Posted on Dec 13, 2013
United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office
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It's been awhile since I have read this oath of ours.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Uniformed_Services_Oath_of_Office
Wondering what our military servicemembers think about that oath, and how it applies domestically, given some of the unrest we see and hear pretty often. People are charged up. Politicians seem to enjoy having us at each other's throats.
I know that when I was IN the military, I had a certain view of the world. My perspective has since changed, now that I'm out of the service, raising a family, working each day, and trying to make ends meet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Uniformed_Services_Oath_of_Office
Wondering what our military servicemembers think about that oath, and how it applies domestically, given some of the unrest we see and hear pretty often. People are charged up. Politicians seem to enjoy having us at each other's throats.
I know that when I was IN the military, I had a certain view of the world. My perspective has since changed, now that I'm out of the service, raising a family, working each day, and trying to make ends meet.
Posted in these groups: 
Politics
Politics
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Anthony, the Oath we take is for LIFE, they don't 'take it away' when you retire or separate! I first took it in 1963 when I enlisted and then in 1967, upon commissioning -and it is MORE real and important to me today, with better understanding of what it means!
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I for one believe in this Oath. I look at things a lot differently since I joined later in my life. I joined at 31, so I think it meant more to me than some of the younger guys. I am now 34 serving in a prestigious position. Thank you for your service Cpl Pearson.
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Well, I took the Oath of Enlistment... but I take it very seriously... if I am given an unlawful order, I will NOT follow it. I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against ALL enemies... Foreign AND Domestic.
That being said, I do not relish the thought of being caught in between the constitution and an order from the President or an officer appointed over me...
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SPC Christopher Morehouse
Sadly the fact of the matter is the government is already ignoring the constitution, has been for years, and it doesn't seem to be an issue. And make note, it is the constitution, the highest law of our nation, we were all sworn to protect. Unfortunately I do not believe the letter of that oath is taken seriously any longer. Ingrained even more into our military culture is the concept of the military being subservient to a civilian government. Which is the way it should be, do doubt, assuming that government is operating within the law. But it would seem that not being involved with politics has trumped insuring the integrity of the constitution as our military role in our national culture. Despite every soldier, airmen, sailor and marine swearing to uphold the constitution no matter what, it is completely taboo, to the point of criminal, to even contemplate anyone in the military so much as criticizing the acts of civilian government officials even if they are blatantly violating the spirit or letter of our highest laws.
I was actually thinking back to basic training recently, and the 'Smart Book' they gave you that you had to have with you at all times. A big lump of everything you needed to know to be in the Army. Standing orders, what ranks where what, field dressing, mop gear, PMI, you know the one. Hell it even had the Army song in it, and of course it had the Oath of Enlistment.
You know what I think they should hand out at boot, right along with that smart book? A little pocket constitution. I remember having that smart book pretty much memorized from cover to cover by the end of Basic, I don't think it would be unreasonable to expect our soldiers to understand the constitution by the end of basic as well. Shit, we did all swear our lives to protect it. And remember, there is an order to the oath, and it is not meaningless. You swear to protect the constitution first, and then obey all orders of the president, then your officers. The priorities listed there, should there ever be a conflict between them, are pretty clear.
I was actually thinking back to basic training recently, and the 'Smart Book' they gave you that you had to have with you at all times. A big lump of everything you needed to know to be in the Army. Standing orders, what ranks where what, field dressing, mop gear, PMI, you know the one. Hell it even had the Army song in it, and of course it had the Oath of Enlistment.
You know what I think they should hand out at boot, right along with that smart book? A little pocket constitution. I remember having that smart book pretty much memorized from cover to cover by the end of Basic, I don't think it would be unreasonable to expect our soldiers to understand the constitution by the end of basic as well. Shit, we did all swear our lives to protect it. And remember, there is an order to the oath, and it is not meaningless. You swear to protect the constitution first, and then obey all orders of the president, then your officers. The priorities listed there, should there ever be a conflict between them, are pretty clear.
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Cpl Anthony Pearson
outstanding response, and thank you for taking the time to share that with us. I agree with you, completely.
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Cpl Anthony Pearson
I meant to share the Oath of Enlistment. It is quite similar, so please forgive the mix up.
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