May

U.S. Army Captain | Washington, D.C. Captain Simratpal Singh was born in Punjab, India in 1987 and immigrated to the United States as a child. Growing up, he admired his great grandfather's British Indian military career and believed in the shared principles of his Sikh faith and military service — discipline, self-sacrifice and service to others.

After enrolling at West Point in 2006, he made attempts to obtain a religious accommodation, but was forced to conform by removing his turban and cutting his hair. After numerous promotions and a Bronze Star, he remained tormented by this decision and vowed to one day return to his articles of faith. In a 2016 landmark legal decision, Captain Singh became the first active duty Sikh soldier to maintain his articles of faith while actively serving in the U.S. Army.