Jathedar of the Akal Takhat - the highest temporal seat of Sikhism - Giani Gurbachan Singh has visited the US' prestigious military academy at West Point here, making him the first Sikh spiritual leader to visit an American military installation.
During his visit on September 11, he met Brigadier General Steve Gilliland, Commandant of West Point and the ranking officer in the charge of the student body, known as the Corps of Cadets, said a media release issued by the recently formed Sikh American Veterans Alliance (SAVA).
Singh also met First Captain Simone Askew, the highest ranked cadet at the academy and also the first African- American female to hold that position.
"This visit will help to push back against discrimination by promoting Sikh military service in one of our nation's oldest and most revered institutions," said Lt. Col. Kamal S Kalsi, founder and head of SAVA.
He said that the visit by the Jathedar was particularly significant in light of the recent policy changes adopted by the US Army, permitting permanent religious accommodations to the Army's uniform and grooming standards, enabling soldiers and cadets to wear turbans and maintain beards, consistent with their faith.
During his visit, Singh expressed his gratitude to General Gilland and the US Army for working with the first two Sikh cadets, who joined the Corps of Cadets with accommodations granted under the new policy.
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