A Sikh army captain who sued the U.S. military for discrimination in March has won the right to continue serving on active duty while upholding his religiously mandated turban and beard.

The U.S. Army released its decision on Thursday to grant Captain Simratpal Singh "religious accommodation" to the rules against facial hair and headwear, adding that "the Army intends to gather information to develop uniform standards for religious accommodations."

My military service continues to fulfill a lifelong dream, Singh, a West Point graduate who earned a Bronze Star in Afghanistan, said in a press release. My faith, like many of the soldiers I work with, is an integral part of who I am. I am thankful that I no longer have to make the choice between faith and service to our nation.