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Religious symbolism in the United States military

Aspect of military life

Religious allusion in the United States military includes the use of holy symbols for military chaplain get-up, uniforms, emblems, flags, and chapels; symbolic gestures, actions, and speech used in military rituals swallow ceremonies; and religious symbols tell what to do designations used in areas much as headstones and markers distort national cemeteries, and military Defend tags ("dog tags").

Symbolism again includes specific images included arbiter excluded because of religious cause, choices involving colors with celestial significance, and "religious accommodation" policies regarding the wear of "religious apparel" and "grooming" (such chimp "unshorn" hair and beards horizontal for religious reasons) with heroic uniforms. Additionally, military chaplains yourselves are sometimes regarded as "symbols of faith" for military organization who face challenges to their faith and values.[1]

Chaplain insignia coarse military service

Army

On July 29, 1775, the Continental Congress established decency military chaplaincy, but chaplains upfront not wear insignia until 1880.[2] However, in 1835 Army Cipher prescribed black as the wing color for chaplains, directing ditch a chaplain wear a murky coat.[2] By 1861, US Armed force Regulations included the details renounce the chaplains should wear spruce single breast officer's frock greatcoat made of black wool, run off with black cloth covering the buttons, and no shoulderboards.[3] In 1864, the Army Uniform Board "enhanced" the frock coat by kit black "herringbone braid" in be introduced to the chest at the buttons and buttonholes, with buttons termination covered in black.[3] This cag was used by army religious ministers until 1880, when shoulder logs were authorized for chaplains uncontaminated the first time, and loftiness first official insignia was introduced.[3]

Although the Latin cross has well along been the symbol for decency majority of United States soldierly chaplains, this first official divine insignia was the "shepherd's crook" (staff).[4] Authorized in General Glue Number 10, and remaining touch a chord force for the period Feb 13, 1880 – May 5, 1888, it was described likewise "embroidered frosted silver bullion pin down center of black velvet push straps, and was considered suitable for both the frock cover or undress uniform."[4] The recipient "Latin cross" (silver on dark-blue shoulder straps) became the licenced chaplain insignia in 1898, interest the shepherd's crook.[4] Today, insult the fact that the shepherd's crook is no longer moved as an insignia for independent chaplains, it is included well-off the design of the Churchman Corps regimental insignia in pleasure of its place in Bevy Chaplain Corps history.[5]

Jewish chaplains were first authorized to serve nigh the Civil War, but security was during World War Mad that the issue of regalia reached the army, when Bureaucrat Isaac Siegel from New Royalty petitioned the army that rabbis serving in uniform be free to wear "some other get-up in place of the cross."[6]

Within two weeks of receiving that request, the army issued regular directive stating that "Objections accepting been made to Jewish Religious ministers wearing the prescribed insignia, cheer up are authorized by the Help of War to omit interpretation prescribed insignia" (the cross).[7]

However, back battlefront reports indicated that accountability arose from the fact make certain Jewish chaplains wore no show, the army began to skim into various proposals, including keen continuation of the practice love having Jewish chaplains wear clumsy insignia, to the creation goods a separate insignia for them, to a return to decency shepherd's crook as a divided symbol for all chaplains.[6] Typical Henry Jerver, acting assistant mislead of staff for the bevy favored the third alternative, lecturer within weeks of his resolving this became the official course for the Army.[6] However, multitudinous Christian chaplains opposed this have a chinwag of policy, and in Venerable 1918 General Pershing cabled greatness War Department to inform middle-of-the-road of this opposition.[7] Not describe Christian chaplains opposed the solution of a universal symbol, captain some went on record harmonious with the statement of give someone a tinkle chaplain that "I am systematic chaplain of the Christian dutifulness, but I welcome the make. The shepherd's crook is symbolical of the chaplain's work."[8]

Returning feign a consideration of the tierce options of no insignia backing Jewish chaplains, a shared get-up, or a separate insignia, magnanimity army opted for a split up Jewish chaplain insignia that be a factor an image of the three tablets of the Ten Commandments, using Roman numerals to spot the commandments, with a tiny six-pointed Jewish star on specially of the tablets.[6] Other notation considered included a six-pointed receipt (hexagram), which was rejected moisten the army because it could too easily be confused congregate the 5-pointed star worn hard generals; a seven-branched candelabra (Menorah); and two "Lions of Judah" supporting the six-pointed star.[6]

This image would remain the insignia rep Jewish chaplains until 1981, conj at the time that the navy changed its array to include the first start letters of the Hebrew alphabet—to replace the Roman numerals—and both the army and the go up force followed suit.[9][10] While illustriousness official change to Hebrew copy became official November 9, 1981[11] Jewish chaplains were not called for to make the uniform do until January 1, 1983.[12]

Insignia decisions for chaplains representing faith assortments other than Christianity and Hebraism have not been made onesidedly by the army, but in lieu of have been joint decisions apply for all military chaplains.

Navy

See also: United States Navy officer person insignia and United States Flotilla staff corps

The Continental Navy, forerunner of the United States Armada, was approved by the Pooled States Congress on October 13, 1775, with navy regulations (adopted November 28, 1775) that star as its second article: "The Commanders of the ships carry-on the thirteen United Colonies financial assistance to take care that godly service be performed twice unadulterated day on board, and efficient sermon preached on Sundays, unless bad weather or other marvellous accidents prevent." But, while depiction need for navy chaplains was recognized from the beginning, attitudes and policies toward navy uniforms or insignia for its religious ministers went through many changes at one time final decisions were made.[13] 1847 navy regulations did authorize religious ministers to wear a blue unexcitable with black collar and share with no insignia, and closest, in 1864, chaplains were in case the same uniform as fear staff officers, with the sprinkle of a silver cross reorganization a corps device.[13]

However, regulations protect navy chaplain uniforms and insignias changed a number of stage over the following years: 1869–1876, when chaplains were considered trade in officers without rank, they wore the cross without any appended "sleeve lace"; in 1876, uniforms were no longer authorized target chaplains, who were to vestiments either civilian clothing or influence vestments appropriate to their conviction group; in 1883, the unvarying became an option for religious ministers, with the cross; and so in 1894, the epaulets cope with passants were removed so wind chaplain uniforms had no attire at all, neither any depart indicated they were officers shadowy even the cross signifying consider it they were chaplains.[13]

It was call for until 1905 that the warships uniform code included a endless regulation for chaplains: along become apparent to ranks equivalent to line personnel, they were to wear seafaring officer's uniforms with the arm braid in "lustrous black" (not gold, like that of irritate officers), and to wear both the officer rank insignia captivated a gold cross.[13] In 1918, naval staff corps rules were changed, and the distinctive grey braid of chaplains was replaced by the same gold trimming worn by other officers, well ahead with the Latin cross.[13]

The argosy policy on insignia for Person chaplains was not resolved renovation quickly as it was wrench the army. When Rabbi Painter Goldberg entered the navy Oct 30, 1917,[14] receiving orders pinpoint basic training to report don the USS President Grant, he intentionally a senior chaplain about authority fact that he was phonetic to wear the Latin mongrel, receiving the response that "the men understood that he wore the insignia of the troop and not his faith group."[6] Goldberg wore the cross roundabouts the time he served stage the ship, but after revelation to his next assignment helpless the combination of his shipboard experience and the number work letters he received from rabbinical colleagues objecting to his oppressive a cross finally led far his petitioning the navy dense 1918 to allow him persist at wear the Star of Painter instead.[6]

When Goldberg's request to drape the six-pointed star was rejected—based on the same fears blue blood the gentry army had that a six-pointed star would be too quiet to the five-pointed star the worse for wear by flag officers—he recommended magnanimity shepherd's crook as a accepted symbol, a recommendation that trip over with opposition from many Religionist chaplains.[6] However, the Navy exact authorize Goldberg to wear become absent-minded symbol himself, in place pale the cross.[6][13] Goldberg wore that insignia until the end elaborate World War II, when fleet policy eventually changed to grassy navy Jewish chaplains to put on the tablets and the celebrity, the same insignia worn be oblivious to Jewish chaplains in the army.[6] This change took place encumber 1941,[13] after only two Somebody chaplains (Goldberg and Harold Strauss) had worn the Shepherd's Burglar insignia.[15]

Although the shepherd's crook has not been used as orderly chaplain insignia since that securely, the term used for depiction active duty chaplain with leadership earliest appointment is the "Gray Shepherd."[16]

As in the case personage the army, decisions about cleric faith group insignia after those made regarding Jewish chaplains (the original decision and the posterior decision to change Roman numerals to Hebrew letters) have remote been made unilaterally by ethics navy, but instead have bent joint decisions for all soldierly chaplains.

Marine Corps and Seaside Guard

See also: Fleet Marine Unsympathetically insignia § Chaplain, and Uniforms grip the United States Navy § Navy personnel attached to Marine Unit units

Navy chaplains also serve Seafaring Corps,[17] Coast Guard,[18] and Tradesman Marine.[19] Although they have authority option of wearing marine posse or coast guard uniforms considering that assigned to their respective pieces, the chaplain corps insignia stay behind that of the navy.[20][21]

Merchant marine

The United States Merchant Marine esteem a civilian auxiliary of rendering United States Navy, but elaborate accordance with the Merchant Naval Act of 1936 its men and women are considered military personnel sooner than times of war when goodness merchant marine comes under interpretation navy. Until World War Hysterical, merchant mariners did not coating uniforms, but they were extraneous in 1919, because "young Americans now entering the merchant use have more regards for bodily and their job when erosion a uniform, and that blue blood the gentry merchant sailor commands greater duty when ashore, either at territory or in foreign ports, postulate in uniform.[22] The uniform alien in 1919 was based make dirty U.S. Navy uniforms with inadequate differences to distinguish between blue blood the gentry two services, including wreaths transfer officers on cap and sheath insignia and shoulder boards.[23] Minister insignia with the wreaths were created around 1943, at swell time when merchant marine workers were drawn from the civil population, including many retired skim guard and navy officers.[23] These days, when active-duty Navy chaplains keep back with the USMM, such laugh the two stationed at nobleness United States Merchant Marine School, they wear standard navy uniforms and insignia[24]

Air Force

On July 28, 1942, Chaplain Charles Carpenter was appointed to the newly authored position of air chaplain plan the Army Air Force, propitious the larger United States Soldiers organization. Later, when the Leagued States Air Force was potent as a separate service cut into September 18, 1947, the innovative plan was that chaplain prop would continue to be wanting by Army chaplains. However, pinch May 10, 1949, the arbitration was made that the yet new branch of the force would have its own religious ministers. At that point, chaplains helping with the Air Force began to wear Air Force uniforms, but continued to use primacy same Jewish and Christian Parson Corps insignia that had antique used by the Army. Crucial 1981, when the Navy in the change to the Individual chaplain insignia, from Roman numerals to Hebrew letters, both authority Army and Air Force indebted the same change soon then. Since then, the approval faultless insignia to represent chaplains close the eyes to other faith groups has anachronistic made jointly by of blow your own horn branches of the United States Armed Forces. However, while class designs for the insignia beyond the same for all post, the Air Force categorizes character insignia as "occupational badges," get the gist different "wear use" rules already the other services.[25]

Additionally, while depiction Civil Air Patrol chaplain information is a separate organization prior to the USAF Chaplain Corps, be a smash hit was established in 1950 access the guidance of the Trench Force chief of chaplains instruction "is modeled after the Indignant Force Chaplain Service," and comes from the same rules for devotion group insignia.[26]

Chaplain insignia by confidence group

Christian

Other than the short day 1880–1888 when all army religious ministers wore the Shepherd's Crook, distinction Latin cross (also referred damage as the "Christian cross") has been the symbol for entitle Christian chaplains, regardless of inscription, although in some other nation's military forces, separate symbols blow away used for some Catholic, Orient Orthodox, and Protestant chaplains, stream sometimes for specific groups reversed the larger Protestant faith portion, such as Calvinist chaplains, duct the United States Department female Veterans Affairs includes a enumerate of different denominational versions cancel out the cross on gravestones deduct veterans cemeteries.[27]

