The dhimmitizing of the US military….

[ezkl2230]

The US military has recently enacted new regulations governing tattoos on our military personnel, and recruiters are observing that these new regulations are keeping large numbers of potential recruits from military service because of the proliferation of tattoos among our young people.


The question is, why? Tattoos in the military has a long tradition, so why - and why NOW?


The answer, in a word, is dhimmitude.


Dhimmis (an arabic word) are those peoples who have been conquered by or have surrendered to jihad. They are allowed to keep their religions and many of their customs, but are required to observe sharia law and be in subservience to their muslim conquerors. They are to live in such a way as not to offend the sensibilities of their conquerors.


How is this manifesting itself in the US military?


Our women are not permitted to leave unaccompanied, drive, or wear short clothes (shorts or t-shirts) off base in muslim countries. For a many years, our female military personnel were required to wear hijabs (the muslim head scarfs) or even burqas when they left bases in these countries, but that requirement was discontinued (at least for a while; we'll see if it returns). At this moment, in preparation for the month-long muslim observation of ramadan, our personnel in some of these countries are being instructed by arab "cultural advisors" to observe muslim prohibitions. The following appeared in Stars and Stripes on June 24, 2014:

"Base cultural advisers have spent the last few weeks conducting Ramadan briefs to educate Americans about the holy month. Ali Hassan briefed about 150 personnel Tuesday about Islam, the lunar calendar and customs and traditions during Ramadan…

Hassan encouraged personnel to experience Iftar in a Ramadan tent, many of which are set up at various locations around Bahrain during the holy month and welcome non-Muslims.

'Make it a point to visit these tents while you’re here. You don’t know if you’ll ever come back to Bahrain in the future,'” Hassan said during the brief…

Things to Know During Ramadan

• Eating, drinking, chewing and smoking in public are civil offenses in some Islamic countries.

• Men should wear long sleeves and pants. Women’s sleeves should extend below the elbow and pants or skirts should cover the knees.

• Avoid critical remarks about fasting or any religious practice.

• Most restaurants will be closed except those in 4- and 5-star hotels.

• Businesses alter and reduce hours during the day; some open at night until early morning hours.

• Arabs are good hosts and may offer you food or refreshments during daylight hours. Such offers should be declined.

• All consumption of alcohol by U.S. military personnel is prohibited at any off base public venue in the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility during Ramadan.

• It’s customary to say ‘Ramadan Kareem’ [Noble Ramadan] during Ramadan."

So back to tattoos and how this fits into this picture (no pun intended). According to about.com islam,

"… The majority of Muslims consider permanent tattoos to be haram, based on an oral tradition (hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad…

Tattooing is considered 'mutilating' the body, changing Allah's creation

• It inflicts unnecessary pain, and introduces the possibility of infection
• It covers the natural body, and is therefore a form of 'deception'
• Non-believers often adorn themselves this way, so it is 'imitating the kuffar'"

More and more, our regulations are being geared toward not offending the sensibilities of muslims. While the military has historically tried to be sensitive toward local cultures, such guidelines were just that - guidelines. They weren't incorporated into the regulations of the military, so this change, along with the encouragement of more active participation in, and observation of, muslim religious observances (while, at the same time, demonizing Christian practices and observances) represents a more fundamental shift: we have gone from merely trying to be sensitive when practical to actually requiring our military personnel to be in subservience to islamic sharia requirements.

That is the very definition of dhimmitude.

 

[NavyLCDR]

US personnel in Bahrain prepare for Ramadan - Middle East - Stripes

Hassan encouraged personnel to experience Iftar in a Ramadan tent, many of which are set up at various locations around Bahrain during the holy month and welcome non-Muslims.
“Make it a point to visit these tents while you’re here. You don’t know if you’ll ever come back to Bahrain in the future,” Hassan said during the brief.

I could not agree more with that suggestion. I've seen too many military members spend their whole time in foreign countries where the only local customs they experience are drinking in bars at night and patronizing prostitutes. The rest of the restrictions mentioned in the article apply to personnel who leave the base and are instructions to keep them from being arrested.

As far as tattoos, they are not banned in the military, simply restricted - with more restrictions on tattoos that are visible when wearing a short sleeve uniform. Just like hair styles, amount/types of makeup, earrings for males, fingernail polish and hair color are all regulated as well.

The US military is not the only organization that you will find with tattoo regulations:
Professional dress code and Tattoos

The US Military is an all volunteer force - if you don't like the regulations than don't join.