Sikh Army Captain wins right to wear beard and turban

[Kheenbish]

I think that as the pool of qualified candidates for the military shrinks, accommodations should be made for those who are qualified but need to be able to do things for religious reasons. Sikhs are a great example of that.

I respect and can understand that decision if the individuals religious items won't effect gear or other essential items one would wear.

Now why can't we do the same with tattoos...

 

[Gunz]

I think Sikhs are badass. Gurkhas too. Strong military tradition among both. If they do their job and are there when you need them, who cares what they're wearing as long as it doesn't compromise the mission.

 

[Diamondback 2/2]

One part of me says why is this even news worthy, who gives a shit. The other side says, if you wanna serve in the US Army conform to the regulations and policies like everyone else. Ain't nobody special...

 

[Il Duce]

Ain't nobody special...

So, special operations forces should not have relaxed grooming standards either? Not trolling you, I actually think this is a decent argument. Relaxed grooming standards for MI have to meet specific criteria for employment and be approved by a CDR. My impression is most SF relaxed grooming standards are for status, and because nobody is going to say anything - they're special.

 

[Diamondback 2/2]

So, special operations forces should not have relaxed grooming standards either? Not trolling you, I actually think this is a decent argument. Relaxed grooming standards for MI have to meet specific criteria for employment and be approved by a CDR. My impression is most SF relaxed grooming standards are for status, and because nobody is going to say anything - they're special.

There is a difference between a relaxed grooming standard for soldiers that have a special mission. That doesn't make them special and doesn't mean everyone should have a relaxed grooming standard. SF is notorious for out of regs all kind of stuff. That's on them, if their CDR has allowed it and its all on the up and up, I don't care. They show up to a school or conventional unit, they will be getting hair cuts like everyone else.

On a personal note, I think the grooming standards are bullshit. But that's the standard. I can't tell you the amount of times I came back to the FOB with a week old beard, smelling like shit, uniform filthy, hungry and just wanting to catch chow in time, usually cutting down to the minutes, because I had to go shit, shower and shave and look like everyone else before I could step foot in the chow hall. Almost always pissed off because garrison Army belongs in the garrison and only pisses people off when they should be stressing on other things, like getting chow, sleep and refit.

$.02

 

[TLDR20]

So, special operations forces should not have relaxed grooming standards either? Not trolling you, I actually think this is a decent argument. Relaxed grooming standards for MI have to meet specific criteria for employment and be approved by a CDR. My impression is most SF relaxed grooming standards are for status, and because nobody is going to say anything - they're special.

Our relaxed grooming standards have to be approved by a commander. There is a reason guys in Iraq didn't have beards while guys in 'Stan do.

I was on relaxed grooming standards CONUS, but our uniform was also civilians.

 

[Frank S.]

Only issue I have is that I don't watch "Game of Thrones", and if I did, The Dothraki'd get on my tits.

 

[Etype]

I can't tell you the amount of times I came back to the FOB with a week old beard, smelling like shit, uniform filthy, hungry and just wanting to catch chow in time, usually cutting down to the minutes, because I had to go shit, shower and shave and look like everyone else before I could step foot in the chow hall.
$.02

I remember this from my days in the 82nd, no worse end to your day than to be denied the chow hall.

 

[Gunz]

Wait...You guys had chow? In a building? With a roof?

 

[Diamondback 2/2]

Wait...You guys had chow? In a building? With a roof?

The FOBITS did, we got it on refit days. With some E7/8 acting as gate keeper for the grooming standards.