American and goes against our constitution. I can’t see how anyones belief system is pertinent at all. Though it’s true that some Sikhs are immigrants, many are American citizens and some like my family are of Native American descent, therefore cannot be considered to be foreigners by any stretch of the imagination. My family, both men and women, has a history of serving in the US military as far back as I am able to trace my lineage. Sikhism is a faith, just as is Christianity or Buddhism. We happen to believe in keeping our hair as it is a natural part of our body.
Historically Sikhs have served in the military of countries around the world to the advantage of those countries military might. I can’t see how it would be a disadvantage for the US military with Sikh’s proven record. The higher cause which you speak of requires a Sikh to fulfill their altruistic duty to their country of residence and its people. National security and protecting the freedom of the America people is important to Sikh Americans as it is to all citizens.
I have no problem with Sikh’s(I hope that is the right term?) wanting to observe there religious tents, but the US Military is not the melting pot of america its job is to defend and kill the enemies of america. The military works by makeing everyone part of the team not individuals. Anything that goes against that hurts the team(thus the ban on females in combat units). As for what I have read so far at least one of the young men in question is going to be a doctor and thus not as far as I am concerned this should not be a issue, but if the military decides to draw the line then I am fine with it and wish them the best of luck in life. I will make respond to some of the posts on here though. One our military does in fact get into hand to hand situations to think otherwise shows that your do not understand the nature of our current war. Having said that the Israel army has relaxed grooming standers when in the field (i.e beards and longer hair) also delta force and seal team six also have relaxed grooming standers so that they may easly stay undercover( but the regular army does have trouble with these special soldiers and the grooming). The army does in fact have people that are not american citizens in it(although I know that a sikh can be of alot of natinalites). Finally the last post if you can show me where a hesidic jew has been allowed to join the military with modified grooming standerds, or a “normal jew” has been allowed to wear there religious head gear while in uniform then I would be more on your side. I do have one question for you I read somewhere that none babtised sikh’s are not required to wear a turbin if this information is true is the tenent on hair also a flexable one or not? Thank you for your time
i personally don’t see why u have to cut hair when joining the army…a sikh can shoot a gun punch and do anything else a soldier does…does it seriously matter if a man has an unshourned beard and hair? it is a complete lie that there is equality in this situation….im 12 years old and i dont see any problems with keeping my hair..in school everyone seems to respect me soo i dont get it why u cant keep ur hair while defending the country you belong to.
this is the land of the free
RE: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-army-accepts-first-Sikh-recruit
Congrats! It’s not fixed yet, but progress has been made. Keep pushing, my friend, and good luck with your quest.
From a retired warrior.