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Draft:Kanwar Singh (United States)

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Kanwar Singh
Kanwar Singh US Army Portrait
Singh in 2023
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service2015–present
Rank Captain
AwardsArmy Commendation Medal (2)
Air Force Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Alma mater

Kanwar Singh (born 1989) is an entrepreneur, US Army officer and advocate for civil rights and religious freedoms.

He became the first Sikh to complete the Officer Candidate School (United States Army) program in the 21st century with his articles of faith. He commissioned as a US Army officer (Signal Corps) in 2018, and continues to serve in the Massachusetts National Guard.[1]

As the CEO of Skyline Nav AI, Kanwar is leading the development of a GPS-independent navigation capability for use on land, air, sea and space using computer vision.[2] Under his leadership, the company won the 2023 NASA Entrepreneurs Challenge as the only position and navigation company and is working towards deploying its capability on the lunar surface.[3]

After completing the 26.2-mile 2024 Boston Marathon march in his US Army uniform and finishing in first place, he raised awareness about veteran suicide by doing 22 push-ups at the finish line.[4]

Early life and education

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Kanwar Singh is a first-generation American and a devout Sikh. Born into a Sikh family in New Delhi, Singh's upbringing was rooted in the principles of his faith, which emphasizes service, equality, and justice. He immigrated to the United States at the age 17.[5]

Singh studied at Virginia Commonwealth University, graduating in 2011. He later completed graduate degrees in computer science, finance, accounting, and management from Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts Boston.[5]

Kanwar Singh at 2024 Imagination in Action conference at MIT.

Military Career

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Singh's journey into the U.S. military was fraught with challenges due to his religious beliefs. As an observant Sikh, he maintains unshorn hair, a beard, and wears a turban, all of which were initially prohibited by the U.S. Army's grooming standards.[6] Inspired by Senator John McCain's call to service and the resilience of survivors of the Boston Marathon attack, Singh decided to enlist in the Massachusetts Army National Guard in 2014.[7]

However, Singh faced significant obstacles as the military required him to abandon his articles of faith. He was rejected 16 times by the US Army, primarily due to his religious beliefs, but continued to lobby bipartisan elected leaders in the United States Congress, senior leaders at The Pentagon and senior White House officials for his enlistment. Refusing to compromise on his religious beliefs, Singh, with the support of the Sikh Coalition, McDermott, Will & Emery, and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, fought a legal battle against the U.S. Department of Defense.[8] In 2016, this effort culminated when the U.S. Army granted him and other observant Sikhs religious accommodations, allowing them to serve while maintaining their religious articles of faith.[5]

Lieutenant Singh commissioning ceremony on USS Constitution on August 5, 2018.

In August 2018, after years of perseverance, Singh commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.[9] His commissioning ceremony was a significant moment, marking not only the culmination of his personal struggle but also paving the way for other religious minorities to serve in the U.S. military without abandoning their faith.[7]

Singh was promoted to first lieutenant in June 2020, and Captain in March 2023. As a Signal Corps officer, he has led soldiers in various operations, including humanitarian and homeland security missions during the COVID-19 pandemic in his home state of Massachusetts.[5]

Singh has been recognized for his leadership and innovation, receiving numerous awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, Norwegian Foot March among others.[5]

Lieutenant Kanwar Singh receiving the Army Commendation Medal from a General Officer in the US Army.
Lieutenant Kanwar Singh receiving the Army Commendation Medal from a General Officer in the US Army.

Advocacy and impact

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Beyond his military service, Kanwar Singh is an advocate for religious freedom and civil rights. His struggle to serve in the U.S. military while maintaining his Sikh identity has been a part of a broader civil rights movement that challenges and changes discriminatory policies.[10] Singh has publicly spoken about the significance of diversity and inclusion in the military, emphasizing that patriotism and religious faith are not mutually exclusive.[11]

Singh's efforts have had a lasting impact on the U.S. military. The 2017 policy change that allowed Sikhs in the United States military and members of other faiths to maintain their religious practices while serving was a milestone in the fight for equal opportunity.[8] This change has since enabled thousands of American Sikhs and other religious minorities to serve their country without compromising their beliefs.[5] Women no longer have to keep their hair in a bun. African American women no longer have to straighten their hair. Kanwar played a small role in breaking down these barriers and ensuring that every qualified American can serve their nation in uniform.[12]

Civilian Career

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Kanwar Singh during the Air Force Labs program at MassChallenge on June 25, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts

Outside of his military career, Singh is the CEO of Skyline Nav AI, a company specializing in visual position and navigation technology. The company develops solutions that provide reliable navigation in environments where traditional GPS systems fail.[13]

He has grown the company through partnerships with companies and organizations such as US Air Force[14], NASA[15], BAE Systems[16], Kearfott Corporation[17] and many others.

Personal Life

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Captain Singh crossing the finish line during the 2024 Boston Marathon Military March on April 15, 2024.

Kanwar Singh continues to be an advocate for civil rights and religious freedom. He has authored several articles and commentaries, where he shares his experiences and thoughts on faith, service, and the challenges faced by minorities in the U.S. [11] His writings often reflect on the broader implications of his journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the pursuit of justice.[10]

After completing the 26.2-mile 2024 Boston Marathon march in his US Army uniform and finishing in first place, he raised awareness about veteran suicide by doing 22 push-ups at the finish line.[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Quindara, Henry. "Sikh American soldier fights to honor his religion and country". USA Today. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  2. ^ "Innovation on display at Air Force Labs showcase". US Air Force (Hanscom AFB). Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "NASA Names Winners of 2023 NASA Entrepreneurs Challenge". NASA. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  4. ^ Tran, Susan (April 18, 2023). "Highlights From Marathon Monday in Boston". NBC. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Lacdan, Joseph (September 24, 2020). "For Massachusetts Soldier, Path to Military Service Was a Spiritual One". U.S. Army News Service. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Rios, Simon (April 28, 2017). "Sikh Man Heads To Pentagon As A Soldier After Long Struggle To Join U.S. Forces". WBUR. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Equal Opportunity in the U.S. Military - First Lieutenant Kanwar Singh". Sikh Coalition. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Singh v. McConville". Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Rios, Simon (August 7, 2018). "Sikh Man Paves Way To Serve Country While Staying True To Faith". WBUR. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Singh, Kanwar (July 22, 2019). "My Response To The Woman Who Told Me To 'Go Back'". WBUR. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Singh, Kanwar (August 8, 2022). "10 years after the massacre in Oak Creek, I remain committed to my faith — and my country". WBUR. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "Hair and Appearance Guidelines". US Army (Army.mil). May 4, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  13. ^ "Innovation on display at Air Force Labs showcase". US Air Force (Hanscom AFB). Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  14. ^ "Skyline Nav AI, Draper Win Contract with Air Force Research Lab to Add Visual Localization to ATAK". Draper Labs. May 18, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  15. ^ "NASA Names Winners of 2023 NASA Entrepreneurs Challenge". NASA. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  16. ^ "Skyline Nav AI Selected for BAE Systems Technology Mentorship Program". MassChallenge.
  17. ^ "Kearfott and Skyline Nav AI Unite to Build Next Generation Position and Navigation Platform". Kearfott Corporation. July 25, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  18. ^ Tran, Susan (April 18, 2023). "Highlights From Marathon Monday in Boston". NBC. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
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