Vice Chair Crowley Welcomes Military Leaders' Call for Department of Defense to End Presumptive Ban on Sikh Americans

Statement

Today, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus and a leader on Sikh American issues in Congress, released the statement below on the letter sent by 27 retired U.S. military leaders encouraging the Department of Defense to allow Sikh Americans to serve in the military while maintaining articles of faith, such as a turban and beard. Crowley has been a leading voice in urging the U.S. military to end its presumptive ban on Sikh Americans who wish to serve.

"The support for allowing Sikh Americans to serve in our military while adhering to their religious beliefs is overwhelming, as most recently evidenced by the letter to Secretary of Defense Carter from a group of prominent retired military leaders. We are a stronger nation, and a stronger military, because of our rich diversity. Sikh Americans love this country and want a fair chance to serve in our nation's military -- we should embrace this wish, not place restrictions on it. I will continue my efforts to end the presumptive ban on service by Sikh Americans so that those who want to serve, can serve. It is time for our military to make inclusion of practicing Sikh Americans the rule, not the exception."

Last year, Crowley and Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) led over 100 Members of Congress in a bipartisan letter to the Department of Defense urging the U.S. Armed Forces to update their appearance regulations to once again allow Sikh Americans to serve while abiding by their articles of faith, such as wearing a turban or beard.

Sikhs have served in the U.S. Army since World War I, and they are presumptively permitted to serve in the armed forces of Canada, India, and the United Kingdom, among others. Currently, three Sikh Americans have been granted individualized accommodations to serve in the U.S. Army where they have won accolades for their service including the Bronze Star. These patriotic soldiers wear turbans and maintain beards in a neat and conservative manner in accordance with operational requirements. They are also able to wear protective equipment, including helmets and gas masks, in conformity with safety requirements.

In June, a U.S. District Court ruled that adherence to practicing Sikhism would not diminish the ability of a Sikh American student, Iknoor Singh, to serve in the U.S. military. Singh, who resides in Queens and is a student at Hofstra University, was seeking enrollment in the U.S. Army's Reserve Officer Training Corps.

A recognized leader in Congress on issues related to the Sikh-American community, Crowley spearheaded a multi-year, successful effort to convince the federal government to begin collecting data on hate crimes committed against Sikh-Americans and Hindu-Americans, an important issue brought to nationwide attention by the massacre of Sikh worshippers in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

Congressman Crowley is the nine-term representative from the 14th Congressional District of New York, which includes sections of Queens and the Bronx. He is a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives.

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