University of Iowa ROTC cadet is first in nation to receive uniform accommodations for his Sikh faith

University of Iowa student Gursharan Virk's childhood home was next to an airport in India.

Every day, Virk said he would see at least 10 planes landing nearby. He became fascinated with flying.

Coming into his freshman year in college, Virk became intrigued by the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He learned it can be a path to a commission in the Air Force, which would help him fulfill his goal of becoming a pilot.

Virk is also a practicing Sikh who wears the traditional garb. So one of the first questions he asked was whether he would have to choose between his religion and his passion for flying.

Now a junior at UI, Virk has received his answer. Through support from leaders and peers in ROTC, Virk became the first cadet in the nation allowed to wear his turban and beard in his military uniform.

Virk said the waiver process for that was simple. His beard was approved in a month, but approval for his turban took eight to nine months.

Virk said the turban and beard represent a basic tenet for Sikhs, which is to look out for humanity.

“It's easy to spot someone out in a crowd who's wearing a turban,” Virk said. “If you need help, you spot a Sikh, and you go to him or her for help. As a Sikh, my duty or my responsibility is to help whoever needs help.”

UI professor sees commitment to diversity in U.S. military

Lt. Col. Matt Youmans is a professor of aerospace studies and is the Air Force commander of the University of Iowa ROTC detachment. Youmans said the importance of uniforms is to remind cadets of their purpose and goal.

“Uniforms can give members a sense of belonging, a sense of pride,” Youmans said. “It's kind of a reminder that we're here to do a service for the country.”

Youmans said that, in order to face diverse problems in the military, it is key to have diverse perspectives in the ranks. The accommodations being provided to Virk is validation to Youmans that ROTC is attempting to be more inclusive.

"Air force ROTC is in the business of discovering, developing and showcasing talent,” said Col. Corey Ramsby, commander of Air Force ROTC, in a story written by the military branch's public affairs arm. “Cadet Virk is just the latest example of the shift in our culture that has allowed us to open that aperture wider than we ever have before."

Youmans commended the support the cadets have for each other, which was revealed in Virk's quest to maintain his religious identity while serving his country.

“It really is encouraging as somebody like myself who's been here for over 17 years on active-duty status to see this new generation jumping in and raising their hand and volunteering to do that,” Youmans said. “They encourage each other to do so, and it's a big team effort.”

Virk finds family in Iowa ROTC: 'One of the best growth environments'

Virk was born in Des Moines but grew up in India, where his father is a retired army colonel. He returned to Iowa for his final two years of high school, at Waukee.

Virk said the Iowa detachment of ROTC feels like family.

That is partially because Virk entered the university during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolating factors related to mitigating exposure caused Virk and his detachment to bond.

“It's one of the best growth environments I've been in,” Virk said.

Now, Virk wants his story to inspire future cadets to pursue their goals.

“You shouldn't have to choose between what you want to do and what your religion is or what your faith is,” Virk said.

“You should be able to do both. If it's something that means a lot to you, you should pursue it and see how it goes. It's never bad to ask the question — if you don't try, you won't find out.”

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: University of Iowa ROTC cadet breaks new ground for his Sikh faith