Sikhs and Sikh Americans have served in the United States military since World War I through all subsequent wars. Since the 1980s, observant Sikhs have faced difficulty in serving due to a discontinuation of exemptions to uniform standards which previously allowed Sikhs to maintain their religiously-mandated beards and turbans while in uniform. Sikh and Warrior Association Sikhs are associated with being good warriors for several reasons, one being their religious practices and their values. A Sikh is expected to always carry five items on them to honor The Five Ks (Punjabi: ਪੰਜ ਕਕਾਰ Pañj Kakār), which is a foundational element of the Sikh religion. The five items include kesh (an uncut beard), kangha (a wooden comb), kara (an iron bracelet), kachera (cotton underpants), and kirpan (a small knife). Each of these five items serve as symbols that uphold integrity, discipline, righteousness, and honesty, which contribute to the resemblance to warrior characteristics. Besides the idea that Sikh's core values align with those of a warrior, their reputation for being good soldiers can also be traced back to Guru Hargobind, who was the sixth of the ten Sikh gurus in the religion. In the 1600s, Guru Hargobind emphasized the importance of a military. He created an army of Sikhs, trained them, and inspired them to defend and protect. He was a great influence on the core principles of the religion, as he formed an enthusiastic group of Sikh warriors. Additionally, the colonization by the British also contributed to their strong warrior reputation. When the British were building an Indian army during World War I, they mainly aimed to enlist Sikhs. World War I and World War II One of the earliest Sikh soldiers in the American military was Bhagat Singh Thind, who although not a U.S. citizen enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War I. Bhagat Singh Thind was the first Sikh in US military service to be granted the right to wear a turban while on active duty in the US Army. Thind requested citizenship at the end of the war, but was refused. He was granted citizenship in 1936. Sikh participation as a part of U.S. forces in World War I was limited due to their small population in the country, but 138,000 Sikhs served in other Allied forces. Large numbers of Sikhs served in U.S. forces during World War II, and all American wars following.