Sikh recruit makes Marine Corps historical past, finishing boot camp with turban, beard

One of America’s latest Marines made historical past Friday as the primary Sikh to finish boot camp with out having to shave his head or beard or quit the “articles of faith” that Sikhs take into account sacred.

Private First Class Jaskirat Singh, 21, accomplished coaching on the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego after a federal choose ordered the navy service in April to accommodate the recruit’s non secular practices. The order got here practically a yr after three Sikhs and Jewish and Muslim recruits sued the Marines searching for non secular lodging.

The Army and Air Force accommodate Sikh recruits, lawyer Giselle Klapper with the Sikh Coalition mentioned, whereas the Navy presents extra restricted lodging. The Marines have been essentially the most restrictive of the companies.

The courtroom order lined solely Pfc. Singh, however Ms. Klapper mentioned the group hopes the Marine Corps will lengthen the lodging to all Sikh recruits.

“The Army has figured this out. The Air Force has figured this out. And so our hope is that the Marine Corps will figure this out,” she mentioned.

The recruit, who hails from Houston, appeared at a video information convention sporting a Sikh turban to which the Marine Corps emblem was affixed in addition to an “expert” badge indicating his prowess as a marksman. Early in his recruit coaching, he was chosen as a squad chief, a coalition spokesman mentioned, and remained one all through the coaching interval.

The new Marine mentioned he expects to serve within the infantry.

“I’m proud to demonstrate that wearing a turban or a beard does not make me any different or less of a Marine and I intend to prove that in the future,” Pfc. Singh mentioned. “My personal hope is that today’s events can show other young Sikhs that if they want to pursue a career in the military, they can do so while staying true to their faith.”

Pfc. Singh mentioned his understanding of the Sikh religion’s ideas “overlaps with my decision to serve my country” as a Marine. He mentioned “many” of his fellow Sikhs served within the navy.

“I want other Sikhs to know that their turbans, beards and other articles of faith don’t have to be an obstacle to any career, including one like mine,” he mentioned.

The “articles of faith” that Sikhs put on embody: kesh, or unshorn hair; kanga, a small comb; a metal bracelet referred to as a kara; the kirpan, which resembles a small knife; and underwear referred to as kachera.

He credited his fellow recruits with supporting him throughout the wrestle.

“They did ask questions” about his articles of religion, Pfc. Singh mentioned, “I didn’t really mind explaining it to them. But it wasn’t like they were bullying me or anything. They were pretty much like, ‘Yo, that’s pretty cool, that’s dope.’ They were very supportive.”

He mentioned his drill instructors “went into it with open minds” and “treated me no different than the other recruits.”