The Department of Defense has issued new guidelines for military attire that some religious groups say is too restrictive and is not accommodating enough to religious clothing.
The Pentagon announced this week it will require the military to accommodate the "individual expressions of sincerely held beliefs" of service members as long as that does not interfere with carrying out a military mission.
The American Sikh community has been outspoken that the regulations do not go far enough and exclude the turbans and beards that are required of their religion. They argue that the ban on turbans effectively bars Sikhs from joining the military.
In the past decade, a small number of Sikh soldiers have been granted exemptions to wear their beards and turbans and several have gone on to achieve high ranks in the military and earn medals for their service.
Should the Pentagon be more accommodating to religious attire in the military? What are the safety concerns about wearing turbans while in uniform? Is the military too restrictive or are strict uniform requirements good policy for the military?
Guests:
Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, military doctor who served overseas in Afghanistan and earned a Bronze Star Medal. He’s an American Sikh.
Jeffrey Addicott, Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Terrorism Law at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas