First Keshdhari Sikh American joins US Air Force Academy with religious accommodation

Highlights:

Chirag Veer Singh Sarao has become the first Keshdhari Sikh American admitted to the US Air Force Academy and will maintain his unshorn hair and beard, important tenets of Sikhism.

A ‘keshdhari’ Sikh maintains unshorn hair (kesh) and beard, which falls under religious accommodation, allowing him to serve without compromising his identity.

Sarao received his appointment to the academy in Colorado Springs on April 4. On June 20, the US Air Force Academy formally approved his religious accommodation, and four days later, he reported for In-Processing Day to begin the academy's rigorous six-week basic cadet training.

Prior to accepting his appointment, Sarao earned full scholarships from both the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and the Naval ROTC. He was also accepted to the University of Southern California and the University of Washington.

Singh told the Sikh American Council, “Thank you for your consistent support throughout my application process and high school. I truly could not have done this without your help.”

An Eagle Scout, Sarao spent two years serving as president of his local Venture Crew, a co-education scouting program focused on outdoor leadership.

He also led youth expeditions that included backpacking, white-water rafting, and winter snowshoeing trips, developing skills in teamwork, decision-making and resilience.

Throughout high school, Sarao received mentorship from the American Sikh Council, where he was guided by Kavneet Singh, who also serves as an honorary recruiter for the US Air Force Academy. Sarao volunteered at his local gurdwara, teaching younger children about Sikh history, values, and Punjabi culture.

The American Sikh Council has congratulated Singh, saying, “We hope and trust that Chirag Veer Singh will shine and be the trailblazer not only for the Sikh American community, but for all Americans, setting the standard for a citizen exemplar.”

The council, in collaboration with the US Air Force, started the ‘Flying Scholarship’ for Sikh American high-school students in 2022, with a focus on leadership and flying classes. This scholarship is worth $12,500, with approximately 3,500 applicants, for 72 slots.

For now, Sarao remains immersed in Basic Cadet Training, where first-year cadets undergo intensive physical, academic, and military instruction. Like all incoming cadets, he is currently under the academy's communications restrictions and is expected to resume public engagements after completing training.