#Enlisted oath code

So, what I am saying is we should have known what we were getting into. When I read this part, I wondered if we took the oath freely, why do we have so many breaches in discipline?īefore we ever really do anything in the military, we must accept the oath.

#Enlisted oath code

I would and will obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to regulations and the uniformed code of military justice, so help me God. I would also maintain my loyalty and duty to her because she is a part of me. I would have faith America would do whatever she could to secure my freedom. So now, what about faith and allegiance? I would have faith in my country especially if I fell into enemy hands. To answer my nation's call, I would support the oath I took on foreign lands.īut the oath also stated domestic enemies, so that meant I might have to make a defensive stance in my own country - against my fellow Americans.Īfter a few moments of reflection, and looking to the Man Upstairs, the answer to all was an emphatic 'yes, if I had to.' I might have to do it far removed from the safety of our country - but the country would be safe, or so I thought.Īs we all know 9-11 took care of that so-called safety reassurance. I would do so against all enemies meaning I might have to fight to save my life, or another's, or our way of life. I would be defending the framework and the beliefs of a nation. Will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. As I replayed the words in my head again, I remembered. I'm not sure why, but I was young, I really felt a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself.Īfter the feelings of patriotism and invincibility passed, a sense of nervousness came over me. Was I prepared to follow through on this oath?Īs soon as he had administered the Oath of Enlistment, I immediately felt a strong sense of patriotism. I thought to myself this is not a joke - this is real. It seemed as if time stood still, because I mentally paused and reflected on the words I was repeating.

We raised our right hands, as he asked us to, and began to recite after him. At this point, I had never heard the words so I had no idea as to what we were going to say. An officer entered and said he was going to administer the Oath of Enlistment to all of us. I stood in a room with at least 40 or 50 other people, all standing at what we called 'attention,' facing the front of the room. I was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina going through my preparations to enlist in the U.S. I distinctly remember being administered the oath 28 years ago, almost as if it was just yesterday. While it is part of the ceremony it is far more than a simple gesture or a formality to get through before the document signing if reenlisting or the refreshments after the ceremony.

I think some view it as a ceremonial gesture. This is a joyous occasion, either we are continuing our service or maybe receiving our next promotion. We often reaffirm the oath during reenlistments for enlisted members and during promotions for enlisted and officers.

But I wonder if some of us who say those words that form the oath fully embrace what they mean and do we let them guide our military service. It forms the bedrock of what we stand for and are willing to fight for. Immediately I thought to myself, the oath is a major part of who we are in the military. The other day I was reviewing Air Force Instruction 1-1, Air Force Standards, when I came across the Oath of Enlistment.