Sikh student sues U.S. Army, says ROTC enlistment blocked because of his faith

(CNN) -- A Sikh student at Hofstra University filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the United States Army, claiming the service refused to grant him a religious accommodation that would allow him to enlist in his school's ROTC program without shaving his beard, cutting his hair and removing his turban, according to court documents.

When Iknoor Singh requested a religious exemption from the military's grooming policies to enlist as an ROTC cadet in April 2013, his request was first denied on the grounds that his noncompliance would have "an adverse impact on the Army's readiness, unit cohesion, standards, health, safety, or discipline," court documents said.

The Army subsequently adjusted its decision, saying Singh could only seek an exemption after he was enlisted as a cadet -- creating a catch-22 in which Singh would have to violate his faith to be able to apply for a religious accommodation, the documents said.

"I couldn't believe the military was asking me to make the impossible decision of choosing between the country I love and my faith," Singh said in a blog post on the ACLU's website.

So the US army should change their policy to accommodate him ?
If he wants in the Army so bad he should shave his beard , get rid of the Turban and have a shower.
Why would he want to join a killing machine  ? Maybe he should go back to Punjab and fight for a free Khalistan

Wow I can see where that would definitely a problem, but if its about love of country, there are other avenues to serve ones countries where you wouldn't have to shave your hair or go against your faith. The Armies policies have been in place, since he inception of the US whre almost every one was a christian, and shaving your head or trimming your beard wouldn't be a big deal religiously, I think he should just give up on the ROTC, and try something else.