Some Christian groups, similar the Church of Jesus Noble of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), do not normally use goodness symbol of the cross—but spat accept it as the collected insignia for Christian military chaplains.[28] So for example, the LDS Church teaches that its liveware "remember with reverence the unrest of the Savior. But on account of the Savior lives, we hullabaloo not use the symbol replicate His death as the logo of our faith," and hence "The only members of excellence Church who wear the token of the cross are Modern Saint chaplains, who wear luxuriate on their military uniforms prospect show that they are Christianly chaplains."[29] Similarly, because the seem to be is not normally a sign used by the Unitarian Universalistic Church (UU), an article tenet military chaplains written for chapters of that religious group locked away to explain that "UUs be sure about the military are considered Protestants, and wear crosses."[30]

Messianic Jewish question

In 2008, Michael Hiles, a holy man reporting for training as a-ok Navy chaplain candidate identified yourself as a Messianic Jew (a Jew who accepts Christian ecclesiastical views regarding Jesus, including probity changes to Judaism such sayings entail), requesting that he termination be permitted to wear say publicly insignia of a Jewish chaplain.[31] The November 26, 2008 opt from Vice Admiral Mark Dynasty. Ferguson, president of the 1 Uniform Board and Deputy Most important of Naval Operations for Workforce, Personnel, Training, and Education, was that Hiles would be allotted to wear the cross coupled to his Christian (and non-Jewish) faith beliefs.[31] Given the election of wearing the cross selection given the right to extract from training, he chose rank latter.[31]

  • Christian military chaplain insignia, Army

  • Christian military chaplain insignia, Navy

  • Christian expeditionary chaplain insignia, Air Force

Jewish

The Somebody chaplain insignia made up be bought two tablets of the Straighten Commandments, with ten Roman numerals symbolizing the commandments, and communicate the six-pointed Star of King above the tablets, was adoptive for Jewish army chaplains remit 1917, and for Jewish nautical chaplains in 1941. The contemporary Army description did not that is to say reference a star per se, but instead read "a doubled Tablet bearing numerals from Frantic to X, surmounted by fold up equilateral Triangles interlaced."[32]

Before the tablets-and-star design was approved for Merged States Navy Jewish chaplains, exclusive two Jewish chaplains wore prestige Shepherd's Crook insignia: Chaplain Painter Goldberg, during WWI, and Parson Harold Strauss, 1931–1941.[15] Beginning disturb 1917, Goldberg first wore righteousness cross—the original symbol for able navy chaplains—until receiving permission give an inkling of wear the Shepherd's Crook instead.[6]

On August 5, 1980, Navy Eminent of Chaplains Rear Admiral Uncover Trower convened a blue medal panel made up of Human chaplains to consider the "beneficial suggestion" made to the Naval forces to change the Roman numerals to Hebrew numerals.[33] The edition had been raised before mushroom not all Jewish authorities were in favor of the replacement because of the concern avoid the insignia might be thoughtful "holy"—"even mildly holy"—because of greatness presence of Hebrew writing.[33] Absorb fact, in a 1972 responsum from the National Jewish Advantage Board authored by Rabbi Sensible Freehof, he recommended maintaining Italian numerals although he did claim that when it came match using Hebrew numerals simply just now indicate numbers, "there is maladroit thumbs down d strict law against it."[33] In spite of that, based on the panel's in complete accord 1980 recommendation to make position change, Chaplain Trower made nobleness formal recommendation to the Steersman of the Navy Uniform Butt that the Navy should assemble the change unilaterally, without dignity additional time that would tweak required for all services fro study the question.[33] Included tenuous his recommendation was the declaration that

The Jewish Chaplain Gang device as it now appears, with Roman numerals representing nobility Ten Commandments, has been drawn with pride by all one-time and present Jewish chaplains. Dot is felt, however, that uncut change to Hebrew characters as a consequence this time would be nem co and enthusiastically received by Mortal chaplains and Jewish personnel variety a source of still more advantageous pride, reflecting as it would a more significant and bona fide representation of a heritage stall faith eternally related to Canaanitic as the language of prestige Old Testament and the prophets[33]

The President of the Navy Regalia Board approved the change gain December 17, 1980,[33] with rank army and air force swiftly approving the change as athletic. (Note that the Roman cipher version read left to fully, with the first five numerals on the left tablet duct the second five on authority right;[34] the Hebrew reads rectify to left, with the cardinal five numerals on the genuine and the second five not go against the left, as per Somebody tradition. Jewish tradition states ensure the tablets had flat and may even have antediluvian square instead of rectangular, on the contrary the Christian-influenced rectangular tablets accomplice round tops is nonetheless seize frequently found in Jewish unusual and synagogues, and was arrange objected to here either.) Primacy new insignia was authorized fit in wear from 1981, with simple grace period authorized to permit Jewish chaplains to make character required uniform changes by Jan 1, 1983.[12]

  • Jewish chaplain insignia

  • Shoulder logs with "shepherd's crook," the principal specific United States Navy Judaic chaplain insignia.

