For the first time in 23 years, the community's effort has persuaded the Army to make an exception to the rule barring Sikhs from military service in the United States. The U.S. Army has accepted a Sikh recruit, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, who bravely refused to remove his dastaar [turban] or to shave his hair, a condition of joining the military.
The Sikh Coalition said in a statement, "While it applauds the Army's action, it remains concerned that today's decision is an exemption to Army policy only for a single, individual Sikh. There has not yet "been a change of the overall policy excluding Sikhs from service. The Coalition is encouraged, however, that the Army has expressed its willingness to review its general policy of excluding Sikhs from service in the coming months."
Two Sikh men, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a doctor, and Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, were recruited to join the Army's Health Professions Scholarship Program several years ago. Both maintained their turbans throughout the four-year program, and appeared in uniform during specialized Army training, at Army ceremonies, and while working in military medical facilities. Nevertheless, after completing the program, they were told that they must remove their turbans and cut their unshorn hair and beards for active duty. Rather than abandon their faith, they chose to appeal to the Army leadership to end its policy of Sikh exclusion from service. Last week, the Army accommodated Captain Kalsi and deferred a decision on Captain Rattan's appeal until he completes his dental certification.
"I am overjoyed by the Army's decision to allow me to serve my country," said Captain Kalsi. "Like the many Sikhs who fought before me, I know I will serve America with honor and excellence. It is my hope that the Army will soon allow all Sikhs to serve along with me."
A number of prominent members of Congress have called on the Army to welcome all Sikhs, and not just Captain Kalsi, into the military. In August 2009, 43 members of the House of Representatives and six U.S. Senators called on Defense Secretary Robert Gates to allow all Sikhs to serve in the U.S. Army. These efforts were led by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the Senate, and Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) in the House.
"I am gratified that the Army has recognized Captain Kalsi's commitment to his faith and his desire to serve our nation in uniform," said Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen. "As our Army increasingly engages with the world, our engagement is enhanced by having a military that reflects both America's and the world's diversity."
Captain Kalsi and Captain Rattan are represented in their respective appeals by the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP and the Sikh Coalition. McDermott filed the original appeals that brought the current matter before the U.S. Army and led to the landmark decision.
"Throughout the past six months, we have steadfastly asserted that our clients' religious requirements in no way hinder their ability to effectively serve their country," said Amandeep S. Sidhu, McDermott's lead counsel on this case. "We are deeply impressed with the Army's forward-thinking approach in allowing Captain Kalsi to serve with his turban and beard, and we now call upon the Army to consider amendments to a uniform policy that continues to keep out other Sikh Americans from serving in the U.S. Army."
"We wholeheartedly applaud the Army's decision," said Amardeep Singh, program director at the Sikh Coalition. "Sikh inclusion in the Army not only helps our military understand the diverse faiths and cultures that make up America, but also the faiths and cultures where we send soldiers into harm's way. We look forward to the day when the Army welcomes all Sikhs, not just this young man, to serve."
