Religious groups applaud new Air Force rules allowing turbans, hijabs, beards

The new guidelines allow personnel to request a waiver to wear religious apparel, including turbans and hijabs, and to have unshorn hair or beards for religious reasons. 

Examples of waiver-approved religious apparel styles for turbans, from left, hijabs and beards in the U.S. Air Force. Photos courtesy of USAF

(RNS) — Muslim and Sikh advocacy groups have welcomed new guidelines issued by the U.S. Air Force last week allowing personnel to request a waiver to wear religious apparel, including turbans and hijabs, and to have unshorn hair or beards for religious reasons. 

The updated policy, published Saturday (Feb. 8), says beards and head coverings must appear “neat and conservative,” but requests can only be denied if the policy “furthers a compelling government interest” and is the least restrictive way of furthering that interest.

Advocates said they saw the revisions as a step forward for inclusion, though they ultimately promoted policies that would not require such waivers or exemptions.


“No Sikh American should have to choose between their religious beliefs and their career ambitions,” said Giselle Klapper, an attorney for the Sikh Coalition. “Sikhs have served honorably and capably in the U.S. Armed Forces and other militaries around the world, and while we are eager for a blanket proclamation that all observant Sikh Americans can serve in every branch of the military without seeking accommodations, this policy clarification is a great step forward towards ensuring equality of opportunity and religious freedom in the Air Force.”

The Sikh Coalition said its client, Airman 1st Class Gurchetan Singh, became the first Sikh American to receive an accommodation to serve in the Air National Guard. The organization requested the accommodation on his behalf in April 2019 and it was approved by September 2019.

“Their legal assistance means that I won’t face discrimination as I step up to serve,” Singh said. “I’m proud to help clear the way for other Sikhs who may want to join the U.S. Air Force by demonstrating that we can serve honorably while maintaining our articles of faith.”

The updated policy allows airmen who receive accommodations to wear beards of any length rolled or tied to a maximum of 2 inches below the chin. Turbans and hijabs must be made of a “subdued material in a color that closely resembles the assigned uniform,” and designs other than a camouflage pattern are prohibited, the policy states. 

In 2014, the Pentagon revised its policies to provide similar religious accommodation for military personnel, and in 2017, the U.S. Army became the first service to allow Muslims and Sikhs in uniform to wear head coverings and beards.

“We support these new guidelines as a step toward religious accommodation and inclusion for military personnel of all faiths,” Council on American-Islamic Relations representative Ibrahim Hooper said. “Thousands of American Muslims and members of other minority faiths serve in our nation’s military and should be able to practice their faith while serving.”


In 2018, Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to receive a beard waiver for religious reasons.

In December, the Air Force commissioned its first female Muslim chaplain, Saleha Jabeen. Jabeen was also the first female Muslim chaplain candidate in the U.S. military generally.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!