One of the United States Army soldiers we featured in a recent post titled “U.S. Soldiers Are Suing to Wear Turbans” — Captain Simratpal Singh — a Sikh-American, has won a “long-term religious accommodation” to serve in the branch with long hair, facial hair and a turban.

Singh, a graduate of West Point, a Ranger and a recipient of the Bronze Star, was given a temporary accommodation back in December to take such religious liberties.

The Sikh Coalition and their law firm — McDermott Will & Emory — are now claiming that Singh is the first Sikh-American ever to win such a case as an active-duty military member.

This from NBC News:

Unlike other Sikh Americans who have requested religious accommodation at thebeginning of their military careers, Singh has already been serving in the U.S. Army for over 10 years with short hair and no beard or turban.

“Captain Singh’s case is a painful study in the onerous hurdles for observant Sikh Americans who want to serve their country,” Amandeep Sidhu, partner at McDermott Will & Emery, said in a statement. “With this historic accommodation, we hope that the U.S. military will finally move past protracted, case-by-case religious accommodations and recognize that the time for permanent policy change is now.”

Both the coalition and their attorneys make the case that while Singh is a pioneer in receiving such a decision, about 50,000 American soldiers are allowed to grow a beard through medical exemptions.

“My military service continues to fulfill a lifelong dream,” Singh said. “My faith, like many of the soldiers I work with, is an integral part of who I am. I am thankful that I no longer have to make the choice between faith and service to our nation.”