U.S. Soldier Receives Approval to Sport Beard Due to Pagan Beliefs
U.S. soldier who is serving in Afghanistan has received a uniform religious exception to sport a beard based upon his Norse pagan beliefs.
The Nevada Army Guard said that Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper is the first guard soldier to receive a religious accommodation approval for a beard, according to a news release from the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
The U.S. Army prohibits facial hair and instructs all soldiers to remain clean-shaven, but Hopper, 34, has continued to sport a “full, reddish-brown beard” since his deployment to Afghanistan in the summer.
The number of religious accommodations, including beards, is likely to grow within the ranks of the Nevada National Guard. SFC Benjamin Hopper now wears a beard while in Afghanistan and other Pagans within the state are seeking approval to sport beards.https://t.co/GvNr1KX4iM pic.twitter.com/f3gF3tV0YI
— Nevada Guard (@NVNationalGuard) December 21, 2019
Hopper, of Madison, Alabama, said he has been practicing his Norse pagan faith for about 20 years and maintains that his beliefs complement the Army Warrior ethos. Norse paganism is a polytheistic religion based on ancient beliefs and practices associated with region of Scandinavia. (Read more from “U.S. Soldier Receives Approval to Sport Beard Due to Pagan Beliefs” HERE)
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