Oh, and ministers as well. MACV SOG. If a sailor is retired, what right does the navy have to bitch at him because of his beard ? It wasnt really what he wanted to do, he said, so he quickly moved into another job as a cargo specialist. Studies have shown that as much as 60% of African American men suffer from pseudofolliculitis barbae. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". In Old Norse practice, having a beard isnt exactly a requirement, but rather a beloved tradition. We commend their motion to include people from all religions in their grooming standards. Although the Air Force has relaxed their mustache policy, beards are still off limits for airmen. No matter the religious requirements, the Army interpreted Hoppers request as genuine. Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or skegg, the religion doesnt require it. DiPietro remembered thinking how he expected it to be more difficult to get approval. Most older soldiers think like that because thats what they know and respect. If a poorly fitted mask cause a casualty, distraction or interference to the completion of an objective, then his personal choices are a detriment to others. We know, that enemy snipers, and those who fire mortars, wont ever shoot at a medic. And at present there are no government approved gas masks or chemical suits from private makers. A soldier's actions DO affect others and the outcome of the mission. The Pentagon announced Wednesday that beards, turbans, religious body art and other previously off-limits manifestations of spiritual devotion can now be allowed throughout the military. Grow a nut sack unless youve already pu$$ied out and became someones Bitch. Meanwhile, commanders have some new guidelines for mandatory behavioral training. The uniformed service is the place to get both and more to be successful in life. Jacob DiPietro, a cargo specialist with the Florida Army Reserves 489th Transportation Company (Seaport Operations), was approved for a religious exemption to the Army hair standards this week. I seriously doubt they have a Walmart in the middle of the jungle to pick up that lice cream. Jon Simkins is a writer and editor for Military Times, and a USMC veteran. And if its ok with you; Id like to add to the end of it. I'm sick of one rule for this person and another rule for that person. The army granted him several temporary waivers, but never a permanent one. Clean shaven men must have started with someone who had a distorted view of reality. Examples of waiver-approved religious apparel styles for turbans, from left, hijabs and beards in the U.S. Air Force. The Space Force also announced the same expanded mustache policy, along with a more loose tattoo policy. The regulations we served under mean nothing. Disrespectful to what the military stands for. Why should it be any different in the military. Special Forces wear long hair, beards, mustaches, Navy seals the same and these soldiers & sailors are the elite! Facial hair did not make or break the military and never will. And beadsthey should wear hippie beads too, while holding hands and singing Kumbaya, in between sips of espresso, and bites of biscotti they've dunked into it. The army didnt allow it for that reason. DiPietro, who was a specialist assigned to the 1186th Deployment and Distribution Support Battalion at the time, said he felt a need to read the book of Numbers in the Old Testament of the Bible, and in Numbers 6, he found the Nazarite vow. But I couldnt use my Benifits. I bet Amy would look good in a mink, flugo. If there is a wounded soldier on the battlefield, it takes at least two soldiers to get him to safety and treat him. Then again flugo, not everyone in the military is in a combat position. It also could affect Wiccans and others who may obtain tattoos or piercings for religious reasons. Just because you like transgender does not mean the rest of us have put up with this asinine stupidity!!! AMERICA IS NOW WEAK, LAUGHED AT, AND EVERYONE WANTS TO TRY THEIR LUCK AT THE FENCE OF ALL REAL AMERICANS. According to his lawyers, he was told to either shave his beard voluntarily or be held down by his bunk mate and forcibly shaved. If blacks don't have that privilege, then whites shouldn't either, period, regardless of their religion. You said it. KEEP VOTING FOR IDIOTS LIKE BIDEN. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long, the Bible says. Now, though, mums the word from internet commenters. Requiring the unit commander, base chaplain, installation commander up to the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel Division, to all sign off on the beard waiver. Requests for waivers regarding grooming go all the way up to the Secretary level for approval. