The Pentagon’s final decision regarding Sikh servicemen is that the department won’t make a decision at all. Instead, the Pentagon will allow each military branch to construct its own policy on religious exemptions from the military ban on beards and turbans.

“Each service has the authority to make determinations for religious accommodation. All requests for accommodation of religious practices are assessed on a case-by-case basis,” said Matthew Allen, a Pentagon spokesman. “The importance of and adhering to standards, and putting unit before self, needs to be carefully evaluated in each accommodation of religious practice decision.”

A few weeks ago, two dozen former generals wrote to the Pentagon in order to advocate for Sikh servicemen who are forced to violate their religious doctrine by shaving their beards, cutting their hair and discarding their turbans. The military has long argued that shaving is necessary for troops to safely fasten their helmets and gas masks. However, long hair is sacred in the Sikh religion, and Sikh military members feel like they must lead double lives in order to serve.

Sen. Tim Kaine wrote a personal letter Defense Secretary Carter on the subject.

“While I appreciate the importance of military protocol and understand the importance of unit cohesion, I do not believe that any American should have to choose between his or her religion and service to country,” Kaine wrote.

It is the hope of Sikh Americans that since the Pentagon has opened all combat jobs to women through a blanket policy that it might do the same for Sikhs. Since 2009, three Sikh servicemen have been granted exemptions on a case-by-case basis. In light of the Pentagon’s recent decision to not make decision, it is likely that exemptions for Sikhs will continue to be individually assessed.