• Welcome to all New Sikh Philosophy Network Forums!
    Explore Sikh Sikhi Sikhism...
    Sign up Log in

USA US Army Gets First Sikh Enlisted Soldier In 30 Years

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
(AP) -- FORT JACKSON, S.C. (AP) - The first Sikh to go through U.S. Army basic combat training in 30 years is graduating at a South Carolina military installation, just hours after becoming an American citizen.

Spc. Simran Lamba was completing his training Wednesday at Fort Jackson outside Columbia. He was permitted to wear unshorn hair and a turban under a religious accommodation granted by the nation's largest military branch.

Army policies had effectively prevented Sikhs from enlisting since 1984. The Army has two Sikhs who became medical officers in recent years, but it hasn't had one in the enlisted ranks.

Lamba was recruited under a special program seeking speakers of two languages in India, Hindi and Punjabi.

http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=538631
 
📌 For all latest updates, follow the Official Sikh Philosophy Network Whatsapp Channel:
Top