Author Topic: Sikh Soldiers In US Army (Read 8968 times)

Kudrat Kaur · « **on:** April 15, 2010, 07:24:48 PM »

SIKH SOLDIERS ARE ALLOWED TO RETIAN THEIR ARTICLES OF FAITH IN US ARMY...
For the first time in 23 years, the U.S. Army is allowing a pair of Sikh Soldiers to keep their hair and beard intact and wear a turban.

More than 60 years ago, President Harry Truman desegregated the U.S. armed forces, declaring "there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion or national origin."

But during those same six decades, the Army's policy and how it was implemented changed from time to time.

From 1948 to 1984, men of the Sikh religion were permitted to serve while maintaining their articles of faith. In 1984, Gen. John A. Wickham Jr., then Chief of Staff of the Army, eliminated the exception for Sikhs and others who wore "conspicuous" items of faith.

Capt. (Dr.) Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, and Capt. (Dr.) Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a doctor, were assured by their recruiters at the time of enlistment several years ago that their articles of faith wouldn't pose a problem. But after completing four years of studies, both men were told to remove their turbans and cut their hair and beards for active duty.

It took action by several Sikh organizations and a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates, signed by 43 members of the House of Representatives and six U.S. senators, to change the Army's mind.Now Rattan has completed the nine-week Basic Officer Leadership Course at Camp Bullis, Texas, March 19, and graduated with his class at Fort Sam Houston, March 22. He'll report to Fort Drum in upstate New York April 12 for an assignment as a dentist.

To put their faith into perspective, there are 25 million Sikhs worldwide, making it the fifth largest religion after Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism, and has been in existence for more than 500 years.rganizations like the Sikh Coalition, which has offices in New York and San Francisco, were founded in response to bias and prejudice against Sikhs in the aftermath of 9/11.

During World War I, Bhagat Singh Thind was the only Sikh Soldier in the U.S. Army to serve in combat duty. More than 80,000 Sikh soldiers died fighting for the Allied Forces during the World Wars. Today, Sikhs serve in the militaries of India, England, Canada, Austria and the United Nations, among others.

I already have a responsibility to my faith and I have taken on this additional responsibility of being an Army officer," the 31-year-old captain added. "I get up at 3 a.m. every morning - while others are sleeping until 5 a.m. - to try and groom myself so the standards of the military are being met.

(Capt.Tejdeep Singh Ratan in pictures)

Punjabi Janta Forums - Janta Di Pasand · « **on:** April 15, 2010, 07:24:48 PM »

Jatt Yamla · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2010, 08:10:58 PM »

Wooow thanksss for Sharing with US....nice topic...

Jhanda_Amli · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2010, 09:06:58 PM »

Thanks for SHaring ji :happy:

- i think Billu also posted it before .. But always good to know the achivement about Sikhs

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2010, 10:58:41 PM »

Quote from: →ੴ ਯਮਲਾ ਜੱਟ ੴ← on April 15, 2010, 08:10:58 PM

Wooow thanksss for Sharing with US....nice topic...

u r more than welcomeji...

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2010, 11:26:11 PM »

Quote from: Jhanda Amli on April 15, 2010, 09:06:58 PM

Thanks for SHaring ji :happy:

- i think Billu also posted it before .. But always good to know the achivement about Sikhs

THANKS DASAN LAYEE...CHALO HOR ACHIEVEMENTS ADD KAR DENDE AA....

=D>Two sikh colonels of US ARMY

1. COLONEL SEKHON

2.COLONEL GB SINGH

=D>Air Force

HARSIMRAN KAUR GILL
One of the first women of East Indian descent to have been commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

=D>Militaray Academy[/b]
RAVI SINGH
The first Sikh to wear a turban in a USA military academy.

=D>Army Reserves

DR. TRILOK SINGH PUNIANI
Joined the U.S Army Reserves in 1999

NOW WAIT FOR NEXT ONE... :hehe:

[/b]

Grenade Singh · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2010, 12:20:24 AM »

I like your second post, Kudrat. Informative.

sUlTaNpUrIyA cHeEmA · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2010, 02:44:25 AM »

Quote from: →ੴ ਯਮਲਾ ਜੱਟ ੴ← on April 15, 2010, 08:10:58 PM

Wooow thanksss for Sharing with US....nice topic...