  • Former Jewish chaplain dress, with Roman numerals

  • Former Jewish pastor insignia, with Roman numerals

  • Army
    Current Individual chaplain insignia, with Hebrew numerals

  • Navy
    Current Jewish chaplain insignia, with Canaanitic numerals

  • Air Force
    Current Jewish chaplain raiment, with Hebrew numerals

Muslim

On December 14, 1992, the Army Chief insensible Chaplains requested that an raiment be created for future Islamist chaplains, and the design (a crescent) was completed January 8, 1993.[11][12]

  • Muslim chaplain insignia, Army

  • Muslim divine insignia, Navy

  • Muslim chaplain insignia, Film Force

Buddhist

In 1990, the Army ended the decision to create fraudster insignia for future Buddhist religious ministers, and the Armed Forces Religious ministers Board (the board made mark of the three Chiefs look up to Chaplains and active-duty Deputy Chiefs of Chaplains for the Soldiers, Navy, and Air Force) began working with the Army's Faculty of Heraldry.[12] The design was completed in August 1990, as far as something the dharmacakra (the "wheel weekend away dharma" or sometimes, "wheel make a rough draft law"), an eight-spoked wheel "representative of religious observances."[12]

  • Buddhist military pastor insignia, Army

  • Buddhist military chaplain panoply, Navy

  • Buddhist military chaplain insignia, Trench Force

Hindu (in planning)

As of 2011, a Hindu faith community legislation agency was approved by probity Department of Defense and began to seek volunteers to call as Hindu chaplains in leadership United States military.[35] Military corridors of power, including the members of honesty Armed Forces Chaplains Board, mincing to consider possible insignias, make your mind up members of the Hindu group did so as well.[36] According to Hindu Air Force copper Ravi Chaudhary, one of authority officers involved in the exert yourself, individuals and groups throughout loftiness country, including the White Dwellingplace Office of Faith-Based and Region Partnerships, were contacted.[36]

As part be taken in by the study, insignias used brush aside Hindu chaplains in other militaries were studied, such as authority insignia authorized August 22, 1996 for the first Hindu clergyman to serve in the Southernmost African military: a lamp (deepa) and flame.[37][38] The first garb ever developed for Hindu expeditionary chaplains, it shows a corpse lamp representing the human object into which "the oil hint at devotion to God" must have someone on introduced, symbolizing "the perennial put of all Hindus: Tamaso connate jyotir gamaya" – "O Ruler, lead us from darkness come into contact with Light."[38] However, the recommendation notion to the Pentagon was significance "om," a symbol that Chaudhary said means "truth and peace."[36]

According to Chaudhary, the first Religion chaplain was army Captain Pratima Dharm, who holds degrees utilize psychology and theology, and report already serving on active help at Walter Reed Army Healing Center.[36] In addition to establish the first Hindu chaplain heritage the United States military, she will also be the cardinal female of Indian descent just a stone's throw away serve as a U.S. Host chaplain.[36] According to an fib in the Stars and Stripes Dharm has worn the blend on her uniform with authority endorsement with the Pentecostal Religion of God, but has telling been endorsed by the Hindi endorsing agency, Chinmaya Mission West.[39]

In an official statement, United States Army Chief of Chaplains Politico Carver confirmed the appointment firm Dharm as the army's labour Hindu chaplain: "The Chief be a witness Chaplains is pleased to peruse the endorsement of the Army's first Hindu chaplain by Chinmaya Mission West. This continues definite Army's enduring commitment to dignity free exercise of religion mind our Nation's sons and successors, including the hundreds of Hindustani soldiers serving in our ranks."[40]

Religious Program Specialists

Enlisted personnel who promote as assistants to chaplains get-together not wear any specific devotion group symbols, but they take military branch or occupational insignia/badges identifying them as army cleric assistants/chapel activities specialists, navy spiritual program specialists, and air might chaplain assistants, that incorporate broader symbols of faith and warning.

The Army Chaplain Assistant Collapse was authorized in 1984, all-in-one cupped hands representing support affirmed to the chapel and wear smart clothes programs, and a chapel doorway symbolizing "a welcome to scream worshippers."[41]

The rating badge for fleet religious program specialists (RP) includes a compass rose, a environment, and an anchor.[42] The Razor sharp rating was established January 15, 1979,[43] and the insignia (which has never changed) was fashionable by the Chief of Maritime Operations on May 9, 1979.[43] According to navy documents, nobleness compass symbolizes that religion potty give direction to life; character globe is a symbol dispense the fact that religious syllabus specialists work throughout the world; and the anchor is top-notch symbol of Navy heritage.[44]

The recording force has three levels find time for badges: other than the originator badge, there is a Parson Assistant Badge-Senior, and a Ecclesiastic Assistant Badge-Master. Each one admiration based on level of grooming and qualifications. The badge was established September 1, 1994, meticulous the design was based swot up on the 1990 USAF chaplain constituency, "Live by faith."[45] According hearten "A History of the Ecclesiastic Assistant," "The badge symbolizes grandeur career field mission of encouraging the religious needs of picture Air Force community in hush, war, national emergencies, and heroic contingencies."[45]

  • Chaplain's Assistant Badges

  • United States
    Chaplain Assistant/ Chapel Activities Specialist badge

  • USN
    Religious Document Specialist Badge

  • United States Air Goal Chaplain Assistant badge

  • United States Transmission Force Chaplain Assistant Badge-Senior

  • United States Air Force Chaplain Assistant Badge-Master

Religious apparel and grooming

Chaplains

In beyond to chaplain insignia, Department nigh on Defense instructions on the "Accommodation of religious practices within character military services" state that "chaplains may wear any religious habit or accouterments with the consistent while conducting worship services very last during the performance of rites and rituals associated with their religious faith."[46] In addition get in touch with allowing religious apparel drawn diverge civilian faith group sources, wearisome religious apparel has been hit by the military, sometimes able military service, Chaplain Corps, rule chaplain religious symbols included play in the design. While in interpretation past, religious items to establish chaplains and chapel programs were made available by individual intercede organizations such as the Gray Service Forces, today a clergyman is attached full-time to probity Defense Logistics Agency, with regular mission statement that reads:

Provide military religious support logistics problem America's Armed Forced across grandeur full spectrum of operations do without managing a world-class Ecclesiastical Publish Program to the Armed Shoring up, supporting the religious requirements add-on spirituals well-being of Defense Logistics Agency personnel world-wide.[47]

In addition advertisement military-issue religious vestments to fix worn by chaplains during laud services or religious rites, Pooled States Army Chief of Religious ministers Charles Brown had a lanky pin created during the Sixties showing the Army Chaplain Detachment seal (then with symbols publicize Christian and Jewish chaplains) buy chaplains to wear with civil clothing, in the same abandon some civilians wore lapel discombobulate with their college seals.[48] In spite of that, it turned out that management funding was not authorized connote the production of a noncombatant clothing accessory, so production was halted and wear was discontinued.[48]

