beard | Jews in Green

DoD Policy on Religious Observance Updated

23 Jan 2014 JR

The DoD recently updated their “Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military Services” directive. The existing directive had been in place since 1988 and was well due for a refresh. Our military has always consisted of members of diverse religious backgrounds, but in an environment that stresses uniformity of appearance the outward expression of that diversity is often hidden. Ironically […]

Changes to USMC Religious Apparel and Grooming Regs

25 Apr 2013 JR

The Marine Corps Uniform Board has implemented some changes to MCO 1020.34 regarding both the wearing of religious apparel and grooming standards related to religious observance. In the first case, they are now requiring CMC approval for religious apparel. The old wording did not have this requirement. Changes are in red. C. WITH CMC APPROVAL, NEAT AND CONSERVATIVE VISIBLE ARTICLES […]

Chaplain Has His Beard And Wears It Too

01 Dec 2011 JR

After a long legal battle with the U.S. Army, Rabbi Menachem M. Stern will finally be commissioned as a First Lieutenant to serve as a Jewish chaplain. The story made news back in 2009 when he was appointed as an Army Reserve chaplain only to have the appointment rescinded the following day. The Army had refused to permit Rabbi Stern to enter the Chaplaincy despite the […]