A US court on Friday ordered the US Marine Corps to allow its Sikh recruits to wear beards and turbans, dismissing the elite unit’s argument that it was detrimental to group cohesion.
The US Army, US Navy, US Air Force and Coast Guard already allow Sikhs to join their ranks while respecting the precepts of this monotheistic religion, which emerged in northwestern India in the 16th century and requires men to cut their hair prohibits beards and requires the wearing of a turban.
But the Marine Corps, in response to three Sikhs who underwent tests for recruitment last year, refused to grant exceptions to the rules during their training and potential combat times — though the three candidates are allowed to wear beards and turbans at other times.
The command had argued that the recruits should be “taken away from their individuality” as part of a “psychological transformation,” according to the verdict.
Argument refuted by a Washington Court of Appeals, which ruled that the Marines had produced no evidence that a beard and turban would affect safety or the smooth running of training.
Especially since this body allows men with certain skin problems not to shave and tattoos in general.