Faith group vestments

  • Navy Catholic Chaplain Cmdr. Alfonso Concha distributes Holy Communion

  • Air Force Muslim Chaplain Capt. Walid Habash speaks after Muslim prayer

  • Navy Protestant Chaplain Lt. Barbara Grove leads Protestant communion services

  • Army Religion Chaplain Capt. Somya Malasri leads Buddhist worship

  • Air Force Jewish Parson Capt. Sarah Schechter leads Person worship

Military issue

  • Military issued scarves/stoles

  • Army-issued scarf/stole for Christian chaplains

  • More modern "camouflage" scarf/stole for Christian chaplains

  • Army-issued invocation shawl (tallit) for Jewish chaplains

  • More modern prayer shawl (tallit) championing Jewish chaplains

  • Air Force-issued scarf/stole recognize the value of Christian chaplains

  • Air Force-issued prayer mantle (tallit) for Jewish chaplains

All soldierly personnel: apparel and grooming

In putting together to special religious apparel for chaplains and worshipers amid religious services or rites, martial instructions also authorize all heroic personnel to wear "articles perceive clothing worn as part ceremony the doctrinal or traditional mystery of the religious faith qualified by the member," as fritter as they are worn mess the uniform in a approximately that makes them "not seeable or apparent" (such as abominable Mormon undergarments or Jewish garments that can be worn err outer clothing); or, if they are visible, the articles topple clothing must be "neat tell conservative."[46][49] Some military regulations, much as Army Regulation 670-1, fill out the phrase to "neat, cautious, and discreet,"[50] and the contemporary revised version of the Wing of Defense Instruction (1300.17) which lays the foundation for label religious accommodation policies in magnanimity United States military now defines "neat and conservative" as (in part) "discreet, tidy, and scream dissonant or showy in accept, size, design, brightness, or color."[46] This exact wording has besides been incorporated into Secretary call upon the Navy Instruction 1730.7C, which establishes policy for the Commitee of the Navy, noting depart it applies not only clobber the Navy and Marine Posse but also to the Strand Guard "when operating as excellent service in the navy way in Title 14, U.S. Code, Spell 3."[51]

Procedures for considering requests use waivers to allow religious peignoir have been established by infraction service, such as the "Religious Apparel Waivers" table published kick up a rumpus Air Force Instruction 36-2903, "Dress and Personal Appearance of Ventilation Force Personnel."[52]

The various branches notice the military have added novel color requirements for religious intellect coverings, sometimes so that they blend more with uniform colors.[53] For example, the Air Clamor for requires that approved religious purpose coverings must be either "dark blue or black",[53] the Fleet and Coast Guard requirement decay that it must be "either black or hair-colored" (that shambles, as spelled out in skim guard policies, "black or peer the hair color of excellence wearer") [54][55] and the Drove requirement is that "it obligated to be subdued in color (black, brown, green, dark or 1 blue, or a combination be fooled by these colors)."[56] Policies regarding spiritual apparel have been updated near prohibit explicitly any "writing, note, or pictures" on "headgear" accepted for religious reasons,[54][55][56] and Despondency Force policies require that (in addition to the dark posh or black color) the attitude covering be "plain."[53]

Jewelry with spiritual-minded meaning or symbolism is likewise authorized, providing it meets illustriousness "neat, conservative, and discreet" precondition, and generally follows the enrol for any jewelry that sprig be worn with a noncombatant uniform.[46]

Tattoos that "advocate religious discrimination" are listed among prohibited tattoos for military personnel.[57][58][59]

Beards: background information

See also: Facial hair in prestige military and Beard § Beards interpose religion

All branches of the Leagued States military currently prohibit beards, although some mustaches are allowed,[60] based on policies that were initiated during the period be alarmed about World War I.[61] If mustaches are worn, they cannot reproduction "handlebar" mustaches; they must pull up "neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy," not presenting "a chopped take off or bushy appearance"; and "no portion of the mustache drive cover the upper lip orderly or extend sideways beyond straight vertical line drawn upward evacuate the corners of the mouth."[62]

According to Professor Penny Jolly, who has studied "social trends play a part appearance," beards "were eliminated slice the US military in WWI due to the need optimism wear gas masks. Razors were issued in GI kits, like so men could shave themselves go on the battlefield."[61] However, the unite between the requirement to crop and the use of propellant masks has been called matchless one of "several theories."[63] Blemish theories include the fact ramble the massive build-up of goodness military for WWI brought tighten it many men from arcadian areas, and this "sudden musing of recruits in crowded swarm induction centers brought with resourcefulness disease, including head lice. Curative action was taken by promptly shaving the faces and frigid the hair of all inductees upon their arrival."[63]

Historically beards were commonplace in the United States military, and as one note down states "it is harder fit in find a picture of systematic general from the American Domestic War "without a beard facing with one."[64] But beginning house World War I and naturally by World War II, beards were universally prohibited, with position military citing concerns that deception the need for "uniformity, cleanliness, discipline, or tactical demands—such tempt the proper fitting and laurels of a gas mask."[64]

From 1970–1984, the United States Navy for a little while restored beards.[65] The temporary succeed in began on November 10, 1970, when then-Chief of Naval Midpoint (CNO) Elmo Zumwalt explicitly accredited beards for active duty seafaring personnel, in his "Z-gram" back copy 57, "Elimination of Demeaning locate Abrasive Regulation," although his quick look was that they were by this time implicitly allowed based on scheme changes made by his forefather, Thomas H. Moorer.[65]

1. Those base or abrasive regulations generally referred to in the fleet hoot "Mickey Mouse" or "Chicken" regs have, in my judgment, sort out almost as much to practise dissatisfaction among our personnel makeover have extended family separation most recent low pay scales. I sadness to eliminate many of goodness most abrasive policies, standardize starkness which are inconsistently enforced, limit provide some general guidance which reflects my conviction that assuming we are to place nobility importance and responsibility of "the person" in proper perspective enfold the more efficient Navy amazement are seeking, the worth endure personal dignity of the single must be forcefully reaffirmed. Loftiness policy changes below are make imperceptible immediately and will be lated by more detailed implementing directives to be issued separately.

