I'm also going to disagree with you on this, Bruce. There is no equivalency between Christianity and Islam. One religion espouses good (do not kill, etc.) while the other mandates evil (killing/subjugating non-believers, and so on). If there is anyone that has any confusion about which one is which, go to the source material of each for enlightenment.

https://www.armytimes.com/news...Early%20Bird%20Brief

Muslim soldier demoted, planning to sue the Army after hijab controversy

By: Meghann Myers   1 day ago

Following a rejected equal opportunity complaint and a demotion in rank, a Muslim soldier who has accused her Fort Carson, Colorado, leadership of religious discrimination is contemplating a federal lawsuit, her attorney confirmed to Army Times on Wednesday.

Spc. Cesilia Valdovinos, who was demoted this week following an unrelated Article 15 investigation, will file a complaint alleging violation of her civil rights either in northern Virginia or Denver, according to Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

“This is a pattern and practice of anti-Muslim bigotry, prejudice and harassment,” he said.

The 26-year-old culinary specialist’s story first went viral in mid-March, after she filed an EO complaint with her command based on an incident with her command sergeant major at the 704th Transportation Battalion.

The senior noncommissioned officer, believing that Valdovinos was wearing her hair down underneath her hijab ― rather than in a bun, per regulation ― demanded the soldier remove the head covering,

Her hair fell to her shoulders, Valdovinos told Army Times, because she uses the extra fabric in the cap to secure her bun. When she removes it, the bun falls out.

A week later, as the EO investigation was finishing, Command Sgt. Maj. Kerstin Montoya approached the soldier again, demanding that she go to the bathroom and fix her hair.

“I don’t have long, thick hair,” Valdovinos said. “My hair is thin and short, so because she doesn’t see a full bun sticking out of my hijab doesn’t mean I don’t have it in a bun.”

Her command has denied any discrimination.

“The findings of our commander’s inquiry determined the senior non-commissioned officer acted appropriately by enforcing the proper wear of the hijab, in compliance with Army regulations,” Col. David Zinn, who commands the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, said in a statement to Army Times on Wednesday. “We take pride in the diversity of our soldier teams who work together as professionals regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.”

Valdovinos’ demotion stems from another matter, according to her lawyer, though he believes that her newfound notoriety contributed to the punishment.

“There was another issue that was going on with her, where she was accused of something downrange,” Weinstein said. “A quote, ‘inappropriate relationship.' ”

Valdovinos said she had been assigned to take a soldier back to his barracks after wisdom teeth surgery, but soldiers who saw them together suspected more.

“That was supposed to be ― at worst ― a letter of reprimand,” Weinstein said. “But then this story hits and it went viral. We don’t find it a coincidence that, all of the sudden, what was supposed to be a letter of reprimand turned into an Article 15.”

In addition to the federal lawsuit, he added, Valdovinos’ legal team is contemplating an additional complaint with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Perhaps she can protest by hijacking a commercial airliner and flying it into the barracks.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!

This female didn't know when it was time to STFU and now she's opened up a whole can of worms and has attention from the very top down.

She wanted attention and got it, in spades!

quote:

“This is a pattern and practice of anti-Muslim bigotry, prejudice and harassment,” he said.

some people might call this just pain common sense

I know that common sense is in short supply, perhaps that's why he missed it

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I learned everything I need to know about Islam and Muslims on 9/11 and NOTHING I have seen in the past 18 years has changed my opinion

I can't tell the difference between good and bad so I assume that given their 'religion' they're all bad

if thats 1.5 billion I really don't care - it might as well be 150,000

numbers are irrelevant

actions speak loudly - and I don't see them parading in the streets calling for an end of violence

they are what they are and that is the enemy of the US

Following your logic all white guys with guns must be bad because nearly ever time a school gets shot up it’s usually a crazy white guy. You can’t write off an entire people because of the actions of a few, if that was the case we would all be fucked. I’m all about judging individuals by their actions, nothing more. I agree that their culture in the Middle East doesn’t fit our culture and beliefs but people adapt. I’m all about ridding the world of the extremists but you can’t put them all into the same pot. A good friend of mine is Muslim, he was born here but his parents immigrated from Pakistan. I’ve been friends with him for 35 years and I can tell you without hesitation that him and his family pose no threat to anyone. His family is as American as mine.