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. My husband ,David l. Allen, was a 100% disabled veteran. I had 33yrs and worked after I was 65 and the place I worked provide health insurance and I could not qualify for TRI-CARE, now i WANT TO RETIRE AND I HAVE TO PAY A PENALTY FOR NOT HAVING PART B. They ought to make soldiers have long hair, and wear olive drab bandanas, and ride bicycles on the battlefield. Petty Officer 2nd Class Mohammed Shoyeb previously requested and was denied a religious exemption, a situation his lawyer describes as particularly frustrating given that three sailors on his vessel had been granted medical exemptions from shaving due to razor burn. I mean hell, since before I started school, my nickname was, and still is Mink or Minky. That is why the acceptance of gays in the military scarcely caused a murmur, but the effort to believe that a biological male or female should be able to serve while suffering from gender dysphoria, which is defined in the mental health guide DSM 5 as a MENTAL DISORDER just doesnt make any sense. Some 100,000 soldiers died due to chemical gas during that conflict. Religion should be left out of the workplace. Why should they thats not a life threatening that is a personal choice what do the rest of us get some of us that deserves disability from service but cant get it but they can get a sex change operation that wasnt caused by the military. Really? They are required to keep it neatly tied in a hairnet or keep it trimmed. The document was originally issued in 2009 and updated this month. The U.S. Army has reportedly acquiesced to the power of Thor, granting a soldier permission to grow a beard in keeping with his Norse pagan faith. The hair curls back into the skin and causes bumps. They are not allowed to go out and buy their own. A cynic might believe that a white Christian male exercising his religious freedom in the military is somehow more acceptable to some than people of other faiths doing the exact same thing. Should Christian Postal Workers Be Required to Deliver on Sundays? I respect it of course that they have the right but I understand that the practice belongs to the Jewish religion. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. He is forced to remove his turban and beard whenever assigned to a ceremonial unit, and to shave his beard when deployed and receiving Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay. Why the military doesn't just go with those, I don't know. I want killing machines that never falter nor stray nor betray, and certainly want ones that dont bitch about facial hair or gods. This new exception will inspire new recruits to join our military because it ties them a bit closer to the sleek and sharpness of the uniform. We acknowledge that there are pro-fascist Norse Heathenry groups that promote religious creeds requiring a beard. If so, should the military allow all soldiers to keep beards, regardless of religious affiliation? Not to mention the Mexican drug cartel armies. It has absolutely nothing to do with religious beliefs. Almost two years after making his first request for a religious accommodation to grow his hair and beard out while in uniform, an Army sergeant has officially receivedthe green light. In the end he has full retirement short of 20 years active because of that break. When those changes were made, internet commenters far and wide were quick to point out that the facial hair ban serves a legitimate safety purpose. :D. My response was to the article saying there are already men in the military who are allowed facial hair. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Staff Sgt. Militaries around the world have varying policies . ( cane, wheelchair ?? Gaitan notes that growing a beard is a constant reminder of our faith and who we are as Muslims (The Prophet Muhammad was said to have a beard, and it has come to signify a closeness with Allah). I agree that they are allowed to have a beard, and by the way Nazarite Christians or Nazarite Jews, don't get me wrong, they can certainly be Christians and want to practice the Nazarite Jewish system? Or maybe the government hasn't gotten around to it yet. People should stop worrying about others. Amy Minckler made the comment that as long as it doesn't endanger anyone but themselves, they should be allowed to have facial hair. The Coast Guard followed suit, banning them in June 1986, according to the service's historical website. If you have a problem with that, then move to a country, where you can have better benefits and freedom. Women service members should have had relaxed hair styles long ago. The sense of special privilege they come to feel based entirely on the might makes right attitude they are indocrinated into makes every one of them, no matter if they see actua combat or not, a mentally damaged threat to actual society and citizens. I am now 80 years old annd have diffiiculty walking because of joint pains.. A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. LOL! US Army grants first ever religious exemption to Christian soldier to allow him to keep beard and grow hair long https://t.co/kts9VO2SSQ. The Air Forces new grooming policies come shortly after last years updates to approved female hairstyles. Beards don't grow over our eyes, and we don't comb them up on our faces. The . So they either accept the fact that hair buns and beards (with a religious exemption) can be worn but they will not be deployed and if you cant be deployed then you are of no use to the Military and out you go. RETIRED CMC USNAVY! Bring it back , now. If you have any problems with grooming standards to serve your country, you have some serious issues and concerns!! The chaplain corps will work with any military member to aid them in a genuine pursuit of an accommodation, Joint Force State Chaplain Maj. Donald Crandell said. This authorization was