It's the case of an Orthodox Jewish rabbi from Brooklyn vs. the U.S. Army. Menachem M. Stern of the Chabad-Luvabitch community, a Hasidic group in Brooklyn, alleges in federal court that the U.S. Army has denied him the right to serve as an Army chaplain because his faith prohibits him from shaving his beard.
Last we checked, it's 2010, and seems downright ridiculous that the current Army grooming standards do not allow beards. Stern says the Army rules, which only apply on entering service and can be waived for those who cannot shave for medical reasons, are discriminatory and violate the Constitution.
We felt the latter point in this comment summed it up best: "I'm sure the Army has good reasons for it's no-beard policy, but there are also good reasons to ensure that the core of chaplains serving our nation's brave servicemen and women is as diverse as those in need of their ministry."
