Score another victory for The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). They announced today that the Department of Defense will begin allowing Muslim and Sikh students who wear head scarf (hijab) or a turban to participate in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC).
“We welcome the fact that Muslim and Sikh students nationwide will now be able to participate fully in JROTC leadership activities while maintaining their religious beliefs and practices,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.
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As you know, Jack, I’m not familiar with the traditions and rules of the military. Have members of the military been allowed to wear religious traditional garb or jewelry items (Christian cross/Star of David) while in uniform? Do students wear uniforms when they participate in ROTC?
Just wondering what traditional military protocal has been. Thanks.
Jack: “Score another victory for The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).”
It’s a victory for civil rights, IMO.
Tina: “Have members of the military been allowed to wear religious traditional garb or jewelry items (Christian cross/Star of David) while in uniform?”
I don’t think those items are restricted. But there’s a difference between those, which are, as you say, “jewelry items,” and the hijab and the turban, which are viewed by many as religious requirements.
There is a lot of debate about the hijab; many women are forced to wear it by their governments or families, but many others in the U.S. wear it by choice, for a variety of reasons. I’m not as familiar with the issues surrounding the turban or Sikhism in general, but I am sure there is a lot of controversy within that religion on this subject as well.
As long as these items do not hinder any of the activities necessary for the ROTC, there is no reason they should not be allowed. I think the same is true for the actual military.
Tina, per AR 670-1, US Army manual, it is forbidden, unless under special combat circumstances, for anyone in any branch of the military to wear anything upon their uniform that is not authorized by their particular branch of service. No crosses, pins, nothing… may be attached to the uniform without specific authorization as may be found in your military manual issued by the Pentagon. They have been very strict about this for as long as I can recall. For women soldiers to be allowed to wear any religious article of clothing over the U.S. uniform is absolutely unthinkable…or at least it used to be. I think making exceptions for Muslims is a big mistake that makes them stand out and be seen as different from everyone else, not good, and for a number of reasons.
Jack I thought that this was the case and I support the reasoning behind it even without knowing all of the specifics. Uniformity, discipline, respect for authority…is there anything about the military that isn’t ultimately about giving a guy the best possible opportunity to survive when it counts!?
I agree; it’s a mistake.
Chris: ” But there’s a difference between those, which are, as you say, “jewelry items,” and the hijab and the turban…”
Okay…what about the Jewish yarmulke?
Jack, do you know? Has the head covering that orthodox Jewish men wear been considered an “authorized” item?
UNIFORM: A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization’s activity.
also: adj. Always the same, as in character or degree; unvarying. Conforming to one principle, standard, or rule; consistent. Being the same as or consonant with another or others…
The word carries the meaning.
“As long as these items do not hinder any of the activities necessary for the ROTC…”
Military life isn’t the same as civilian life. The exception has always been made by the individual or if this is not personally possible, his choice would be not to serve.
How about our own American Indians? Are we to allow them to wear headdresses and war paint? Wear the uniform or don’t join! If life here in the US is too constrictive maybe they would be happier someplace else.
Yarmulke? I’ve never seen that authorized except on the head of a Rabbi in clergy service. Even in the Israeli army they wear a beret, not the yarmulke.