Omar Bennett
The oath of enlistment is a requirement for anyone joining the US military. It is a promise that every service member must adhere to throughout their military career. The oath is a solemn pledge to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Those enlisting in the National Guard, specifically, swear to defend the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of their state. This oath has evolved over time, with the first oaths given to those serving under the Continental Army in 1775, and it continues to be a sacred tradition for those serving in the US military today.
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What You'll Learn
The oath of enlistment
The current version of the Oath of Enlistment states:
> I, [name of enlistee], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of [state] against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of [applicable state] and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations (or Uniform Code of Military Justice). So help me God.
The reference to "them" in the oath was replaced with "it" during the American Civil War to reflect the shifting attitude of viewing the United States as a single entity rather than a collection of smaller ones. The conflict also resulted in the addition of the phrases "all enemies, foreign and domestic" and "without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion." In 1868, the officer's oath was simplified, and by 1862, the enlisted oath read:
> 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.
It is important to note that officers do not take the same oath as enlisted personnel but instead take a similar United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office. The Oath of Enlistment does not specify a duration, and the term of service for each enlisted person is outlined in the DD Form 4 series contract, which can range from two to six years for first-time enlistees.
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The oath of office
The history of the oath of office dates back to the earliest days of the nation, with the first oaths administered to those serving under the Continental Army in 1775. Over time, the oath has evolved, reflecting the changing nature of the nation and its military. Initially, the oath focused on the independence of the 13 states and loyalty to the United States, with a later update in 1776 adding a commitment to "serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies opposers whatsoever".
In 1789, the oath underwent a significant change, placing allegiance to the Constitution of the United States at the forefront. This shift underscored the importance of defending the nation's founding principles and the rule of law. As the nation grappled with the American Civil War, the oath was again modified to address the realities of a divided country. The phrase "all enemies, foreign and domestic" was included, acknowledging the presence of Confederate sympathizers within the Union.
Today, the oath of office for the National Guard, as outlined in the 32 U.S.C. § 304, includes a commitment to defend both the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the respective state. It reads: "I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State [name of state] against all enemies, foreign and 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 on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
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The National Guard's additional oath
The National Guard is a reserve force that can be activated in the service of their state in times of local or state emergency, in addition to federal activation. National Guard officers are committed to the authority of the governor of their state and of the President of the United States.
Everyone who joins the military, including the National Guard, must swear the military oath of enlistment or the military oath of office. This oath is binding for a minimum of four to six years. The oath of enlistment is something that every service member must promise and adhere to for their entire military career.
The oath of enlistment for the National Guard includes an additional component compared to the standard oath. The standard oath of enlistment, as outlined in the United States Code, states:
> "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."
The additional oath that officers of the National Guard take is as follows:
> "I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of [state] against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."
This additional oath underscores the unique role of the National Guard in serving both the federal government and their specific state, reinforcing their commitment to defend and uphold the Constitutions of both entities.
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The first oaths of office
The oath was first updated in September 1776, after the Declaration of Independence, to swear to be "true to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies opposers whatsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the Continental Congress and the orders of the Generals and officers set over me by them".
In 1789, the oath was changed to place allegiance to the Constitution of the United States at the beginning. This was also the year that George Washington took the presidential oath, which has remained unchanged since.
The oath was simplified in 1868 to:
> "I, A.B., 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; 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 on which I am about to enter."
The phrase "so help me God" has been part of the official oath of office for non-presidential offices since 1862. The oath used today has not changed since 1966 and is prescribed in Title 5, Section 3331 of the United States Code.
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The enlisted oath
The oath of enlistment is a pledge that every member of the military must take upon joining the armed forces. The oath is a promise that service members must adhere to for their entire military career, typically a minimum of 4-6 years. The oath is a solemn commitment to defend the Constitution of the United States and uphold its values, not only against foreign enemies but also against domestic threats.
The current version of the enlisted oath, as of 1862, reads:
> "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."
This oath has undergone revisions over time to reflect the changing political landscape of the nation. The first oaths of office were given to those serving under the Continental Army, beginning in 1775, where soldiers swore to keep the 13 states "free, independent, and sovereign" and to defend them against King George III of Great Britain. After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the oath was updated to swear allegiance to the United States of America and to serve them "honestly and faithfully against all their enemies opposers whatsoever."
In 1789, the oath was revised again to place allegiance to the Constitution of the United States at the beginning. The reference to "them" was changed to "it" during the American Civil War to reflect the shifting attitude of viewing the United States as a unified entity. The conflict also resulted in the addition of phrases like "all enemies, foreign and domestic," and "without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion."
Today, the enlisted oath is a reminder of the duty to defend the nation and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution. It is a sacred commitment that binds those in military service together and guides their conduct during their time in the armed forces.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all members of the National Guard swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of their specific State.
The oath is as follows: "I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of [state] against all enemies, foreign and 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 on which I am about to enter. So help me God."
Yes, the oath of enlistment is taken by all service members and is binding for their entire military career. The oath of office, on the other hand, is taken by those entering as officers.
The first oaths of office were given to those serving under the Continental Army in 1775. Over time, the oath has undergone revisions, with the focus shifting from allegiance to individual states to the Constitution of the United States as a whole.
