MSNBC introduced the nation to this man. Meet US Army Captain Dr. Kamaljit Singh Kalsi. He is not a Muslim nor is he Hindu, rather Captain Kalsi is a Sikh. Sikhs demonstrate their faith in God by possessing five symbols of their faith. Those symbols include uncut hair usually covered by a turban, a wooden comb, undergarments, an iron bracelet and a sword.Following 9/11 American Sikhs were the target of numerous hate crimes committed by ignorant Americans unaware of the fact that Sikhs are not Muslim and have nothing to do with terrorism. Quite the opposite really, Sikhs are notoriously patriotic to the countries in which they are citizens and frequently serve in the military. As a matter of fact historically Sikhs are accomplished warriors and continue so today.
Take India for example. There are more Sikhs (almost 20 million) in India than any other country in the world. However, they don't even make up 2% of the Indian population. But Sikhs passionately serve in the military in India making up an incredible 10-15% of all Indian servicemen and over 20% of India's officer corps.
Which brings us back to Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi. When he was a first year med student he joined the army following in the footsteps of his father and his father's father who served in the Indian and British military. He is now finishing up med school and is eager and proud to now serve in the US Army. But there is a catch.
When Dr. Kalsi goes active duty he will be required to break his religious commitment by cutting his hair and removing his turban do to a 1980s military law that does not allow religious symbols to be visible when in uniform. This bothers me because I also wear religious symbols 24/7.
Though my temple garments are not nearly as cool looking as a big beard and turban my temple garments mean a lot to me and represent a serious commitment I made. However, unlike the Sikhs I am not required to remove my garments when in uniform, as a matter of fact, I would not be required to remove a "CTR" ring if I wore one so why should a Sikh have to remove symbols of their religious commitment while in uniform?
We as Americans should be excited to have such military minded men as Sikhs joining the service. Another Sikh contemplating whether to remain in the army said, "I'm offering my life, but I'm not willing to sacrifice my religious beliefs." America is getting more diverse everyday and we could benefit with Sikhs in US military uniforms in nations like Afghanistan.
Point is I have a lot of respect for such commitment not only to their faith but to the nations they call home. What do you think? Should Captain Kalsi be forced to remove his turban and shave if he goes active duty or is it worth not having this qualified doctor serve in order to keep our military heritage?
2 comments:
Oddly enough, military garments are not white. They are the military standard NATO brown. And it wasn't always available, it was fairly recently they were 'allowed' into the military. Many LDS members serving in the armed forces have had to wear regular fatigues.
So while I do sympathize, I also do it knowing that some rules have good intention and aren't necessarily as good in practice. It makes sense we should require a military haircut... it may prove dangerous if a billowing hippy haircut is blinding both the guy sporting it, but men behind him and next to him. While one might question a rule about what kind of undergarment you can wear...
One thing I will give 'us mormons' is that we did not create a big media crisis over it. We didn't got to MSNBC and fight dirty with the military. We supported the military until we were able to work something out. We did in no way undermine support for the military, or publicly question it's authority.
Dr. Kalsi? Even when support for the military actions is down, he decide for personal gain he would further lower public support for the armed forces. Dr. Kalsi was in no way loyal to the military during that interview. One would think that joining the service is self-less, but he just proved how selfish he is. While Dr. Kalsi pledges patriotism, he just sucker punched the military.
Should he be allowed to have his religious symbols? Yes.
And I think the military would be correct in demanding the money for his schooling back as they kicked him out.
Wow, I have never received such a long comment! You must have seen more of this interview than I did because it really did not come off as a "sucker punch," rather a dedicated Doctor begging to be allowed to remain in the army and keep his religious commitment. He doesn't strike me as a guy sporting a "billowing hippy haircut" but that is also why they wear a turban. Clearly you have stronger feelings on the subject than I do, did you serve?
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