I spent a year in Iran as a military advisor in the Kurdish area (next to the Iraqi border. The Kurds were the friendliest most courteous people I have ever seen or experienced.

Why am I posting this? Because not all Muslims are bad, or evil. Anyone care to remember the videos of Muslims burning steel cages of living people to death? Or dropping the steel cages filled with people into the water to drown them?

Anyone remember the raids on African villages, seizing so many young women who were turned into sex slaves for the "victors".

How about CAIR in this country which has recently been reported of sending LOTS of money out of this country to support radical Islamic fighters?

I am all for equal rights for all people in this country, but the concept that some are more equal than others does not fly with me.

Those demanding exceptions because of their religion should, IMO, look elsewhere. The female Muslim soldier who was the cause of this thread, wanted to do things her way.

In my view, if you don't want to do things the army way, get the fuck out of the army!

I spent 11 years in the army, and I figure that gives me a right to express my opinion on this issue.

She violated the 11th Commandment: Thou Shall NOT EVER Piss a Senior Enlisted NCO.

She went full retard and pissed off a Command Sgt. Major.......I see at least a Big Chicken Dinner in her future (for non military that is the phrase for a Bad Conduct Discharge).

quote:

Originally posted by lunchbox:

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I learned everything I need to know about Islam and Muslims on 9/11 and NOTHING I have seen in the past 18 years has changed my opinion

I can't tell the difference between good and bad so I assume that given their 'religion' they're all bad

if thats 1.5 billion I really don't care - it might as well be 150,000

numbers are irrelevant

actions speak loudly - and I don't see them parading in the streets calling for an end of violence

they are what they are and that is the enemy of the US

Following your logic all white guys with guns must be bad because nearly ever time a school gets shot up it’s usually a crazy white guy. You can’t write off an entire people because of the actions of a few, if that was the case we would all be fucked. I’m all about judging individuals by their actions, nothing more. I agree that their culture in the Middle East doesn’t fit our culture and beliefs but people adapt. I’m all about ridding the world of the extremists but you can’t put them all into the same pot. A good friend of mine is Muslim, he was born here but his parents immigrated from Pakistan. I’ve been friends with him for 35 years and I can tell you without hesitation that him and his family pose no threat to anyone. His family is as American as mine.

you have your opinion and I appreciate that. However, I have mine and since I can't tell the difference, to err on the side of safety I have adopted my position

I learned everything I need to know about Muslims and Islam on 9/11 and the wars that followed

they have shaped my opinion by their actions and deeds, which speak much much louder than words

I can't recall seeing Muslims banding together and marching in protest against their radical counterparts

their so called religion requires they lie and deceive

I have no problem condemning them all as suspect

its up to them to change my mind

Learned that this snowflake converted to Islam in 2016. That explains how she’s a cook that refuses to handle pork. I can imagine the eye roles as command has to backfill her slot and find her a job.
About the CSM. I can guarantee that someone alerted her about this snowflake. When she checked it was clear snowflake didn’t have her hair up.
This will end up with an administrative discharge. I’ll go chapter 14.

Sheesh, I don't recall having the option to call a lawyer in when I had a beef with my command structure. I DO recall being gotten outta bed at any hour they wanted, going where they wanted, when they wanted, and not bellyaching about it. Least of all to a CSM. Maybe the mellinial snowflake mentality has met it's military match?

quote:

Originally posted by Icabod:
Learned that this snowflake converted to Islam in 2016. That explains how she’s a cook that refuses to handle pork. I can imagine the eye roles as command has to backfill her slot and find her a job.
About the CSM. I can guarantee that someone alerted her about this snowflake. When she checked it was clear snowflake didn’t have her hair up.
This will end up with an administrative discharge. I’ll go chapter 14.

