Sikh Soldier retains turban during U.S. army training
By siliconindia   |   Friday, 12 November 2010, 09:08 IST
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New York: In a system where any alien culture raises an eye brow and fails a nod, a twenty six year old Sikh stood tall to complete a full course military training. Simran Preet Singh Lamba became the first enlisted Sikh soldier in the US army in more two decades to complete basic training without shedding his turban and other articles of faith, reports NDTV. U.S. army guidelines, which still rule out Sikhs who maintain their turban and beard however made a different stand here. Sikhs in the US military may maintain their religiously-mandated turban and unshorn hair only if they receive an individual exemption to do so, which Lamba managed to attain. In 1981, the Army banned "conspicuous" religious articles of faith, including turbans and unshorn hair, for its service members. The interdict was endorsed despite a long history of Sikhs serving in the US military with their religious identity unharmed. Recruited by the Army in 2009 through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) programme for his language skills in Punjabi and Hindi, Lamba completed basic training with his turban and unkempt hair at Fort Jackson outside Columbia and became a US citizen. But things were not all that easy for Lamba. At the outset he was told that his Sikh articles of faith would likely be accommodated. But, in March 2010, his formal request for a religious lodging was denied. Lamba appealed the verdict, 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. He wore a helmet over a small turban during field exercises. During gas mask exercises, he effectively created a seal. He also took pleasure in deep bonds with fellow soldiers and his superiors. "I am thrilled to serve with my fellow soldiers and serve the United States of America. I humbly believe I was able to excel in all aspects of my training. Most importantly, I was overwhelmed by the support and camaraderie I felt with my fellow soldiers and base leadership. I thank them all and look forward to my service," Lamba said. The past year has seen welcome progress in the campaign to restore Sikh service in the US military. In March, Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, became the first Sikh commissioned officer to complete basic training in more than two decades. In September, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a physician, became the second Sikh commissioned officer to complete basic training. It should be an interesting and added prestige for the Indians that Sikh soldiers served in the US Army as far back as World War I. Thousands of Sikh soldiers helped liberate France in WWII. Today, Sikhs serve in the militaries of England, Canada, India and Austria, among others, often alongside American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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