'It doesn't concern anyone what religion you are- 

I bleed the same colour': First Sikh to become 

U.S. army soldier for nearly three decades 

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 11th November 2010
The first Sikh to become an enlisted U.S. Army soldier in
 nearly three decades is eager to move on to training as a 
combat medic and defend his new homeland on the 
battlefield.
'When the bullets begin flying, it doesn't concern anyone 
what religion you are - I bleed the same colour,' said 
Simranpreet Lamba, 26, after his graduation ceremony 
from basic combat training.
Sikhism, a 500-year-old religion founded in India, requires 
its male followers to wear a turban and beard and keep 
their hair uncut. Army policies since 1984 had effectively 
prevented Sikhs from enlisting by barring those items.
But Lamba was granted a rare exception because he has 
skills the Army wants - the Indian languages Hindi and 
Punjabi.
Scroll down to see video report
Proud: Simranpreet Lamba became the first Sikh to be enlisted as a soldier in the U.S. Army since 1984 on Wednesday
Proud: Simranpreet Lamba was granted a rare exception to 
enlist because he has skills the Army wants - the Indian 
languages Hindi and Punjabi
Honour: The 26-year-old native of New Delhi, India, was granted the honor of carrying a red-white-and-blue unit colour flag as the 450 new soldiers paraded
Honour: Born in New Delhi, India, he was granted the honour of 
carrying the unit colour flag as the 450 new soldiers paraded
Before him, two Sikhs joined the Army as medical 
officers earlier this year. But Lamba is the first enlisted
 man since the policy barring religious articles of clothing.
Lamba said his black turban, full beard, unshorn hair 
and religious beliefs posed no problems during his ten 
weeks of training.
During training, he wore a camouflage turban under his
Kevlar helmet.
He used petroleum jelly to get a tight grip between his 
beard and gas mask, and was able to keep his hair clean 
under all conditions, meeting all the military's concerns 
about training and appearance.
The U.S. Army has had policies in place since 1984 which stipulate that soldiers' heads must be shaved and facial hair is not allowed, but Lamba was granted an exemption
The U.S. Army has had policies in place since 1984 which 
stipulate that soldiers' heads must be shaved and facial hair is 
not allowed, but Lamba was granted an exemption
Language: Lamba, who went to America to study industrial engineering at New York University, was granted a rare exception because he can speak Indian languages Hindi and Punjabi
'I am proud to be a Sikh, I'm proud to be a U.S. citizen, and
 proud to be a U.S. Army soldier,' he said
'I am proud to be a Sikh, I'm proud to be a U.S. citizen, 
and proud to be a U.S. Army soldier,' he said.
The Sikhs were founded as a warrior group meant to 
fight against injustice and inequality, said Lamba, who
trained at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, so adopting 
Army values was easy for him.
Lamba's battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Bryan
Hernandez said: 'The Sikhs are warriors in Indian culture. 
Once our soldiers heard that, they were all for him.
Eager: 'When the bullets begin flying, it doesn't concern anyone what religion you are - I bleed the same colour,' said Lamba
Eager: 'When the bullets begin flying, it doesn't concern anyone 
what religion you are - I bleed the same colour,' said Lamba
'It's going to be a good thing for our Army and our nation 
to have Lamba in the service.'
The native of New Delhi, India, was granted the honour 
of carrying a red-white-and-blue unit colour flag as the 
450 new soldiers paraded in a salute before 3,000 friends 
and family gathered in the stands.
He went to the U.S. to get a master's degree in industrial 
engineering at New York University, and thought about
 enlisting and getting his citizenship. 
He did some research, and found that the Army's special 
forces units were allowed to wear beards, so it occurred 
to him that he might be able to enter the service.
'I thought, why not fight for this country? It doesn't 
matter that I wasn't born here,' Lamba said.

After enlisting, it took a 10-month Army review before 
the service granted him a waiver.
Mentor: Dr Kamal Kalsi, a fellow Sikh and emergency room physician now based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, gave Lamba advice about joining the Army
Mentor: Dr Kamal Kalsi, a fellow Sikh and emergency room
 physician now based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, gave
 Lamba advice about joining the Army
Lamba got some mentoring in advance of taking his
 big step, said Captain Kamal Kalsi, a fellow Sikh 
and emergency room physician now based at Fort 
Bragg, North Carolina, who entered the Army in June.
'We talked a lot before he went in,' said Kalsi, a 
34-year-old from Riverdale, New Jersey. 
He said he wanted to come to Lamba's graduation to 
wish him well.
Lamba said he would have liked to be an officer like 
Kalsi, but since he wasn't a citizen, could not do so. 
After his four months of training as a combat medic, 
Lamba said he hoped one day to apply for officer 
candidate school.
'I feel I am a soldier. I am not a civilian anymore,' 
he said. 'If I can do it, anyone can.'