Recently a new row has sparked over US Marines reluctantly letting a Sikh officer wear a turban. The officer may sue marines as he’s unsatisfied over the conditions that marines has imposed on wearing turbans.
According to a report, the US Marines will only let him adorn the turban during normal duty and not during deployment at conflict zones or during the ceremony. This poses a challenge as the Sikh officer is a combat arms officer in the Marines.
Reportedly, only 100 Sikhs currently serve in the US Army and Air Force. The number of Sikhs serving in US Marines may just be a handful as it’s regarded as the most elite group of force in the US.
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Often in Hollywood films, the glory and grit of the Marines is shown when the accomplish a mission. The smallest branch of US defence forces is arguably the most elite one, housing about 1,85,000 personnel. It’s also a branch that doesn’t come into the gamut of the laws of the US Army and is a separate branch altogether.
Recently a Sikh man was finally allowed to wear his turban after years of serving in the Marines. However, the agreement came with conditions, and the Sikh man just may sue the Marines.
The Facts of the Matter
After serving 5 years in the US Marines, First Lt. Sukhbir Toor finally got to pair his Marine Corps uniform with his turban.
Speaking to New York Times, Sukhbir felt happy on being allowed to do so and was quoted saying, “I finally don’t have to pick which life I want to commit to, my faith or my country,” Lieutenant Toor, 26, said in an interview. “I can be who I am and honor both sides.”
To give our readers perspective, never before in the history has a Sikh man been allowed to adorn a turban. This means that Lt. Sukhbir broke a 246-year-old streak of the US Marines, which is known for not changing rules.
While Sikh officers in Britain, Australia have always been allowed to wear the turban, the Marine Corps made the change for the first time in its history.
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The Marine’s Conditions, and The Case that May Follow
While the decision of letting the officer honor his culture is a welcome one, there are a few conditions imposed on him. According to reports, Lt. Sukhbir can only wear the turban during normal duty.
He will not be able to do so when he’s deployed or when he’s in a uniform at a ceremony where the masses will be seeing the marine corps officers.
This condition has not gone well with Toor, who is a a combats officer and will be actively deployed in conflict areas for the most part. The imposition has forced him to appeal against the decision, and if he is not allowed to wear the turban at all times, he may sue the corps.
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Who is First Lt. Sukhbir Toor – the Sikh man Who May Sue the Marines?
26-year-old Sukhbir is the son of two immigrants. Born and brought up in Washington, USA, he saw his father wear a turban and keep a small blade. The blade is a representation of the Sikh culture where they represent being virtuous and the defenders.
After completing his college back in 2017, Toor joined the Marines. He knew beforehand that for a while, he would need to give up on turban to actively participate and serve.
For years, he abided by the rules as he shaved and wore the cap without the turban.
When he was due to a promotion, he decided to write to his superiors to seek permission to wear turban.
What Do the Marines Say in the Matter?
A New York Times report quoted Colonel Frushour, the spokeswoman of the division saying, “Marines represent the entirety of the Marine Corps. Therefore, we strive to present a neutral image to the public.”
Further, the spokeswoman also said that in order for the Marines to create squads that will be deployed in combats, a strong bond is a necessity. “Uniformity is one of the tools the Corps uses to forge that bond. What the Corps is protecting is its ability to win on the battlefield, so that the Constitution can remain the law of the land,” she added.
