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First turbaned, bearded Sikh graduates as U.S. Marine Corps recruit training
Jaskirat Singh was allowed to keep his turban, beard, and other articles of faith following a court ruling that granted him the accommodation.
Private First Class Jaskirat Singh / Mark Abramson via the Sikh Coalition
In a historical first, A 21-year-old Sikh recruit has graduated from Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego with his Sikh articles of faith (turban and beard) intact.
The five articles of faith that Sikhs wear all the time include kesh (unshorn hair), kanga (small comb), kara (steel bracelet), kirpan (religious article resembling a knife), and kachera (soldier-shorts).
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Private First Class (PFC) Jaskirat Singh, who is represented by the Sikh Coalition, an advocacy organisation for Sikh Americans, had submitted a request for an accommodation to serve with his articles of faith in November 2021.
In February 2022, he was offered an accommodation that would have required him to sacrifice his turban and beard while at recruit training. Singh and two other recruits sued the Marine Corps in April 2022, which resulted in a positive ruling for them, and they were thus allowed to complete their training with their articles of faith.
“I am honoured to serve my country in the Marine Corps, and proud that I was able to do so while respecting my Sikh faith. I hope that my graduation sends a clear message to other young Sikhs who are considering military service: Your faith does not have to be a barrier to any career,” said Singh, who will next head to his assigned military occupational specialty (MOS) school for specialized training.
Giselle Klapper, Sikh Coalition deputy legal director said, “Despite being kept in legal limbo for far too long as he fought to serve, PFC Singh’s determination and perseverance have paid off.”
She further added, “As he continues to excel in his profession, we and our partners will continue pushing for him to have a complete accommodation for the remainder of his career in the USMC—and for the USMC to make a systemic policy change that will bring it in line with the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force’s proactive moves to stop discrimination against Sikhs.”
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