>> i remember one of the hardest things to do was look in the mirror the next day and have that self-image of yourself just shattered completely of what a good sikh is supposed to be. >> reporter: did it look like yourself? >> it was hard to adjust, you know. >> reporter: last february after a decade of service that included being awarded a bronze star for valor for defusing ieds de afghanistan, singh decided to stand up for his beliefs. he took the army to court, seeking a religious accommodation to wear his turban and grow a beard. he won. when you got word that day, what nds that like? >> after 10 years i was like, wow it finally happened and i was extremely excited about ndat. ou reporter: even his commanding officer, major vanessa bowman, agreed that it was time for a change. it didn't create any tension or anything. >> it didn't create any tension for us in the office. captain singh is a very professional officer. he comes to work. he does his job. >> reporter: singh says sikhism is a religion based on service to others.