BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Sikhs across the country and here locally are outraged over two men who want to join the military, but will have to give up articles of their faith while in uniform.

The army told the men they could not wear turbans and would have to cut their hair to join.

A Sikh doctor and dentist completed a program to receive medical education through the army in exchange for service in the military, but as the men are set to enter active duty, the army told them two things that identify them as Sikhs, their turbans and their hair would have to be removed.

Captain Kamaljit Singh Kalsi, a doctor, and 2nd Lieutenant Tejdeep Singh Rattan, a dentist, said the US Army is forcing them to choose between their faith and the military.

Because their faith requires them to wear a turban and not cut their hair, the army told them those two things that identify them as Sikhs, would not be allowed while on active duty, and that has Sikhs across the country and in Bakersfield, up in arms over the policy.

Several local Sikhs think it doesn't help to turn away anyone willing to serve.

"I think they should take anyone who's willing to serve," Jasmeet Bains said. "I don't think they're in a position to force people to choose."

Gurvijay Singh, a local Sikh, said he recalls stories his great-grandfather told him about serving in WWII.

"He would take off his turban and bullets would fall out," he said. "It's actually very protective of the head."

The army banned many articles of faith for new recruits in 1981.

Sikh community members said they don't understand how Sikhs in the United States are being forced to choose, while others in armies around the world are not.

"Sikhs serve in the British Army, the Indian Army, even in places like Canada and Sweden," Devinder Singh Bains said. "It's not a fashion statement. It's an article of faith."

Tuesday morning, the National Sikh Coalition is launching a campaign to get the decision reversed, by filing a complaint with the Defense Department's inspector general.