Simratpal "Simmer" Singh is a practicing Sikh United States Army officer and combat veteran. He won a federal lawsuit, Singh v. Carter,[1] against the U.S. Department of Defense[2] to be allowed to wear a religious beard and turban in uniform.[3]

He graduated from West Point in 2010 and chose, while he was there, to shave in order to follow their rules and attend West Point. He completed Army Ranger School and a tour in Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star medal.[4][5] In 2016 he won a court case against the U.S. Department of Defense and gained permission to wear a religious beard and turban in uniform.[6] Capt. Singh asked the Army in October 2015 to allow him to wear his beard and turban. They granted him temporary accommodation in December 2015. When the accommodation was about to expire in February 2016, the Army told Captain Singh to report for a series of tests.[7] Singh sued on the grounds that other soldiers were not required to do similar activities and that the test was religious discrimination.[3] In 2016 he won a permanent accommodation, making him the first active duty Sikh soldier to be approved to dress with his religious beliefs while in active duty.[5]

In January 2017, the Army issued new regulations stating that all Sikh soldiers can wear their religious articles while serving.[1]

Singh is currently in a staff position at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.[5]

Singh's great grandfather served in World War I for the British Indian Army.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Singh v. Carter". Becket. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  2. ↑ "Sikh-American Military Officer Files Lawsuit to Serve with Turban, Beard". NBC News. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  3. 1 2 Philipps, Dave (2016-04-01). "Sikh Captain Says Keeping Beard and Turban Lets Him Serve U.S. and Faith". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  4. 1 2 "A Sikh soldier's holy fight – Story of Captain Simratpal Singh". SBS Your Language. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  5. 1 2 3 "U.S. Army allows first Sikh-American to serve with turban, beard". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  6. ↑ "US court favours Sikh religious rights in armed forces". Hindustan Times. 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  7. ↑ "Sikh captain sues US army over 'targeted' grooming tests". Hindustan Times. 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2020-06-16.


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