Chirag Veer Singh Sarao has become the first ‘keshdhari’ Sikh American to join the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. Photo: americansikhcouncil.org
Chirag Veer Singh Sarao has become the first ‘keshdhari’ Sikh American to join the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the American Sikh Council said.
A ‘keshdhari’ Sikh maintains unshorn hair (kesh) and beard as articles of faith.
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Mr. Sarao was appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) on April 4 and received the ‘religious accommodation’ on June 20 to serve with his articles of faith and remain grounded in his core identity, the Council said.
He officially joined the USAF Academy on June 24, on In-Processing Day (I-Day) and is currently undergoing six weeks of boot camp.
Before joining the USAF Academy, Mr. Sarao also received full scholarships from both the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the Naval ROTC. He was also accepted into the University of Southern California and the University of Washington.
The Council said Mr. Sarao had a strong academic record, was an Eagle Scout, held a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and competed on the varsity water polo team.
The United States Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs, is one of the five federal service academies.
It provides undergraduate education combined with military and leadership training, with graduates commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Space Force.
Published – July 14, 2026 12:09 pm IST
