Judge orders accused Fort Hood shooter to have his beard shaved

[msanthrope]

88. First, strict scutiny analysis doesn't apply to the UCMJ. Read Parker v. Levy and Quarles.

The authority for the UCMJ derives from Article 1, sec. 8, clause 14, and therefore, while soldiers do not lose all constitutional protections, they can be restricted. For example, in the military I can own literature from the KKK, but I cannot be a member of the KKK.

Second, application of 10 USC 774 allows him to wear religious items as authorized by his Secretary, but Army Reg 670-1 is pretty clear--no beards except for medical reasons.
http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r670_1.pdf

Third--having a beard would prejudice him with the members who will hear his court martial, and who are well-aware of regulations. They would know he was in violation of code.

Fourth--downthread, you want to know why he can't be discharged, then tried. Well, that would violate his constitutional rights--the military court does have jurisdiction over you once you have left the service, even for acts you did while in service. (Quarles.)

He gets shaved. Better that the judge commits a 1st amendment violation which won't overturn a criminal conviction, than a violation that would, such as a DP or EP one.