'When the bullets begin flying, it doesn't concern anyone what religion you are - I bleed the same colour,'

First Sikh to become U.S. army soldier for nearly three decades

 

 

Born in New Delhi, India, he was granted the honour of carrying the unit colour flag as the 450 new soldiers paraded

The first Sikh to become an enlisted U.S. Army soldier in nearly three decades is eager to move on to training as a combat medic and defend his new homeland on the battlefield.

'When the bullets begin flying, it doesn't concern anyone what religion you are - I bleed the same colour,' said Simranpreet Lamba, 26, after his graduation ceremony from basic combat training.

Sikhism, a 500-year-old religion founded in India, requires its male followers to wear a turban and beard and keep their hair uncut. Army policies since 1984 had effectively prevented Sikhs from enlisting by barring those items.
But Lamba was granted a rare exception because he has skills the Army wants - the Indian languages Hindi and Punjabi.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328634/Simranpreet-Lamba-First-Sikh-US-army-soldier-nearly-3-decades.html#ixzz150bkQg6S