In need of personnel with his language skills, the US Army provided a religious exception to Simran Lamba, who was allowed to keep his beard and turban while going through basic training despite those items being prohibited. Graduating yesterday at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Lamba became the country's first Sikh enlisted soldier. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to serve in the military, he will serve as a combat medic. The State has more:
A native of New Delhi , India, Lamba also became a U.S. citizen.
“It is a dream come true to be in uniform and treated like any other soldier,” said Lamba. “If I can do it, maybe others can do it too.”
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His graduation ceremony was attended by one of only two Sikh officers in the Army — Capt. Kamal Kalsi, an Army doctor stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and a representative of The Sikh Coalition, which is seeking to overturn the Army’s restrictions against turbans and beards and assisted Lamba in getting his exemption.
“There is still a policy change that we are seeking,” said coalition representative Amardeep Singh. “We have the world’s greatest military tradition, and it’s a shame we can’t serve here. But we’re hopeful.”
Congratulations to Simran and a big thank you to all servicemen and servicewomen today on Veterans Day!
