Norse pagan troops across the military can rejoice — a member of the Nevada Army National Guard has been granted a religious waiver to grow a warrior-like beard.
Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper successfully cited Army regulations on his way to sporting a “skegg” during his deployment to Afghanistan.
The explosive ordnance disposal technician was interviewed by a chaplain who vouched for his sincerity.
“My personal faith is deeply tied to the modern warrior lifestyle that I have been able to live during my military career,” the NCO said in a recent statement by the Nevada National Guard. “In short, it is honoring the pillars of Heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.”
Maj. Donald Crandell, chaplain for the Nevada Joint Force, stressed that the chaplain corps is not “actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.”
A similar request was granted in 2018 by Col. Curtis Shroeder of the 795th Military Police Battalion in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
“In observance of your Heathen; Norse Pagan faith, you may wear a beard, in accordance with Army uniform and grooming standards for soldiers with approved religious accommodations,” the officer wrote to a soldier whose identity was redacted in public documents, Army Times reported in April 2018.
The VA National Cemetery Administration website also states that the Hammer of Thor may be also placed on government headstones and markers of Norse pagan soldiers.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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