a huge step for future military men with religious beards in the military and specifically those practicing Norse Paganism. I took care of him at home. But the Army made policy changes in 2017 that made it easier for soldiers to receive religious exemptions to grow out their hair or beards by allowing the soldiers brigade-level commander to approve the request. In 2018, The United States military updated its restrictions to accommodate soldiers who follow religious doctrinal guidelines on dress and grooming. Air Force allows Sikh airman to wear turban and beard while serving The. If the only reason is because of the masks fitting and they are willing to take that chance just get rid of the rule completely. like not being able to see or even fit a gas mask or other military required eqiptment? Too many other people at risk for a religious belief or a fashion statement. It is not. The only way youll be successful, he said, is if you know the regulations better than the Army itself., If youre serious about your request, do not give up, DiPietro said. Since April, Esper has released 16 memos to reduce administrative burdens on leaders. His unit contacted him and asked if he wanted to press the issue further, but it wasnt a matter of if for DiPietro. Gen. and in my view beards and mustaches are not military, not For some pagans, it is seen as a way of honoring the gods and goddesses. This time I'll probably let it keep growing for the rest of my life. Now they both work at a hospital at a USAF base in this country, him as a civilian, since he's retired. Hair buns for Men, sounds like just what they will do. They'll gladly gift wrap it, and send it directly to her. And if the enemy doesn't want to fight bearded soldiers, they should all go home, and forget about. that is your choice and you should be willing to live with the consequences. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The look of the U.S. Army is about to get a facelift. In 2019, Sgt. My best friend is gay and he is one of many I would like to have protecting me in a fox hole when I am asleep. To sign that contract with the U.S. gov is fo forever surrender your citizenship, from that moment on you are property of the U.S. and every actual citzen who makes their own way in society rather then selling themselves into slavery for security in the form of food,shelter, medical,dental, and the fraternity of the most well armed militant cult on the Earth. The lieutenant would be allowed to wear a beard and turban whenever he wanted, as long as it was not while he was deployed, serving in a combat unit that might deploy, or performing ceremonial . both of which inspire unit confidence and morale and most of all, readiness to protect our freedom and families at home no matter the cost! He spent months working on his formal request, knowing that the Army would look for any reason at all to deny the request. Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. Clean shaven men can think they look manly all they want, but that doesn't make it so. Religious beards in the military were allowed in 2017, but the process to be granted that right takes a bit of time. Rutner said DiPietros request to wear a beard and uncut hair was being approved and noted that there was no specific hazard identified by allowing it. Religious beards in the military were allowed in 2017, but the process to be granted that right takes a bit of time. The policy had a disproportionate impact on African American service members. After that women wanting to wear dresses instead of the standard uniform. Were the Navy and Marines to allow beards for active service personnel when in uniforms, it could have a wider impact on the issue. All rights reserved. Hopefully, someday, we will see the acceptance of beards in the military. nothing any longer. They shouldn't make ITalian female soldiers shave their faces iether. I SWWASZ AN E5 SSGTAND WARDMASTER ATT EDWARDS AFB, CALIFORNIA. Meanwhile, the Navy has announced they are lightening the restrictions on beards and will allow retired sailors to sport them while in dress uniform. Religious minorities need not be placed in a position of choosing between their faith and public service. Photo courtesy of Sikh Americans Veterans Alliance. In 2015, however, the U.S. officially recognized the religion. So DiPietro threw himself into research, reading and re-reading every applicable Army regulation before he submitted his request. He provided the chaplain with a memo he drafted in which he requested his religious accommodation. (Photo via Sgt. I just felt utterly compelled that this is what I was being called to do., By In 2017, grooming standards in the military were updated to better accommodate the faith practices of religious soldiers, primarily Muslims and Sikhs, whose faith requires they keep facial hair. Qat one point became the evening shift supervisor at the U OF I MED CENTER WITH 13ICU UNITS TO LOOK AFTER. You can see what the new tattoo policy is here. Official Statement Re: Religious Beard Accommodations in the US Military. I was out for 88 days and decided to return to the Navy, Now, nothing changed, That was in June 2020. I got out of the Navy after 4 yrs to go back in the Army. Beards were common in the U.S. military until World War I when concerns about the seal of period gas masks were an issue. While beards are a part of Heathen tradition and can be a part of personal observance, they are not required to demonstrate the values of Forn Sidr. RELATED: Sikh American soldiers continue to campaign for right to wear beard, turban. I used to shave with cold water in my pot (helmet liner) in the field with a Of course that was 27 years ago, in the real Navy. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. The Department of Defense recognizes 221 religions including; heathenry, humanism, paganism, and Wicca. is not going to cut it. Up and away to the sky . I, too, had broken service. The in the early 1980s that all went away.. then in the the mid 1990s gang tattoos, face and hand tattoos kept people out. Sgt. Having a beard in the U.S. military can be difficult due to its ban on facial hair while in uniform. Copyright 1977 - 2023 Universal Life Church Ministries. Yup, Biden is a frickin idiot! My 22 year career, Ive seen this cycle. They might even call it the cavalry. "There is no religious requirement for beards in Heathenry," the post read. In a hand-to-hand battle, anything the little bastard can grab will put you at a disadvantage!. Furthermore, the arbitrary and capricious forms of creating conformance, even to how one manages their hair, is outdated and doesnt focus on what really matters in public service: performance,he said. These changes will allow Airmen additional flexibilities as to how to wear mustaches, Gwendolyn DeFilippi, acting deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said in a press release. Check this out!!!! Please remove me from this site. WHY DO YOU THINK WE ARE BETTER THAN ALL THOSE PEOPLE! Meanwhile, the Navy, which has long held on to its ban on beards in uniform despite. In the interim, the Becket Fund says the Navy has agreed to allow all four men religious accommodation to wear beards while the case is pending. The new rules permit religious accommodations for beards, but they may not be longer than 2 inches unless rolled or tied up. He said he researched for six months because he knew if he was wrong on anything, down to the periods at the ends of the sentences, the Army was going to use that as a reason to deny my request. He finally spoke to his unit chaplain about his decision in November 2019. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. MILITARY.NET is a privately owned website and is NOT AFFILIATED (or endorsed)with the U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, or DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 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THEN ENJOY YOUR GAY BUDDIES AND DIE TOGETHER YOUR ARE ONE OF THE REASONS THEY LET GAYS BACK IN THE SERVICE. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Religious accommodations. The Navy allowed beards beginning in 1970, only to reverse the policy in the mid-1980s a directive that was soon followed by the Coast Guard. The Army earlier this year approved religious accommodations for Sikh soldiers to maintain their beards and turbans. The Armys top leadership has been going through pretty much the entire organization with a fine-toothed comb this year, from a new fitness test to a non-deployable policy, and now theyre rolling out some tweaks to the services religious accommodation rules and mandatory training for sexual assault and substance abuse prevention, among others. As a matter of fact, many aren't. Hair buns? Enjoyed your very 'insiteful' post. Maybe there are too bulky for a soldier to carry. For you facial hair obsessed supposed professionals you are entirely missing the real issues. Appeal! I could not agree more General. Its not correct! And still, stranger things have happened, in the Twilight Zone. Photos courtesy of USAF. Odd just sayen. It won't take up much room in their fifty pound backpacks. I totally agree get him out of office pronto. His chaplain then passed it to the company commander and first sergeant, who DiPietro said were amazing and supported the request. It helps to have a god on our side, no matter who we work for. By March 2021, DiPietro still hadnt heard anything from the Army. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Earlier this year First Lieutenant Sukhbir Singh Toor, a practicing Sikh, received approval for limited religious accommodation from the Marine Corps for his faith. Finally, flugo got my vote. Religions That Allow Beards In The Military. Chaplains cannot officially approve or deny requests, but recommendations based on perceived sincerity can be made on the service members behalf. Got all my benefits without a problem. