Chuck Hagel asked to explain exclusion of Sikhs from US military

“The privilege of serving one's country should not be denied a person for adhering to his or her religious beliefs,” the Commission Chairman Martin R Castro, said.  

“We look forward to a constructive dialogue with the Secretary of Defence to ensure that Sikh Americans, and others, may serve without sacrificing their faith,” he added.  

The Commission wrote the letter to Hagel, months after Major Kamaldeep Singh Kalsi, a Sikh who has received a personal accommodation, or exception, from the Army's policy in a briefing helped the Commission understand the exclusionary impact of the military's policy on Sikh Americans service members.

To date, only two other Sikh Americans have joined Major Kalsi in serving in armed forces—Captain Tajdeep Rataan, who also served in Afghanistan and was awarded both the US Army Commendation Medal and the NATO Medal for his service, and Simranpreet Singh Lamba, an Army enlisted service member.  

“While we commend the Department of Defence's provisions to accommodate Sikh Americans wishing to serve their country, this is but a temporary and individualised solution,” the letter said, “It is our understanding that of concern to the military is the possible interference of the Sikh turban and facial hair with protective gear like gas masks or military headgear,” the Commission said.

“Because we received testimony that Sikh service members can wear their helmets and gas masks properly while maintaining their unshorn hair and beards and wearing their turbans without compromising safety or decorum, the Commission is concerned that the aforementioned policies may result in the unnecessary exclusion of Sikh Americans and Americans of other religious faiths from military service based on their religious beliefs manifested in their dress and grooming,” the letter said.