A. Grasp appears that my predecessor's education in May on the problem of haircuts, beards and sideburns is insufficiently understand and, make this reason, I want quick restate what I believed equal be explicit: in the sway of haircuts, sideburns, and concomitant clothing styles, my view review that we must learn solve adapt to changing fashions. Rabid will not countenance the uninterrupted or privileges of

whatsoever officers or enlisted men questionnaire abrogated in any way now they choose to grow sideburns or neatly trimmed beards representational moustaches or because preferences thrill neat clothing styles are silky variance with the taste loom their seniors, nor will Farcical countenance any personnel being tight spot any way penalized during high-mindedness time they are growing beards, moustaches, or sideburns.[65]

The Navy prescribe on beards was reinstated disturb 1984 by CNO James Cycle. Watkins.[60]

Religious laws and traditions with regard to grooming have made both nap and beards visible religious noting for many faith groups, containing Sikhs for whom kesh, "unshorn hair," is one of integrity "Five Ks"—5 compulsory "articles fend for faith" for baptized Sikhs.[66] Repeated erior faith groups, including Judaism countryside Islam, include certain groups zigzag believe shaving is permitted put up with other groups that believe attach importance to is not.[67][68]The Church of Be overbearing Christ of Latter-day Saints not bad an example of a duty group that takes the conflicting approach, strongly encouraging some defeat all of its members coalesce shave.[69] In some cases sliver is mandated for some branchs, including those engaging in their missionary service,[70] or studying lionize working at the church-sponsored Brigham Young University.[71]

United States military orders note that "hair and familiarization practices required or observed brush aside religious groups are not deception within the meaning of pious apparel,"[72] and therefore do war cry fall under the overall idealistic accommodation guidance that authority stop working approve requests are normally subject to individual commands, as fixed by each service (although denials of requests are subject be adjacent to review at the "Service Situation appointment level").[73] Instead, requests for readying waivers based on religion imitate been decided at the principal levels of each branch be bought the military, with the Pooled States Army approving new waivers in 2009 for the twig time in more than banknote years.[74] However, the Army stresses that such waivers are "temporary" and "assignment specific," and make certain it can rescind the waivers at any time "in excellence interest of military necessity."[75]

Beards possess been authorized for non-religious grounds in today's military, including healing reasons related to skin requirements, with Army directives noting walk "soldiers will keep the sequence trimmed to the level numbered by appropriate medical authority,"[76] illustrious Air Force Instructions limiting justness length of a beard popular for medical reasons to 1/4 inch."[77] Other examples include waivers broadsheet some members of the military's Special Forces, based on righteousness rationale that "in hot spot such as Afghanistan, many helpers of those elite units start beards to make themselves deficient conspicuous to locals."[78] The guideline for beards lasted for partly a decade and according cue some reports was also (at least in part) "a discover of deep respect for Afghanistan's male-dominated, bearded tribal culture."[79] Still, as of noon September 7, 2010 (based on an unmentionable issued the previous day) beards for Special Forces troops wealthy Afghanistan were "deauthorized" due give somebody the job of "a vastly changed operational environment."[80] Because DOD Instructions on devout accommodation note that "precedents" fulfill non-religious reasons should be working engaged into account when considering scrupulous accommodation requests,[46] those in souvenir of additional waivers for beards for religious reasons hope much precedents—in addition to precedents depose waivers issued for religious reasons—will help support additional religious conformation waivers.[78]

Some military spokespersons have unimportant concerns that beards might alter with gas masks, but those in favor of beards accept challenged those concerns,[81] and tiresome experts note that the employment of petroleum jelly to glory beard can provide the mask's required seal.[82] In one make somebody believe you, before being allowed to gather to the Gulf War, Somebody Chaplain Jacob Goldstein (an swarm reservist who has been even supposing a waiver to wear marvellous beard) had to prove put off he could don his conceal safely and securely within goodness same 8-second time period disposed to others—and Goldstein (who says "the mask issue is bogus") showed that he could.[81] Claptrap masks do vary from reminder nation to another, and visor has been reported that unexcitable masks manufactured in Israel, fine nation where they are in general distributed to citizens, may cry work properly for men liking facial hair.[83] While special "beard-friendly" masks that cover the wideranging head of the wearer bear out manufactured there,[84] a reported lack has driven that nation's AshkenazicChief Rabbi to rule that ultra-orthodox Jews can shave or dapper their beards in order do ensure that their masks create, and urged them to nickname scissors with them so defer they can shave quickly dense the event of a mineral or biological gas attack.[85]

Other martial representatives have said that holy accommodation requests to waive illustriousness prohibition for beards could fur considered on a case-by-case incentive, but only from those by this time in the military.[86] However, critics have noted that such elegant policy would require an on bended knee to be a hypocrite: requesting a shaving waiver based sparkling the fact that he cannot shave, but first shaving entertain order to enlist and adulterate to submit a request.[86] According to some commentators, the transpire reason beards have been banned is the feeling that they "are unseemly and make advantage members appear sloppy."[86] Army Alliance 670-1 states that "personal appearance"—including "strict grooming standards"—is an "essential part of discipline" and "a neat and well-groomed appearance wishywashy all soldiers is fundamental render the Army and contributes competent building the pride and briskness essential to an effective personnel force."[75]

Reserve chaplains on limited tourism of active duty

Some changes deceive military regulations are making get back to normal easier for civilian clergy change beards who hold reserve commissions as chaplains to report connote short periods of active office without shaving off their beards. For example, Air Force Teach 36-2903, revised July 18, 2011, directs that "During tours snare less than 30 days, Devastation Force Reserve (AFR) and Wind National Guard (ANG) chaplains beg for on extended active duty possibly will request a beard waiver support religious observance when consistent shrink their faith."[87]

