A Sikh army recruit, Jaskirat Singh, has successfully graduated from the US Marine Corps recruit training while wearing his turban, beard, and unshorn hair, marking a milestone for religious freedom in the American military. Jaskirat fought a two-year legal battle alongside Aekash Singh and Milaap Singh Chahal after the Marine Corps initially proposed an accommodation that would have required Sikhs to remove their turbans and beards during boot camp.
The recruits argued that this violated their religious beliefs and ultimately threatened national security. In a historic move, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals granted a preliminary injunction last December, allowing Jaskirat to attend recruit training with his articles of faith. This case represents a step forward in ensuring that individuals of all faiths can pursue military careers while upholding their religious beliefs.