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Pfc. Jaskirat Singh, who challenged the Marines –\u00a0 and won, was allowed to complete his Basic Training with turban and beard.<\/p>\n
\nWearing a white turban, Pvt. 1st Class Jaskirat Singh was among the Marines celebrating their achievement Friday at U.S. Marine Recruit Depot in San Diego, nonprofit organization the Sikh Coalition announced in a statement the same day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m proud to demonstrate that wearing a turban or beard does not make me any different or less of a Marine, and I intend to prove that in the future,\u201d Singh said at a news conference afterward.<\/p>\n
Singh, who will serve in the infantry, is thought to be the first Sikh to be granted the grooming standards waiver to attend recruit training, according to the coalition.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The case was decided in favor of Singh and two other privates by the DC Court of Appeals in December. There is another case pending, Marine Corps Capt. Sukhbir Singh Toor, who is seeking to not have to cut his hair or beard in a combat zone.<\/p>\n
\nIn defending the service, Justice Department lawyers have argued that the requirements are necessary to promote uniformity, cohesion and other esprit de corps characteristics. Beards also could interfere with a proper seal on a gas mask, the service\u2019s attorneys also said.<\/p>\n
But Singh and his attorneys say Marine Corps values such as honor, service and discipline are fundamental to the Sikh religion as well.<\/p>\n
Singh also said he easily met seal requirements for a gas mask during his training. If he had failed, the service wouldn\u2019t have let him graduate, one of his attorneys said.<\/p>\n