YAMLEYA THAT GUY FROM SAN ANTONIO...HE IS FIRST GUY WHO FROM SAN ANTONIO..HAUHAUAH HAIL TEXASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

TheStig · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:47:52 AM »

nice post thanks for sharing
Its always good to see something different

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:06:36 PM »

Quote from: ©o∂€л@M€47 on April 16, 2010, 07:47:52 AM

nice post thanks for sharing
Its always good to see something different

My Pleasure....

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:09:53 PM »

Quote from: Grenade Singh on April 16, 2010, 12:20:24 AM

I like your second post, Kudrat. Informative.

Thanks...Dhann bhag sade tusi pasand (like) kittaa.... 8->

cнιяρу νιвєѕ ツ · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:12:13 PM »

nice topic sis

Jhanda_Amli · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:13:16 PM »

Second Post is really nice ji :)

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2010, 05:58:23 PM »

Quote from: Jhanda Amli on April 16, 2010, 07:13:16 PM

Second Post is really nice ji :)

Quote from: αηкнι ∂нєє ѕαя∂αя ∂ι on April 16, 2010, 07:12:13 PM

nice topic sis

Dhanwaad ji Ankhi Sweetie te Jhanda Amliji...

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2010, 07:43:30 PM »

Some more pics of NewYork City Celebrating Sikh Soldiers In US Army...

1.Captains Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi & Tejdeep Singh Rattan Honored

Captains Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi & Tejdeep Singh Rattan, the first Sikhs in more than two decades to be accommodated to serve with articles of faith, were recognized at a City Hall event in NYC.

2. Council Member Dromm Comments on the Strength of America's Diversity

City Council Member Daniel Dromm
"Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan has made not only Sikhs proud but all Americans. Captain Rattan, Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, and those who follow their path should not have to compromise their faith to serve their country."

3. Congresswoman Maloney, A Strong Supporter of Religious Diversity

Deleted User · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2010, 07:48:02 PM »

wowww nycc

ஜღ RaJღஜ · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2010, 03:24:03 PM »

nice post thanks for sharing and Second Post is really nice..puri info de ditti tuc..gud job

🚜 Zimidaar 🚜 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2010, 03:31:54 PM »

=D> =D> =D> =D> :hug: :hug: thanks for sharing...u rock :pjrocks: :pjrocks:

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #17 on:** May 04, 2010, 05:15:57 PM »

Thanks Titli Sweetie, Raggiji and Ranjhaji..bus ji tuhade sarian di encouragement aaji... :happy:

So here is new addition for today...RANBIR KAUR FIRST INDIAN AND SIKH TOO JOINED US NATIONAL GUARD FORCES...

Ranbir Kaur was the first Sikh woman to join the US armed forces in 2003. She went on a one-and-a-half-year mission to Afghanistan. She had joined the US National Guard at the age of 17. She was born in Nijjran village of Jalandhar district, Punjab, the young fighter reached the US as a seven-year-old after her father Mahan Singh, pursuing the American dream, secured a green card in 1990.

She was brought up in an isolated town called Earlimart, in California, her brush with the uniform dates back to 2001 when she was a freshman (Grade IX) in high school at Delano, which was the closest city.

During the 2005 Katrina hurricane in New Orleans, the devout Sikh was instrumental in the recovery of the Guru Granth Sahib after the New Orleans gurudwara was submerged. United Sikhs, an organisation, had sought her assistance and Ranbir got everybody moving after she announced that the living Guru of the Sikhs was under water. Amid random shootings, air force rescue experts David Cruz and Tom Bausmas rescued the Guru Granth Sahib in an operation that lasted 22 hours.

THANKS...

Jatt Yamla · « **Reply #18 on:** May 04, 2010, 07:10:16 PM »

Thanksss kudgrat ji for sharin this wid us .....I'm proud to be sikh...

Kudrat Kaur · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2010, 07:13:31 PM »

Quote from: →ੴ ਯਮਲਾ ਜੱਟ ੴ← on May 04, 2010, 07:10:16 PM

Thanksss kudgrat ji for sharin this wid us .....I'm proud to be sikh...

Pleasure is all mine Yamlaji.. :happy:

Author Topic: Sikh Soldiers In US Army (Read 8968 times)

Punjabi Janta Forums - Janta Di Pasand

Related Topics

Who's Online

Recent Posts