From @Naureenksingh, USAF. #sisterhood #womenvets "In 1979, a young man who had recently immigrated to the USA started an application to join the U.S. Army with his turban and beard. He believed his application would be rejected. Somehow, the cards lined up and he was
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offered to join the Army as an officer,
with his turban and beard intact. He thought of it as a good experience for a few years, and had every intention of leaving soon after. But when the U.S. Army changed it’s dress and appearance standards in the 1980s, 2/6
with his turban and beard intact. He thought of it as a good experience for a few years, and had every intention of leaving soon after. But when the U.S. Army changed it’s dress and appearance standards in the 1980s, 2/6
now forbidding turbans and beards, he realized he had even more reason to stay. He had to stay and fight those standards and continue to show he loved this country just as much as the soldier next to him.
Not many people know of his story, but this young man, 3/6
Not many people know of his story, but this young man, 3/6
my father, served for 29 years and he is the highest-ranking Sikh to serve AD with a turban in the U.S. Army. Flashforward to May 2020, I rose my right hand as my dad, virtually due to COVID-19, gave me the Officer Oath of Office for the U.S. Air Force. 4/6
It was a lengthy process, but one that was worth it in every single way possible. It challenged me in more ways than one, and because of it, I walked away a stronger... me. My journey has only just begun, but I hope that I can make my father proud knowing that 5/6
his blood, sweat, and tears he poured into this for decades, that allowed me to join, is going to continue in our family. So here’s to two generations of Sikh Americans who are a part of this nation’s armed forces. Retired Col Singh (Army) and now, Lt Singh (USAF)." 6/6
