Honor the values that faith and service share.
Loyalty, unity and selfless service are central to both Sikhism and military life.
Our story
Loyalty, unity, selfless service.
Values at the heart of Sikhism and of military service alike. The Sikh American Veterans Alliance works so that every American who can meet the military’s standards, including religious Americans, can serve without giving up the core tenets of their faith.
What SAVA works for
Three aims, one campaign.
Through advocacy and engagement, SAVA brings community members and policymakers together to:
Stand against extremism and intolerance.
SAVA works to counter religious extremism and intolerance.
Strengthen the force through inclusion.
Promoting inclusion and a diverse force makes the military stronger.
The founder
One soldier’s accommodation. A policy for a whole career.
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. After a decades-long effort by the Sikh community, he helped bring about the Army’s 2017 policy that lets soldiers keep their articles of faith for a whole career.
That change opened the door for other Americans who wear religious head coverings, such as turbans and yarmulkes, to serve their country.
Why it matters
Everyone should be able to see themselves as part of the nation’s fighting force.Adapted from SAVA’s mission
Opening service to more Americans is a matter of national security and of national identity.
The work now
Clear rules, for every branch.
SAVA is working for uniform and grooming policies that give religious Americans the opportunity to serve and give leaders and commanders clear rules to apply.
May 19, 2026 · Now
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 See the full record →Advisory board
The advisory board.
Military leaders and professionals who advise SAVA’s work.
- Mark HertlingLieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.); former Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army; professor, Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business
- Jeffrey KendallBrigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.); adjunct senior international and defense researcher, RAND Corporation
- Brian SongLieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps; partner, BakerHostetler
- Indy SamraPrivate Wealth Advisor, Samra Wealth Management; co-chair and board member, Punjabi Chamber of Commerce; formerly on the leadership team of the Sikh American Chamber of Commerce; SAVA board member since 2019
- Geena KaurU.S. Navy veteran with 14 years of service; officer, U.S. Navy Reserve; director, Synopsys; doctoral candidate, University of Southern California
Members confirmed by SAVA, November 2026. Titles from each advisor’s current professional profile.
The documentary
Colonel Kalsi: Beyond the Call
The documentary about the fight to serve with turban and beard. A SAVA presentation. Best Documentary at the DC and Chicago South Asian Film Festivals; Best Documentary Director, Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati; Special Mention, South Asian Film Festival of Montreal. Streaming on Prime Video and Fawesome.
- Executive producers
- Sonny Kalsi, Michelle Kalsi
- Directors
- Anand Kamalakar & Geeta Gandbhir
- Producer
- Steve Alpert
- Editor
- Anand Kamalakar
- Camera
- Asad Faruqi
- Original music
- John McDowell
- Line producer
- Lise Zumwalt
Keep the promise.
Your gift funds SAVA’s advocacy for Americans of faith in uniform.