Eleanor Finch
Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution and serve the American people, not a single leader or political party. This is known as the military oath of enlistment or the military oath of office, and it is a promise that every service member must make and keep for their entire military career. The oath is as follows: 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military members swear an oath to the Constitution | Support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies |
| Military members serve the American people | Military leaders should be trusted for their expertise and judgment |
| Military members do not swear allegiance to a leader or party | Military members swear allegiance to a system of government |
| Military members are bound by the oath for a minimum of 4-6 years | Military members vow to face the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) in case of disputes |
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What You'll Learn
Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution, not a leader or party
Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution and the American people, not to any individual leader or political party. This is a foundational principle of the U.S. military, and it is emphasized in the oaths taken by both officers and enlisted service members. The oaths taken by military personnel are not to be taken lightly, as they form the basis of a nonpartisan ethic.
On their first day at West Point, cadets take an initial oath to the Constitution, and when they graduate and transition to becoming military officers, they take a similar oath, reaffirming their commitment. This oath is also reaffirmed during other major milestones such as graduations, promotions, and reenlistments. The course taught at West Point provides context and depth to help cadets understand the significance of their oath and its nonpartisan nature.
The oath of enlistment, taken by all service members, and the oath of office, taken by officers, both emphasize defending the Constitution rather than any individual. The exact wording of the oath of enlistment is as follows:
> "I, _____, 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."
The oath of office, taken by officers, includes similar wording:
> "I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the _____ (Military Branch) of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."
It is important to note that the oaths taken by military personnel have evolved over time as the relationship between the military and society has changed. While the primary commitment remains to defend the Constitution, enlisted service members also commit to obeying the orders of the President and their appointed officers. This aspect of the oath could be a cause for concern, as it may be construed as prioritizing obedience to an individual over principles. However, it is important to remember that the military is a hierarchical institution with checks and balances in place to prevent any single officer or elected official from easily directing actions that violate rules and professional expectations.
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The US military oath of enlistment
The oath itself states:
> "I, [name of enlistee], 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)."
The oath is a commitment to defend the Constitution and the nation, rather than any individual leader or political party. This is a unique aspect of the US military compared to other nations, where military personnel swear allegiance to a person or government entity. The US military oath underscores the importance of a nonpartisan military, serving the American people and upholding the values outlined in the Constitution.
The oath is taken upon enlistment, and it is reaffirmed during major milestones such as graduations, promotions, and reenlistments. The duration of service for each enlisted member is outlined in their contract, known as the DD Form 4 series, which specifies the active-duty or reserve enlistment period. For first-time enlistees, this typically ranges from two to six years, including a combination of active duty and time in a reserve component.
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The importance of officers' education about the Constitution
Military personnel swear allegiance to the Constitution and the American people, not to any individual leader or political party. This is a unique feature of the US military, as Justice Scalia pointed out. Military officers take an oath upon commissioning to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. This oath is taken seriously and is viewed as the foundation of a nonpartisan ethic.
Secondly, the military is a hierarchical institution, and officers play a crucial role in decision-making and resource allocation. Their understanding of the Constitution helps ensure that decisions made within the chain of command do not violate rules and professional expectations. This is particularly important given the current hyper-partisan political climate.
Furthermore, as stewards of the military profession, officers are responsible for shaping the values and behaviours of non-commissioned officers and enlisted service members, who make up more than 80% of the military. While these individuals also take an oath to defend the Constitution, they may not receive the same level of instruction on its importance.
Finally, the US military is unique in that it is ultimately answerable to the civilian government. Article I of the Constitution states that Congress declares war and funds the military, while Article II makes clear that the military must follow the orders of the democratically elected civilian president. This underscores the importance of officers understanding the system of government codified in the Constitution and their role within it.
In conclusion, the education of military officers about the Constitution is vital to ensuring that they uphold their oath to defend and support it. This education helps shape the values and behaviours of the entire military and ensures that the military remains accountable to the civilian government and the people it serves.
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The oath forms the basis of a nonpartisan ethic
The US military is unique in the world in that its members swear allegiance to a document that outlines its system of government, rather than to a leader or party. This is reflected in the oath of enlistment, which states that service members will "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic". The oath also includes a promise to "bear true faith and allegiance" to the Constitution and to obey the orders of the President and appointed officers.
The oath is taken very seriously by those who swear it and forms the basis of a nonpartisan ethic. Military personnel are expected to serve the American people and uphold the Constitution, rather than any one individual or political party. This is emphasized in courses taught at West Point, which provide context and depth to help cadets understand their oath. The instructors of these courses, who are often West Point graduates themselves, emphasize the rules and professional expectations associated with this responsibility.
The nonpartisan ethic of the military is further reinforced by the hierarchical structure of the institution, in which decisions are made and resources are allocated by officers in the chain of command. This structure helps to ensure that no single officer or elected official can easily direct the military to take actions that violate the rules and professional expectations associated with the oath. The military's allegiance to the Constitution is also reflected in the fact that graduations, promotions, reenlistments, and other major milestones are commemorated by service members reaffirming their commitment to the Constitution.
The nonpartisan ethic of the military is particularly important in the current hyperpartisan political climate. By teaching future officers the importance of their oath to the Constitution, instructors hope to shape the values and behaviors of all service members throughout their military careers. This is especially crucial given that more than 80% of the military is comprised of noncommissioned officers and enlisted service members who do not receive the same instruction on the oath and the importance of a nonpartisan military.
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The oath is reaffirmed at graduations, promotions, and other major milestones
The US military is unique in that its members swear allegiance to a document, the Constitution, rather than to a leader or a political party. This is to ensure that no one person has unchecked power to direct the military. The oath of enlistment is something that every service member must promise and adhere to for their entire military career.
On their first day at West Point, cadets take an oath to the Constitution. When they graduate, they take a similar oath, also to the Constitution, as they transition from cadet to military officer. This oath is then reaffirmed at graduations, promotions, and other major milestones throughout their military careers.
The oath is as follows:
> "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."
The oath is not taken lightly, and it forms the basis of a nonpartisan ethic. Military officers are expected to be trusted for their expertise and judgment, not for their loyalty to an individual or political party.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, military members swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. They pledge allegiance to a document that outlines their government, rather than to a leader or party.
The oath of enlistment, also known as the military oath of office, is:
> "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."
Military members swear this oath when they first join the military and again at various milestones throughout their careers, such as graduations, promotions, and reenlistments.