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. From left, A02 Joe Probasco, LTC Kamal S. Kalsi and A02 Guldeep Kaur stand for a photo near the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. LTC Kalsi is the first Sikh American soldier to have been given a uniform accomodation allowing a beard and dastar - both observed as requirements for Sikh followers. I could agree and disagree on this response. NOW HAVE A GOOD DAY, AND WIPE UP YOUR TEARS BABY! Good grief! The Army Times has since reported that a soldier at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri was granted permission to grow a beard in accordance with heathenry. And finally, on July 25, he saw a memo in his email inbox signed by Lt. Gen. Gary Brito, the head of Army personnel, approving his request. Where are they going to hide in a real world situation? Among the virtues beautifully etched in stained-glass in the Australian War Memorial's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are courage, loyalty, patriotism, common sense, and highest of all self . I returned all equipment s that he used like bed, ,,, cane,,wheelchairr( manual/ motorized))) etc to VA. . The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. I THOUGHT IT DIDNT MATTER!!!! The idiots that want to be in the military will soon learn that when he needs to use a chemical protection mask he is a dead man because the mask wont seal. for many years. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Well I can tell you this I hope with great hope that you decide to grow up and get educated and expand that lump 3 feet above your ass and use it for more then a hat rack. And his wife is currently a colonel, and a nurse who only works in hospitals. The gas masks are made to fit tightly against your face, and they can do that if there is a beard blocking it from a complete seal or a hairbun that does not allow the straps to be pulled tightly. Whats next? Every transfer of duty station would start a whole thing about when he rotates again and when he was eligible for retirement. Its a bittersweet decision since DiPietro says he knows he wouldnt be where I am in life were it not for the Army, and even after everything, he knows he wouldnt change anything., But there are things that I see and I dont like like the way soldiers are treated when they seek an exception to policy while following Army regulation, he explained. Hed known that much since he was in third grade when he saw the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, unfold on the television in real-time. It wasnt a matter of one or the other, so he pushed the issue further. If the beard is trimmed neat n clean whats the problem, its guys like you that keep young men from wanting to serve. They then passed it up to the battalion level, which is when things got difficult. If your religion requires you to dress in a manor that restricts your ability to do a particular job or work on certain days, etc. RELATED: Dont confuse military action with the mission of God. You must be related to cousin It, Angel. Sikhs dont cut their hair and beards out of respect for the God-given form. The new standards for the new soldiers will be what they know and respect. Soldiers with a religious accommodation may wear a turban or under . CHOSE YOUR SIDE, BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR ALL YOU ARE ABOUT TO LOSE HERE IN THE FUTURE. Although the Air Force has relaxed their mustache policy, beards are still off limits for airmen. In that same vein, these new policies are designed to flatten processes. Uriah Walker/Army). I cannot find an UNSUBSCRIBE within this item. I served and flew with female Naval Aviators who were outstanding aviators and officers, but they were a definite exception just as ALL Naval Aviators were definite exceptions. Just go to , Macy's.com, and charge it to your account. He is retired, already done his time, he earned the right to his uniform. They ALL target medics, aid workers, journalists, legislators, police, and women. An unlikely boost for the change in the Navys policy came from the Marine Corps. forgot Despite the OCCHs position that this accommodation lacks a religious basis and is not a required tenet of the soldiers faith, there is every indication that this moral decision to adhere to the Nazarite vow is a large and important pillar to his spiritual health and well-being.. Many Sikhs wear a turban and do not cut their hair or shave their beards as an outward commitment to their faith. The first time I went on a recon mission, in Sam Houston National Forest, with U.S. Army J.R.O.T.C. pocket mirror tacked to a tree. He had to appeal his GI bill as well and they paid it. Out of respect to their religion, Sikhs are allowed to grow beards in the Indian army In the armed forces (and police) of India, only Sikhs are allowed to wear beards as their religion expressly requires followers to do so. Does a mustache or hair make me a better soldier, no, but would help the morale in the services! O.K. 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John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his proclaimed devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster a faith also known as Pastafarianism., This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith, Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. Check out your local wounded warriors. What about the Army? The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Hopper, like service members who have sought exemptions before, was advised to meet with a chaplain to present his case. The soldiers brigade-level commander will approve a request for a religious accommodation unless the commander determines the request is not based on a sincerely held religious belief, or identifies a specific, concrete hazard that is not specifically addressed in this directive and that cannot be mitigated by reasonable measures, Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning said at the time.