Conditions apply: New US rules on beards, turbans

Military to accommodate religious request unless it has adverse effect on military readiness, missions, discipline.

The US Defence Department has clarified rules allowing Sikhs, Muslims and other religious-minority service members to wear a turban, scarf or beard as long as the practices do not interfere with military discipline, order or readiness, a report carried by IANS agency said. Requests will be denied only if the item interferes with wearing a uniform, a helmet or other military gear. “The military departments will accommodate religious requests of service members unless a request would have an adverse effect on military readiness, mission accomplishment, and discipline,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Lt Cmdr Nathan J Christensen announced.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2014.