First Turbaned Sikh American Soldier Promoted To Corporal Rank

WASHINGTON – Sikhs haveyet again set a new standard in theU.S. Delhi’s twenty nine year-old SimranpreetLamba, now serving the U.S.Army, became the first from his Sikhcommunity to be promoted to thecorporal rank in three decades, reportsRohan Dua for The Times of India. Itis the 5th rank in the U.S. army, whichis higher than that of a specialist’s andis directly below the sergeant.Lamba went to the U.S. in 2006 tocomplete his education and is stunnedwith this good news. He says, “I’m aproud U.S. army soldier today. There’snothing about my beard and hair thatbars me from doing anything any othersoldier would do,” reports TOI.With a Master’s degree in handfrom the New York University, Lambadecided to stay in the U.S. and begina career in the private sector.He was enlisted for the U.S. Armyin 2009, but Army officials were notsure if Lamba could serve while sportinga turban, uncut hair and a beard.Later, two Sikh officers, a doctor anda dentist, joined the Army while wearinga beard, scruffy hair and a turban,who very much inspired Lamba to applyfor a combative rank profile. Lamba requestedthe U.S. army to let him keep hisarticles of faith intact. Unlike the Armypolicies of 1984 that effectively barredSikhs from enrolling in the soldier rank,the U.S. Army went beyond these rulesand welcomed Sikhs.He was then recruited under the MilitaryAccessions Vital of the National Interestrecruiting program, which requireslegal non-citizens to have knowledge ofgood language skills, such as Punjabi andHindi. Throughout his training period,Lamba was seen wearing his turban thatwas patterned with the army combat uniform,instead of the regular caps. He alsomaintained his locks and beard clean underall conditions, meeting the Militaryrules of appearance.Lamba wishes to inspire other Sikhswho have the will to serve the Army, eventhough the path is a thorny one.