Sikh American Veterans Alliance

Serve the nation. Keep the faith.

SAVA works with policymakers and community advocates so that every American who can meet the military’s standards, including religious Americans, has the opportunity to serve without giving up the core tenets of their faith.

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From the film
Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call

“…equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.”

Executive Order 9981 · July 26, 1948

SAVA holds the country to that promise for Sikhs who serve.

Dr. Kalsi with his unit in front of an aid station. — With his unit at an aid station, from the film.

Our story

Serving in uniform without giving up the turban.

SAVA’s founder, Dr. Kamal S. Kalsi, D.O., an Army physician, was among one of the first Sikh American soldiers of his generation allowed to serve with his turban and beard. He helped bring about the Army’s 2017 policy that lets soldiers keep their articles of faith for a whole career.

The fight opened the door for other Americans who wear religious head coverings, such as turbans and yarmulkes.

Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call The documentary about the fight to serve with turban and beard.

Watch the trailer 1:55

Archival photograph of a turbaned soldier with a rifle. — **Fig. 1** Archival photograph, from the film.

Officers in dress uniform raising their right hands to take the oath under a tent. — **Fig. 2** Taking the oath with fellow officers, from the film.

A hand in an Army dress uniform sleeve touches names engraved in stone. — **Fig. 3** Remembering those who served, from the film.

Archival photograph of turbaned Sikh soldiers marching with rifles. — **Fig. 4** Archival photograph of Sikh soldiers on the march, from the film.

The record

Turban, beard and uniform. One milestone at a time.

Every date here carries a source, because reporters will quote it. Swipe, drag or use the arrows.

July 261948

President Truman signs Executive Order 9981, ordering equal treatment in the armed services without regard to religion.

Source: Executive Order 9981

October2009

The Army approves Dr. Kamal S. Kalsi, D.O., then a captain, to serve with his turban and beard: the first such accommodation since the 1980s.

Source: Stars and Stripes, Oct 2009

January2017

An Army directive allows Sikh soldiers to wear the turban, unshorn hair and beard for a whole career.

Source: NBC News, Jan 2017

Air Force · Navy2020

The Air Force allows turbans and beards. The Navy allows turbans, with beards permitted ashore.

Source: Military Times, Mar 2020

December 232022

A federal appeals court orders the Marine Corps to let three Sikh recruits begin boot camp with their turbans and beards while their case goes on. SAVA joined a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the recruits.

Source: Singh v. Berger, No. 22-5234 (D.C. Cir. Dec. 23, 2022)

August 112023

Pfc. Jaskirat Singh graduates from Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, with his turban and beard.

Source: Military Times, Aug 2023

May 19 · Now2026

Army Directive 2026-09 orders existing religious accommodations for grooming and appearance to be re-evaluated. They remain valid until a final decision is made on each one. The work is not finished.

Source: Stars and Stripes, Jun 2026 · Army Directive 2026-09

Seven milestones, oldest first. See every source →

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