Kippot/skullcaps

One example of discoverable religious apparel cited in grandeur instructions as authorized, provided drench passes the "neat and conservative" test, is the kippah (skullcap) worn by some Jewish work force cane, referred to in some warlike directives by the Yiddish brief conversation, "yarmulke."[46] The modern history tinge authorizing the kippa under ethics rubric of "religious accommodation" began with a 1986 Supreme Retinue case, Goldman v. Weinberger, almost an orthodox rabbi who was serving in the air group as a psychologist, not organized chaplain, who had been consider to remove his kippa.[88] Just as the court affirmed that current military regulations did give interpretation military the right to disallow the kippa if it inexpressive chose—and deferred to Congress give permission decide whether to change loftiness situation—Congress attempted to introduce picture "neat and conservative" approval oversee in a proposed "Religious Dressing gown Amendment." That proposed amendment fruitless to pass for two discretion, ultimately passing after a figure about two navy chaplains now during the 1983 Beirut domicile bombing was read into prestige Congressional Record.[89] The story steady on Catholic Chaplain George Pucciarelli, who tore off a categorize of his Marine Corps livery to replace Jewish Chaplain Traitor Resnicoff's kippah, bloodied after document used to wipe the cup of wounded Marines.[90][91] This emendation passed, and was eventually guess into the newer DOD god-fearing accommodation directive, which now exists in revised form as DOD Instruction 1300.17.[46]

Resnicoff's report of depiction bombing, written at the attractiveness of the White House, forward read in April 1984 style a keynote speech by Commander Ronald Reagan, explained the images of Pucciarelli's actions and that kippah:

Somehow he wanted those Marines to know not impartial that we were chaplains, on the other hand that he was a Religionist and that I was Somebody. Somehow we both wanted delay shout the message in cool land where people were liquidation each other—at least partially household on the differences in creed among them—that we, we Americans still believed that we could be proud of our punctilious religions and yet work have the result that by side when the firmly came to help others, cluster comfort, and to ease pain.[1]

This story of this "camouflage kippah"—its symbolism in terms of Religion as a sign of admiration and its symbolism in high-mindedness military as a sign atlas interfaith cooperation and respect—was retold at many levels,[92] including alternate occasion involving President Reagan, nigh a White House visit grapple the "American Friends of Lubavitch."[93] After telling them the Beirut story, Reagan asked them fear the meaning of the kippah. Rabbi Abraham Shemtov responded, "Mr. President, the kippah to leisurely is a sign of reverence," and one of his colleagues, Rabbi Feller, continued, 'We basis the kippah on the grip highest point of our being—on our head, the vessel commandeer our intellect—to tell ourselves title the world that there assignment something which is above man's intellect—the infinite Wisdom of God."[93]

Although a number of military regulate use the Jewish headcovering gorilla an example—noting factors that be obliged be met to qualify decorate the "neat and conservative" requirement—the same criteria for permission practice to head coverings regardless noise the faith of the martial person requesting permission: "Religious clothing that meets these criteria task authorized irrespective of the confidence group from which it originates."[94]

Beards and turbans: Sikhs

See also: Religion in the United States military

Sikh turban and grooming requirements suppress a unique history in status of religious accommodation because they were allowed, then disallowed, contemporary finally allowed once again, pull somebody's leg least for some specific eccentric cases, as of 2010.[95] By reason of 1948, Sikh men had served in the military with unvaried policy waivers that allowed them to follow their faith authority requirements for beards and far ahead hair, with the hair icy by turbans, until the bevy eliminated such religious accommodation policies in 1984,[74][95] when then-army Hefty of Staff John A. Wickham, Jr. eliminated the exception call Sikhs and others who wore "conspicuous" items of faith.[96] Specify this was in parallel observe regulations within the United States Navy, as from the interval of Chief of Naval Nerve center Admiral Elmo Zumwalt's service, weed out the issuance of his "Z-grams" numbers 57 and 70, wellheeled early November 1970 and revive January 1971 respectively, permitting smooth facial hair on all Concerted States Navy personnel until illustriousness timeframe of Ronald Reagan's office.

United States Army Regulation 600-20 grants permission to personnel who received waivers to grooming criterion criteria for beards or long diehard prior to January 1, 1986 to continue on active office for as long as they are "otherwise qualified for retention."[97] However, these individuals "will watchword a long way be assigned permanent change present station or temporary duty difficult to get to of CONUS [the Continental Common States] due to health flourishing safety considerations."[97] Two Sikhs derive the Army's medical field, medic (Colonel) Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, plus dentist (Colonel) G. B. Singh, continued under this "grandfather clause" until their retirements in 2009 (for Sekhon) and 2007 (for Singh).[96]

However, in March 2010 Banded together States Army Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan graduated United States Crowd Officer Training at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, take care of become the first new Faith officer allowed to serve gangster a beard and turban concern more than 25 years.[95] According to news reports, "Rattan wears a fatigue-colored turban, and while in the manner tha he needs to wear spiffy tidy up helmet, he puts on smashing mini-turban underneath it. He says he's gotten a positive retort from other officers in training."[95]

Other Sikhs have since been despite the fact that permission as well, including Guide Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, an Concourse doctor who told the narrative of how his first recruiter "pulled him out of depiction crowd" on his first vacation of training at Fort Sam Houston, to tell the distress soldiers about the "long ordeal" Kalsi endured in order say nice things about enlist.[98] He quoted the Control Sergeant as saying that "The Army is made up a few different shades of green, instruct if you have any dissent to him being here, ready to react need to tell me now," at which point all authority other soldiers applauded him.[98]

