U.S. Army captain allowed to wear beard and turban in uniform

For close to a decade, Simratpal Singh felt torn between the ideals of his faith and those of the U.S. Army. No more. The Army has granted Capt. Singh, a Sikh, permission to serve while wearing a turban over his long hair and a beard with his uniform.

He is the first active duty soldier to seek the accommodation and receive it while serving in the Army, according to The Sikh Coalition, the largest Sikh American advocacy organization in the United States.

Singh, a decorated combat veteran, has been in the Army for 10 years, first as a cadet and now as a commissioned officer. In 2012, he was deployed to Afghanistan. Throughout his service, Singh adhered to the Army's grooming and appearance regulations.

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