Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi |

“If they want to serve, we should let them do it.”

July 8, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Today’s online and print versions of The New York Times includes an article describing the challenges Sikh Americans are facing when attempting to join the US military: “Folks say, ‘If you really want to serve, why don’t you cut your beard?’ ” said Major Kalsi, a doctor who is the medical director of emergency medical services at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. “But asking a person to choose between religion and country, that’s not who we are as a nation. We’re […]

Categories: Civil Rights • Tags: Joseph Crowley, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Simran Lamba, United States Armed Forces, United States Army, US Army, US military

Picture of the Day: Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi

May 30, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Tomorrow, Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, one of the few Sikh Americans who has received an exemption to serve in the US military with his articles of faith intact, will be testifying in support of allowing Sikhs to serve in the US military without requiring a special exception to grooming requirements. From the Sikh Coalition: This Friday, May 31, at 1:30 EST, Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, a Bronze Star Medal recipient, will testify before the United States Commission on Civil Rights […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Picture of the Day • Tags: Bronze Star Medal, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Sikh Coalition, United States Commission on Civil Rights, US Army, US military

Tejdeep Singh Rattan dons a gas mask during his military training in 2010. (source: US Army)

US military lifts ban on women in combat; could Sikhs be next?

January 24, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Yesterday, it was announced that the Pentagon will be lifting its 1994 ban on allowing women solidiers from serving in combat situations: [Defense Secretary Leon] Panetta’s move comes in his final weeks as Pentagon chief and just days after President Barack Obama’s inaugural speech in which he spoke passionately about equal rights for all. The new order expands the department’s action of nearly a year ago to open about 14,500 combat positions to women, nearly all of them in the […]

Categories: Civil Rights • Tags: DADT, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Employment Discrimination, gender discrimination, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Pentagon, Simran Jeet Singh, Simran Lamba, Tejdeep Singh Rattan, United States, United States Armed Forces, US Army, US military

Picture of the Day: Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi speaks of his experiences in the US Army

October 3, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

US Army Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, who two years ago was one of three turban-wearing Sikhs granted permission to serve in the military with his articles of faith intact, speaks to the a Rotary Club in New York about his experiences in Afghanistan: Since his time joining the army, Kalsi has earned a Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest combat award in the Armed Forces and has seen two more Sikhs join after him. When Rotarians inquired as to whether his […]

Categories: Picture of the Day, Profiles • Tags: Briarcliff Manor, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, New York, United States Army, US Army

US Army soldier Kamaljeet Singh awarded Bronze Star

December 7, 2011 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

From the Sikh Coalition, we learn that Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi (who, last year, along with Tejdeep Singh Rattan successfully gained exemptions to serve in the US Army with their articles of faith intact), has been awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan: In support of the award, an official recommendation from Major Kalsi’s superiors cites his resuscitation back to life of two patients who were clinically dead on arrival; his “expert” emergency care of over 750 soldiers and […]

Categories: News Bits • Tags: Bronze Star Medal, Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Tejdeep Singh Rattan, United States, US Army

Enlisting the Sikhs

November 10, 2010 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Spc. Simran Lamba is the first turban-wearing Sikh in 30 years to be enlisted in the US Army and go through basic training: The 26-year-old native of New Delhi, India, says it had been a childhood dream to become a soldier. He was permitted to wear unshorn hair and a turban under a special accommodation. The exemption applies to an Army policy that effectively prevented Sikhs from enlisting since 1984. Recently, turban-wearing Sikhs have broken down barriers when it has come […]

Categories: Civil Rights, News Bits • Tags: Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi, Simran Lamba, Tejdeep Singh Rattan, US Army

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Tag: Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi