Religious accommodations in the military allow service members to request accommodations for their religious practices and beliefs. For A1C Connor Crawn, the path to obtaining his approval was a long and challenging process. As a member of the Mohawk tribe Connor has felt strong connections to his roots as an indigenous person. In Mohawk culture men derive quite a bit of their sense of being and power from having long hair. After his attempts to get his RA before shipping off to basic training failed Connor was forced to get his hair cut. He and his father ceremoniously cut each others hair off before he shipped out. Thanks to the support of a willing Chaplain, Connor was able to the the allies and support he needed at his first base to purse this accommodation again. Finally after a long wait he has been approved to grow out his hair in accordance with his cultural and religious beliefs. Connor discusses his journey and the hopes of being able to help other indigenous service members file for and obtain their religious accommodations as well.
In This Episode We Cover:
Connor’s Story
What is a Religious Accommodation
What kinds of support he got from leadership, chaplains and peers
How he felt when he received word on his approval going through
How he aims to help others through the process
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