Beat me to it. Bu-bye, and thanks for playing......

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
There is a radical faction of Islam that wishes to destroy us. We are doing a good job of wiping them out.

Horse shit. You think that the problem was ISIS only? You need to open your eyes. You're way, way off on this.

quote:

They are not the mainstream.

The "mainstream" tacitly supports these psychopaths, which means that there is in effect no "mainstream".

quote:

Don't paint a billion and a half people with such a broad brush. There are some individuals in there.

Oh, cry me a Goddamned river. You're blind.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
Muslim soldier demoted, planning to sue the Army after hijab controversy

By: Meghann Myers   1 day ago

Following a rejected equal opportunity complaint and a demotion in rank, a Muslim soldier who has accused her Fort Carson, Colorado, leadership of religious discrimination is contemplating a federal lawsuit, her attorney confirmed to Army Times on Wednesday.

Spc. Cesilia Valdovinos, who was demoted this week following an unrelated Article 15 investigation, will file a complaint alleging violation of her civil rights either in northern Virginia or Denver, according to Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

And here lies the first problem with her story. You are never 'given' punishment under Article 15, you elect to receive it. If you don't sign the charges there's always the chance they will recommend a court martial, and JAG has little enough time to prosecute the real criminals and would probably reject the recommendation unless it was a slam dunk.

This has nothing to do whatsoever with her religion. This is all about a millennial that was never taught you can't always get your own way and there are consequences to bad decisions.

Unfortunately, for the little snowflake, the U.S. military, while not the military I experienced, still has some semblance of structure and rules.

I tell ya whut: When I was in the Army one didn't even think about pissing off even a Master Sergeant, much less anybody higher

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
There is a radical faction of Islam that wishes to destroy us. We are doing a good job of wiping them out.

Horse shit. You think that the problem was ISIS only? You need to open your eyes. You're way, way off on this.

quote:

They are not the mainstream.

The "mainstream" tacitly supports these psychopaths, which means that there is in effect no "mainstream".

quote:

Don't paint a billion and a half people with such a broad brush. There are some individuals in there.

Oh, cry me a Goddamned river. You're blind.

The broad brush is used because the boards are so wide.

Westboro Baptist SAYS something messed up and a plethora of Christians take umbrage. "Extremist Muslims" behead, defenestrate,immolate, and detonate and where are these "moderate" or "good" Muslims? I don't see or hear them.

Yes, there are isolated cases but they are far from the majority. The day the majority is demonstrably against violence towards those who reject Islam is the day I'll look at the size of my brush.

Like Elk Hunter, I spent 18 months in Iran as a Radar Advisor to the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF), stationed in Tehran. The Shah was in power and friendly to the US, and life there was satisfactory for Americans. Under the Shah, foreigners were treated well and other religions were tolerated. We were advised to stay out of south Tehran, though--lots of radicals there--especially during Ramadan.

Muslims in the West appear benign when they are extreme minorities in their communities. When the percentage reaches or exceeds 5% they start to make demands that they receive special treatment regarding their "religion"; when the percentage gets to 25% they demand that Shari'a Law overlay the laws everyone else has to follow. In general, Muslims in the West do not assimilate, but live in enclaves where they continue to follow the dictates of their culture (which does not usually conform to the local society). One has only to examine the situation in Dearborn, Michigan (25% Muslim) to observe this in action.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by jsbcody:
She violated the 11th Commandment: Thou Shall NOT EVER Piss a Senior Enlisted NCO.

She went full retard and pissed off a Command Sgt. Major...

