Doesn't look as bad as I thought it would but I still don't approve.
When you start making exceptions for one, you're on the road to making exceptions for all. What happens when someone decides that his membership in the Satanic Church should be as protected as everyone else therefore making his religious symbol (lets say its a witches hat) something that should be allowed under freedom of religion?
How do you say no?
How do you keep a uniformed service from becoming a motley crew of individual accoutrements and style decisions?
The US military has been a melting pot because it demanded that everyone who joined meet one undeniable, unaltering standard. If you couldn't meet or chose not to meet that standard then you were either denied entry or dismissed for cause.
That meant that you had to set aside your own cultural beliefs/standards and adopt the military's way of doing things.
So many are worshipping at the altar of "being open minded" and "change" that they fail to see the danger/friction/chaos that they're inviting.
UPDATE: Putting this out there before I'm hit with it. I'm extremely impressed by the Sikh Warrior tradition. So stow the "you're a racist" comments.
UPDATE 1: I can't wait to see how the military deals with the next oppressed minority...transgendered people.
"Being open minded"... let me quote some good sentence, An open mind is like a fortress with its gates unbarred and unguarded. Just wait for some believer of Pastafarianism who want to wear a spaghetti on his head, that should be interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.duffelblog.com/2014/01/marines-religious-freedom/
ReplyDeleteFrom the duffleblog, great article.
Most probably in action he will receive friendly fire.
ReplyDeleteonly from the dazed and confused...the Sikh community has had to deal with confusion between themselves and radical Muslims.
DeleteI think it looks smart, I do wonder how it will appear with general's stars if they come in the future - but I see the worries about difference - the British forces seemed to have adapted quite well http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1203463/First-Sikh-soldiers-parade-guard-Queen-traditional-forage-cap.html
ReplyDeleteyours sincerely
Alexander
Yes but the Royal militarily have had Sikhs for what 200 years? Entire Companies of them, and mad men know as "Gurkha". I have read about those guys, they have done some amazing things in crown service.
DeleteBetter than that black beret that most people should not be wearing.
ReplyDeleteAt first, was against it but it looks pretty good and I don't know his MOS or specialty skills but I am assuming because of his background it is good to keep him in the force.
ReplyDeleteAlso agree ELP with the black beret across the Army, we all hated it when I was in and it should only be reserved for elite forces, not regular Army.
I'm with the crowd, or most of them at least, on this one. Looks pretty good actually. I see nothing wrong with making exceptions as long as they're not detrimental to preparedness, morale, discipline, and fighting ability.
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, why is no one complaining about the full beard!?!?
You beat me to that. I thought Sol would have more of an issue with that. Given that Sikh do not cut their hair how do we deal with that. Imagine basic 119 bald guys and 1 with long hair? And a beard!
DeleteObviously not: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/sikh-soldier-completes-us-army-training-with-turban-on-65640
DeleteI waited a bit before posting about this pic. My first thought was what the fuck...That's what made me pause. I'm old enough to remember a time when my father (career US Navy) wore a full beard on the bridge of his ship. It was within reg's at the time to wear a beard. As long as the hair and beard are kept clean and professional, how can it effect the performance of our fighting forces?
ReplyDeleteRegarding facial hair, like beards, doesn't it hinder putting on gas masks and such? I've often heard they require a tight enough seal that beards and such are big no-no's.
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