Joining The Army: A Look At The Oath Of Enlistment
There are some oaths that people do not take seriously; they are merely repeated without much meaning
. When it comes to the ultimate service for one's country and fellow countrymen, the Oath of Enlistment is not just lip service. Army enlistment and federal law requires the speaking of this Oath; it is a sacred institution that every member of the armed services should be proud to recite and honor through every action they take.The First Oath
The Oath was introduced by the first patriots this country ever saw, those brave souls who fought for our independence starting in 1775. The Continental Congress established the first Oath that fateful summer when our democracy was declared. The enlisted men of the first Continental Army pledged their service to the first American army and armed service ever created. This first Oath was only for a one year term of service, but over time nearly every man came back for the entire length of the struggled for independence. One can only imagine what it must have felt like to speak the first Oath before an American hero such as George Washington or Nathanael Greene and to breathe life to our country.
Today's Oath
Every person who undergoes Army enlistment or reenlistment, including service in the National Guard, is required to speak the Oath before a commissioned officer. The recruit speaks the Oath under our nation's flag, state flag, and in front of his or her unit's guidon. The original Oath was modified throughout the Revolutionary war and its aftermath and then was finalized by constitutional amendment in 1962. The Oath no longer specifies a specific term of service; instead, a recruit's contract specifies the service length. Yet, the Oath is higher than a contract, it is a commitment to a nations ideals.
The Oath
And here are those immoral words that commit a dedicated man or woman to serve their country:
"I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I 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 Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Take special notice that the Oath is a sworn pledge to protect the Constitution, and not a specific person or place. This promise is above and beyond personal goals or ambitions; it is about the values of an entire nation. The discipline that is essential to the safety and effectiveness of each individual within the military is clearly laid out in plain language right from the beginning. The Oath is in effect for the entire career of a person in the armed service.
Enjoy the honor afforded to a select few who can rise to the occasion when the time comes!
by: Chris Harmen