I retained a CSM as an expert in a case a few years ago. Sharp is an understatement and I definitely would never want to get on his bad side.

https://www.military.com/daily...Early%20Bird%20Brief

14 Sikh High Schoolers Get Waivers to Enter Army Basic With Beard, Turban

2 May 2019
Military.com | By Matthew Cox

Following graduation this June, Manav Sodhi will help lead a new wave of Sikh soldiers enlisting in the U.S. Army who will be allowed to wear the traditional turban and beard in Basic Combat Training.

Sodhi, who is currently attending Kings Park High School in New York, was recently granted a religious accommodation by the Army, according to the Sikh American Veterans Alliance (SAVA).

"I wanted to join the Army ever since I was a kid," Sodhi said in a recent SAVA news release. "My great grandfather served in the Army, and I wanted to follow his footsteps."

Practicing Sikhs serving in the Army are nothing new, but SAVA's release states that Sodhi is the first high school student to receive a religious accommodation so he can enlist in the Army as a Sikh.

He is at least among the first. There are currently 60 religious accommodations that have been granted to Sikhs entering the service, according to Hank Minitrez, a spokesman for the Army. Fourteen of those were granted as pre-accession waivers to high school students like Sodhi.

Army Lt. Col. Kamal Kalsi, who is the president of the non-profit advocacy group that promotes Sikhism and military service, was surprised to learn there are 13 other high school students who will be allowed to enlist in the Army and openly serve as Sikhs.

This is a new milestone, he said.

"It shows progress," Kalsi told Military.com, adding that he has been involved in this effort since he was granted the first such accommodation in 2009. "I was the first to get the accommodation for turban and beard way back in the day."

Sodhi credited Kalsi as his inspiration for wanting to join the Army.

"My mother took me to an event at city hall where I met Lieutenant Colonel Kalsi for the first time, and he was in his Army uniform with his turban and beard," Sodhi said in the release. "That was an amazing day for me because I realized then that I can freely practice my religion and serve my country too."

The Army changed its policy in 2017 to allow waivers for religious accommodation, Kalsi said.

"That came after many, many years of effort," he said. "Right now, our focus is to help open doors in the other branches of service."

Currently, there are no turban and beard waivers for religious freedom in the other services, but there are many Sikh men and women serving in uniform, Kalsi said, noting that it is easier for Sikh women since wearing a turban is optional for them.

Still, many Sikh service members have told SAVA they would like to see a policy change across the services, Kalsi said. "Many of them bemoan the current policy that doesn't allow them to keep their religious traditions."

Wearing a beard and turban is "critical because it is really part of our identity as Sikhs," he said.

"It's also part of our American upbringing to be able to practice our faith; you know religion freedom is a critical part of being an American," Kalsi said. "It's important to fight for the things you believe in, and religious freedom is one of those things."

He said that maintaining one uniform standard isn't as important as "what binds us together ... we are fighting for the same mission."

"When I deployed, nobody cared that I had a turban and a beard; they only cared that I did a good job," said Kalsi, who deployed to Afghanistan's Helmand Province in 2011 as an emergency room doctor.

"It was really very, very bloody. I took care of some really devastating injuries. It was tough," he said.

Military service has always been a proud tradition in Sikh culture, Kalsi said, adding that more than 80,000 Sikh soldiers died serving alongside allied forces in World War I and World War II.

"The Germans were actually terrified of the Sikh regiments in World War I; they referred to [Sikhs] as the black lions," he said. "If we were good enough to fight in a world war and die in the trenches, then I think we are good enough to continue to serve today."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.

quote:

"My mother took me to an event at city hall where I met Lieutenant Colonel Kalsi for the first time, and he was in his Army uniform with his turban and beard," Sodhi said in the release. "That was an amazing day for me because I realized then that I can freely practice my religion and serve my country too."

Therein would appear to lie a fundamental difference between Sikhism and islam.

One group joins the armed forces of his nation to serve the interests of his country.

The other joins the armed forces of her nation to follow her islamic agenda.

Who would you rather fight alongside in combat?