US army gets 1st Sikh enlisted soldier in years

[Sir john]

Simran Preet Singh Lamba today became the first enlisted Sikh soldier in the US army in more than two decades to complete basic training after getting a rare religious exemption for his turban and beard because the military wants his language skills. Recruited by the army in 2009 through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest programme for his language skills in Punjabi and Hindi, Lamba completed basic training with his turban and unshorn hair at Fort Jackson outside Columbia and became a US citizen. "I am thrilled to serve with my fellow soldiers and serve the US," 26-year-old Lamba said. Present US Army policy still excludes Sikhs who maintain their turban and beard. Sikhs in the US military may maintain their religiously-mandated turban and unshorn hair only if they receive an individual exemption to do so. Lamba was initially told that his Sikh articles of faith would likely be accommodated. But, in March 2010, his formal request for a religious accommodation was denied. Lamba appealed the decision, and his appeal was accepted in September 2010. Contrary to the concerns of some, Lamba was able to meet all the requirements of a soldier during basic training. In 1981, the army banned "conspicuous" religious articles of faith, including turbans and unshorn hair, for its service members. The ban was enacted despite a long history of Sikhs serving in the US military with their religious identity intact