1st Sikh in decades graduates Army officer school

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I disagree with this policy completely. There is a reason new recruits and officers candidates are given buzz cuts (among other standards) upon entering their military training. It is to strip you of the kinds of individuality which cause some to place loyalties to other ideals above those to their fellow serviceman and/or country. The kinds of things that cause members of military service to ****** their fellow service members in the name of one thing or the other.

I would say all jobs aren't for all people. If you have a circumstance in your life too big to conform to military standards and regs. Then the military is probably not for you.:dunno:

Don't get me wrong, the military should welcome anyone irrespective of their religion or otherwise willing to serve their country. But there ought to be one set of rules with no exceptions except in medical cases.

SAN ANTONIO – The soldiers in standard-issue fatigues and combat boots stood side-by-side repeating their creed: "I am an American soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army values ...."

Capt. Tejdeep Singh Rattan was no different except that he wore a full beard and black turban, the first Sikh in a generation allowed to complete U.S. Army basic officer training without sacrificing the articles of his faith. He completed the nine-week training Monday after Army officials made an exemption to a policy that has effectively prevented Sikhs from enlisting since 1984.

"I'm feeling very humbled. I'm a soldier," said the 31-year-old dentist, smiling after the ceremony at Fort Sam Houston. "This has been my *****."

Rattan had to get a waiver from the Army to serve without sacrificing the unshorn hair mandated by his faith. An immigrant from India who arrived in New York as a teenager, Rattan said he hopes his military commitment will allow him to give back to his adopted home country and will help diminish prejudice Sikhs sometimes face in the U.S.

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