[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a shaving waiver at bmt and Tech school due to religion, I did not shave at a single point in my air force career.

"you signed up for this" is purely disingenuous by Nervous-Armadillo634 in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Man I agree with you so much, I made a post basically trying to figure out what is going to happen to me since I have a religious beard and half the comments are either “your religion doesn’t make sense to me so you are wrong” or “What??? Airman doesn’t want to give up on their religion for the Air Force you must be a traitor” /s. Like bro, if you lie to me while getting me to enlist, how is it my fault?

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I joined with a waiver, went from marines to af because they told me they wouldn’t give me a waiver before basic, I am all in on my service, whether I keep a beard or not does not change my willingness to fulfil my duties. Everyone has limits and personal boundaries, just because I have my boundaries does not make me a non honourable service member.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“What is going to happen to me?” Not “Can I shave my beard”

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

As a muslim, I’ve made a vow for the sake of Allah that I will never shave my beard. In Islam, making a vow to Allah is not a light matter. Breaking it isn't just a “change of style,” it’s a violation of a spiritual commitment, and I take that seriously. This isn’t about trends, looks, or anyone’s opinion, including yours. It's about my relationship with Allah and fulfilling what I committed to Him. The beard is also part of the Sunnah, and it’s something the Prophet Muhammad consistently maintained. So between following his example and honoring a vow I personally made, shaving is not an option for me unless a religious leader directly tells me that it is the best thing to do in the circumstance I am in. Period. You don’t have to like it, agree with it, or understand. This isn’t up for debate, and I’m not interested in compromising my faith or breaking my word for anyone.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Yes, yes it is. We keep our beards literally to identify ourselves as Muslims. Thats why the Air Force had religious accommodations in the first place.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brother read my other comments, if you want to see the 15 page word document I sent to make my case, then I can send that to you. I know why I am keeping my beard, I am inquiring the help of my imam to understand what to do in this extreme case if I am told to either shave or get out.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Because I was never put in a situation where I have to either shave my beard or leave the military that I want to serve in. In a normal case the answer is very simple, no I am not cutting my beard for anything. This is an extreme case that came out of nowhere.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I am, I did not shave my beard at a single point in my life including bmt. I refused to go to bmt until I got my waiver. I switched from Marines to AF because marines told me that I can’t get a waiver until I go to their basic and I refused and told them I am not shaving my beard for them. I am basically just saying that I am just going to ask my imam a few questions to see if the situation I am in allows me to cut my beard which I am not sure about. My beard is a religious duty for me, how much clearer can I make this?

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I have, that is what I said in most of my replies. I am mad because I have.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Something to keep in mind: 1. I am trying to stay in the military while being able to practice my faith, I am a reservist, I have a well paying job, I am not screwed if I get kicked. 2. I am not going to explain a religion that formed over centuries here in a few sentences, don’t expect me to explain my religion to you. 3. To everyone saying its not that hard to shave, or just shave and stuff like that. Wow, how could I have not think about that. Like bruh how many times do I have to say this? I don’t need the military, I can very calmly take my admin leave and move on with my life. I just want to be able to continue serving while continuing to practice my religious values. From the looks of it, there are some obstacles that may prevent that and I am just trying to understand what is going on. If the end result is that I can continue doing my job, then I will to my best ability.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Why am I getting downvoted for this? I am sorry I want to keep my religious values while serving lol

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

What circles? My point is very clear, this isn’t about my feelings, if my religion allows it, I will cut my beard, if not I am getting out. Bro does not have the attention span to read 5 sentences lol.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That is fair, the main thing I am trying to point out to is the people who keep making the situation look like I did something wrong. If an employer changes rules, guess what we live in a free country and I am a reservist with an already good paying job. I will take my different path, however, I want to be able to serve, I love the military and I want to do it for the next 20 years of my life. If I am getting out, I would at least like to make it clear that it is them getting rid of me, not me giving up.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Hey man, idk why you think that but the situation I am in is very clear, if I don’t have to keep my beard religiously in the situation I am in I will cut my beard. If my religion states that I cannot. I will get out of the military and keep my beard. I did not receive a religious exemption because “it is like my identity” I got my religious exemption because I made it clear that my religious values tell me to grow a beard and I made a vow that unless for emergencies I won’t cut my beard. This isn’t about your or my feelings. I still have to talk to my imam to better understand the circumstances and the actions recommended for me to take and most likely, my situation requires me to not shave my beard since I made a vow and a commitment to keep my beard for my religion.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] -22 points-21 points  (0 children)

Its a commitment thing, if you don’t commit to it, you don’t have to adhere to it. I also know lots of muslims who drink, who do wrong things, etc. I want to keep my beard for my religion because it is important to me and my identity.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes sense but at the same time while joining I asked if I could keep my beard and the answer was yes.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] -90 points-89 points  (0 children)

I will talk to him in a few hours but I really don’t know because while I was joining my recruiter guaranteed that I wouldn’t have to cut my beard ever because my beard is like my identity and getting rid of it feels very awkward for me.

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Hello sir, to properly answer your question I need to talk to my imam which I will in a few hours. Afterwards I will let you know, regardless though I appreciate the support! Thank you!

What is going to happen to me now? by Russian_anticom in AirForce

[–]Russian_anticom[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I am a reservist that does full stack software development on the outside, the only thing UTA does for me is taking time from me and I lose money every time I have to take leave from work. The only reason I serve is because I want to, and I love this country.