Captain Kalsi, a doctor, and Captain Rattan, a dentist, were part of an Army program that pays for medical education in return for military service. Both were recruited to join the army within the last 8 years. At the time of their enrollment, military recruiters assured both men that their turbans, unshorn hair and beards – mandatory articles of their Sikh faith - “would not be a problem.”
Captain Kalsi and Captain Rattan maintained their turbans throughout graduate school, during specialized Army training, at Army ceremonies, and in Army medical facilities. Four years later, just months before the men are due to begin active duty, the Army is now telling the two Sikhs that they will have to forsake their religious practices to serve.
“I was shocked to learn that the Army would go back on its promise, and expect me to choose between my faith or my service to my country,” said Captain Kalsi. “There is nothing about my religion that stops me from doing my job. I know I can serve well without compromising my faith.”
In 1981, the U.S. Army banned “conspicuous” religious articles of faith for its service members. However, Sikhs and other soldiers of faith who were part of the army before the 1981 rule change were allowed to stay. The following are stories of six Sikh Americans who have served or continue to serve in the U.S. Army with their turbans and unshorn beards. These six men are living proof that Sikhs can serve in this country’s military without having to compromise their faith.
Bhagat Singh Thind was recruited on July 22, 1918 by the US Army to fight in World War I. Months later, Bhagat Singh, a turban wearing Sikh, was promoted to the rank of an Acting Sergeant. Although Sikhs at that time were officially referred to as "Hindoo", Bhagat Singh kept all articles of his faith, competently completing all duties of a soldier. Bhagat Singh received an honorable discharge on December 16th, 1918 with a character designation of "excellent".
Back to Top
Colonel Gopal Singh Khalsa joined the U.S. Army in 1976 as a Private, and served in the Special Forces Unit for 10 years on Parachute Status, as a Battalion Commander overseeing an 800-person intelligence group, and also received a Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster Award, amongst many other honors. He is a graduate of the Army Officer Candidate School in Georgia, and was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 2004. Colonel Khalsa currently remains in the reserve command, and has therefore served in the U.S. Army for 33 years.
Back to Top
Colonel Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, a medical doctor, served in the army from 1984 to 2009. During his 25 years of commissioned service, Colonel Sekhon was stationed in multiple cities around the country. During the First Persian Gulf War, he was called to active duty and served stateside as a doctor at the United States Army Hospital in California. He rose through the ranks to Colonel and was given a Battalion Commander position through which he oversaw a unit of 600-700 soldiers. Before ending his career, he was decorated with various awards including a Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and an Army Flight Surgeon Badge. During his time of service, Colonel Sekhon’s articles of faith never impeded his success. His Sikh identity never interfered with his ability to create strong relationships with his fellow service members.
Back to Top
Colonel G.B. Singh enlisted as a dentist in the U.S. Army in 1979 and served until 2007. During his 28 year tenure, he was awarded several honors including the (A) Prefix, the highest award a medical professional can receive while in the U.S. Army. Colonel Singh was stationed in several areas in the U.S. as well as Korea. Colonel Singh recalls the camaraderie and life-lasting bonds he forged with the members of his unit. He remains in contact with many of them. His articles of faith never precluded him from creating strong relationships within the Army, and his superiors never treated him differently.
Back to Top
Sergeant Sevak Singh Kroesen enlisted in the U.S. Army reserves in 1976 and was attached to the Signal Company, 11th Special Forces Group after which he successfully completed airborne (paratrooper) and Radio Teletype Transmission Operator training. He then completed his Special Forces Qualification Courses and became a Special Forces Communications Sergeant. He completed this rigorous training, and his Sikh articles of faith were never a hindrance to his service. Sergeant Kroesen subsequently completed schools, training, and missions around the world all with honor and distinction. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1991.
Back to Top
Army Sergeant Kirnbir Grewal served in the U.S. Army from 1977-1984. He entered the Army as a Private and left at the E6 level as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Non-Commissioned Officer (Staff Sergeant). During his tenure, his Sikh articles of faith were never an issue. While in Germany, he taught companies how to survive a nuclear and biological warfare attack using protective gear.
Back to Top
Major Parbhur Singh Brar is an ophthalmologist who served in the U.S. from December 1978 to October 1981. He was commissioned as a Reserve Officer, but then moved to Active Duty and was stationed at Ft. Eustis in Newport News, Virginia. Major Brar’s Sikh articles of faith never stopped him from performing his duties, nor did they preclude him from creating strong relationships with his unit or supervisors during his tenure with the Army.
Back to Top
View a new video on Sikhs in the military!
