Topeka, Kansas, USA: Simratpal “Simmer” Singh, a U.S. Army officer recognized for his efforts to preserve Sikh religious practices within the military, was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel on November 26, according to the Sikh Coalition.
At his promotion ceremony, Singh reflected on his journey from a small village in Punjab, India, to a leadership role in the U.S. Army. “The Army and this Nation have given this village kid from Punjab far more than he deserves, and my hope is to be able to give even a tenth of it back,” he said. The Army shared photos documenting the occasion.
The Sikh Coalition, which has partnered with Singh for many years, highlighted his 2015 efforts to secure the right to wear his beard and turban while in uniform. This advocacy contributed to a broader Army policy revision in 2017, which now allows Sikh soldiers to request similar religious accommodations without facing the difficult choice Singh confronted early in his career.
Singh’s military journey began with a personal struggle. Born in Punjab and partially raised in California and Seattle after his family fled political violence, he joined West Point in 2006. At the time, he had to shave his beard to comply with Army regulations, a decision he later described as emotionally challenging. “I felt like the very values that would make me a good Soldier are the ones I had violated,” he recalled in a previous Army profile.
His breakthrough came after connecting with attorneys from the Sikh Coalition at a Washington event, leading to a landmark case that paved the way for future Sikh recruits. Singh has since assisted advocacy efforts supporting similar policy changes across the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
During nearly two decades of service, Singh has completed Ranger School, received a Bronze Star for clearing explosives in Afghanistan, and served as an instructor at West Point. He is currently enrolled at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
The Sikh Coalition emphasized its continued commitment to ensuring that Sikh service members can honor their faith while serving, stating that no one should have to choose between their religious beliefs and their military career.
