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President Obama greets Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh during his visit to New Delhi. He is the only ‘Five Star’ rank officer in the Indian Air Force. The Indian armed forces have had only three officers who have reached the rank of Marshal, the highest honorary rank possible. The two had a quick casual conversation, […]

President Obama greets Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh during his visit to New Delhi. He is the only ‘Five Star’ rank officer in the Indian Air Force. The Indian armed forces have had only three officers who have reached the rank of Marshal, the highest honorary rank possible.

The two had a quick casual conversation, and the hope is President Obama will allow Sikhs to serve in the United States Army after seeing representation of Sikh serving in Indian armed forces.

The United States Govt has a ban on the Turban and Beard in the armed forces. Major Kamal Kalsi and the Sikh Coalition have worked tirelessly the past few years to get the United States military to give Sikhs an exception to the rule due to religious reasons. The hope is that after seeing so many Sikhs in the Indian military and watching the Sikh Regiment parade on republic day maybe Obama will push to have the rule changed.

Arjan Singh was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his leadership of the air force, and subsequently in recognition of the air force’s contribution in the war, the rank of the CAS was upgraded to that of Air Chief Marshal and Arjan Singh became the first Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force.

~ Source: Bharat Rakshak