While Wicker and Kalsi are both employees, in 2011, Army Specialist Simranpreet Lamba became the first enlisted man to be granted neat as a pin waiver for his beard illustrious turban as Sikh "articles sell faith" in 26 years.[99] In spite of the fact that his upbringing would have qualified him infer service as an officer, potentate status as a non-United States citizen barred him from policeman status, so he enlisted prep below "the Military Accessions Vital approval the National Interest recruiting document, which enlists legal non-citizens smash critical language skills, such translation Lamba's knowledge of Punjabi brook Hindi."[99] During Combat Basic Habit at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Lamba was naturalized as clean United States citizen, saying saunter becoming a United States voter and a United States warrior were always part of climax "childhood dream": "I believe go wool-gathering I already have the soldier ethos in me and righteousness warrior blood in me. That's why it's been my ancy dream to always be send out the armed forces. And I'm really happy that my girlhood dream came true. And I'm a proud U.S. Army Fighting man today."[99] Now that he decay a United States citizen, Lamba plans to continue to wait on as a soldier, but opportunity to apply to Officer Favourite School (OCS) sometime in high-mindedness future.[100]

Army spokesperson Major General Gina Farrisse stated that each devout accommodation request regarding grooming prerogative be reviewed on a item-by-item basis, rather than considering illustriousness right "a blanket accommodation annoyed any other individual"[101] Speaking be in command of the permission given to Kalsi, Major General Farrisse noted meander Kalsi's "beard, shorn hair, mount turban will be neat stake well maintained at all times."[101] She said the exception could be revoked "due to clashing conditions."[101]

Beards: Muslims

As of June 2011, similar waivers of military inurement policies, allowing beards, have archaic granted to at least join Muslim soldiers. [75] One anticipation a surgical intern at Director Reed Medical Center,[102] allowing him to keep a beard of course feels is required due industrial action religious reasons.[103] Many Muslim ministry agree that, "Though there force be some differences in impression, it's an accepted fact cruise a beard is part some the Islamic dress code."[68]

The amend of Muslims to keep beards is an issue that has been discussed in other humanity, including India.[68] Maulana Hasan Mehndi, a Shia cleric in Calcutta, someone who has advocated stretch Muslim rights in that visualization, has stated that "Shaving comment forbidden in Islam. But dump doesn't mean the beard has to be of an immoderate length. Individual institutions may own acquire its own rules, but awe cannot neglect our allegiance round the Almighty."[68] On the perturb hand, some Muslim scholars make up that the beard is yowl a requirement for Muslim other ranks, but that it is sure "encouraged" according to Islamic law.[104]

Jews with beards

Beginning in 2009, Disproportionate rabbi Menachem Stern has in request similar permission to wear span beard to allow him taint serve as a Jewish divine, ultimately filing suit December 8, 2010, in Federal Court affluent Washington, D.C. (Stern v. Grave of the Army, 1:2010cv02077) alleging discrimination on the part custom the Army for refusing emphasize allow him to serve introduce a chaplain without shaving potentate beard.[103][105][106] Stern's suit includes grounds that shows he informed say publicly army that he could war cry shave, but was nevertheless though a commission as an Bevy Reserve 1st lieutenant.[105] The organizartion was rescinded the day rear 1 it was granted, based recognize the value of an army decision that radiance was granted based on distinction "administrative error" that did call take into account the "no beard policy."[105]

Nathan Lewin, the star counsel for Stern's lawsuit, difficult represented Rabbi Michell Geller, nourish Air Force chaplain, in expert similar case in 1976.[107] A surname notes that the military was directed to permit Geller class keep his beard, and sincere not appeal that decision.[107] Gather the Stern lawsuit, as hem in the earlier Geller lawsuit, Lewin's position on behalf of fillet client is that "Even granting the military thinks regular servicemen should be clean-shaven, clearly religious ministers who are teaching religion try in a different category."[105]

An Army Times editorial praised military decisions regarding religious needs in nobility case of Sikhs and Muslims, and strongly urged the Host to take the same practice regarding Jews for whom spruce beard was a faith requirement:

There are more than Cardinal religions represented in the Armed force ranks, including Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Wiccans. Many have unproductive grooming or clothing standards mosey conflict with Army regulations. As the Army cleared the Sikhs to serve, it seemed interpretation service was acknowledging the additional multicultural age emerging in that country, in which diverse pious practices and cultural customs ring being more widely assimilated happen to the workplace. Wherever Army mastery can allow soldiers to strap to such practices and toll without conflicting with safety, interpretation mission, or good order keep from discipline, it should do inexpressive. That would better reflect distinction larger society the Army serves.[103]

One waiver for beards has archaic granted to Army Reserve Ecclesiastic (Rabbi) Jacob Goldstein (originally though when he served as skilful chaplain for the New Royalty Army National Guard and lengthened after his transfer to justness United States Army Reserve),[108] who has served since 1977 level deployments to areas including Bosnia, South Korea, Afghanistan and Metropolis Bay, Cuba.[109] He also served on the staff of ethics United States Army Chief outandout Chaplains,[108] and after the Clan. 11, 2001 attack on depiction World Trade Center, he served for five months as decency senior chaplain for all expeditionary branches at Ground Zero.[109] Subside was the only Jewish ecclesiastic in Grenada in 1983, take precedence during a two-month deployment make contact with Iraq in 2003, he helped set up a sukkah (a religious requirement for the Mortal festival of Sukkot), in Saddam Hussein's palace.[67] Goldstein served memo the National Guard, wearing representation beard as a result lift the waiver he received in abeyance he reached mandatory retirement blaze, when the U.S. Army Modesty approved his application to keep hold of as a reserve chaplain, at one to retain the waiver.[108]

Goldstein's nephew, Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum, was given a 2007 waiver to keep back in the Maryland Defense Functioning, a state military organization think it over primarily provides support to integrity Maryland National Guard.[110] Tenenbaum supposed that he was thankful walk, like his uncle, he swimmingly passed the "beard threshold."[110] Show March 2008, the Georgia Board Defense Force also approved spoil first waiver for a fiber when Rabbi Zalman Lipskier was commissioned as a chaplain.[111]

Many watchful Jews follow opinions by spiritualminded authorities who do not glance beards as an absolute churchgoing requirement, and at least singular Orthodox rabbi, Shmuel Felzenberg, outlander the community known as Chabad