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2009-11-01 Home Front: Culture Wars

US Army OKs Sikh Doc to Wear Beard, Turban

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Posted by Besoeker 2009-11-01 17:11|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Approval for this action would have had to have come from the very top. "Not this Shi* again" graphic if you would mods.

Posted by Besoeker 2009-11-01 17:36|| 2009-11-01 17:36|| Front Page Top

Posted by Fluns Darling of the Munchkins6049 2009-11-01 18:33|| 2009-11-01 18:33|| Front Page Top

#3 The Army used to allow Sikhs to serve wearing turbans, etc. As I've mentioned here before, I remember seeing a Sikh in a U.S. Army uniform in Frankfurt am Main (West Germany) in the early 1970's. Sikhs are warriors; they somehow manage to serve in combat in the Indian Army, and used to (if they don't still) in the British Army. He's a doctor, not a front-line grunt.

BTW, after the other time I mentioned seeing the really cool Sikh soldier in Germany in the 1970's, the guy contacted me by e-mail. (He lurks here, or at least used to.)

Is the internet cool or what? :-D

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2009-11-01 18:38|| 2009-11-01 18:38|| Front Page Top

#4 Was his name Col. Gopal Khalsa, Barbara? He's retiring this month after 30 years and has always worn his beard and turban.

My only objection is the precedent it sets. Plus, where does their loyalty really lie? Is it to their sworn duties as military officers of the United States or to their religion (the one that forbids them to cut their hair or shave)?

In the case of Rattan, he's already said he's not willing to sacrifice his religious beliefs.

Posted by Woozle Uneter9007 2009-11-01 19:27|| 2009-11-01 19:27|| Front Page Top

#5 No, Woozle. This was an enlisted soldier.

The precedent has already been set, many years ago, and the Army didn't fall apart because of it. It doesn't hurt the Army in any way for Sikhs to wear their turbans, beards and unshorn hair. (And they look really cool in uniform.) I don't see where there's a loyalty problem - Sikhs are honorable men and will stand by their sworn duties as military officers.

In fact, I'd take any 10 Sikh men off the street over one Weasel Clark.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2009-11-01 20:46|| 2009-11-01 20:46|| Front Page Top

#6 We do indeed have some fascinating lurkers here, Barbara. They so enrich our conversation when they start posting, too. :-)

Posted by trailing wife">trailing wife 2009-11-01 22:43|| 2009-11-01 22:43|| Front Page Top

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