Should All Able Americans Be Required To Know the Constitution that we pledge our lives to defend?

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Tue, 23 May 2017 20:21:58 -0400

While troops and Vets come from varied political ideologies, One thing most of us agree upon is the sanctity of our Constitution. I believe that we as a people are losing national cohesion because we are not required to know the content of the document and supporting doc.s that bind us all together as Americans

Response by Maj William W. 'Bill' Price made May 23 at 2017 8:24 PM

Maj William W. 'Bill' Price — Tue, 23 May 2017 20:24:35 -0400

SGT Bryan O'Reilly A full throated YES. Thank you for your post.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 8:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 20:25:21 -0400

SGT Bryan O'Reilly - They should know where to find it - look things up - and share it with others who may be so inclined. Maybe they should be given a full copy in a little red book? Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 8:31 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 20:31:16 -0400

LOL Our elected officials don't even know it.

I think everyone should have been exposed to it and have at least have some basic knowledge of it.

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made May 23 at 2017 8:31 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Tue, 23 May 2017 20:31:53 -0400

We had to learn rhe Preamble to the Constitution in high school. It pretty much sums it up.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"

Response by Maj John Bell made May 23 at 2017 8:32 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 23 May 2017 20:32:34 -0400

Way back when I went to High School (when saber toothed lions chased us to morning classes) The first nine weeks of a two semester class was spent on the American Constitution and the documents/events from European history that influenced its contents. We also had to read the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made May 23 at 2017 10:08 PM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:08:25 -0400

I'd say that comprehension of the constitution should be a prerequisite to voting- and I think that it should be mandatory study during basic training for SMs. So the answer is yes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 10:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:20:26 -0400

What? The whole thing? I can barely remember the NCO Creed! lol

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made May 24 at 2017 4:59 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Wed, 24 May 2017 04:59:58 -0400

Thank you, RP family. I have tried to keep this thread as apolitical as possible because I see this as a growing threat to all our freedoms. Case in point. the 2nd amendment is not a privilege it is a birthright. and with 300m weapons estimated to be in the public at any given time, you would think a responsible parent would want to safeguard their children by teaching them small arms safety. because at some point their child will encounter a weapon and the younger they are when taught the less their likelihood of becoming fascinated by them later Yet a great number of Americans do not make the connection. I believe the constitution should be part of pub school curricula and that upon graduating high school Americans should have to take a citizenship test. If they do not want to have their kid learn safety then they should be required to sign a waiver but the rest of the const. we should be as fluent in as basic math and English.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 24 at 2017 5:52 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 24 May 2017 05:52:19 -0400

It wouldn't hurt them to have at least an understanding of it.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 24 at 2017 6:10 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 24 May 2017 06:10:25 -0400

You have to define what "know the Constitution" means. Does it mean rote memorization of the words, in the right sequence? The dates it was ratified, who and how it was written, how it has been amended etc.

I think there is a real value in instruction in school on our founding, our founding documents, the concepts of liberty and rights endowed by our creator, the American experiment, our government and institutions etc. We used to have classes on American History, American Democracy, Civics etc that taught all of these things. For some reason, we have abandoned them and what has filled the void is a poor substitute.

We have millions of people that think they know what their rights are, although most don't, but they have no concept of responsibilities.

So yes, it should be taught in grade school, high school, college etc. Some sit through these classes and still end up with precious little knowledge of the founding documents. While you can require a class or two, making someone learn it correctly and apply it correctly are different matters.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 8:56 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:56:37 -0400

Back in my day we were schooled on this throughout middle school and high school. It wouldn't surprise me if they leave it out or pervert it these days..

Response by MSgt Stephen Council made May 24 at 2017 8:59 AM

MSgt Stephen Council — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:59:44 -0400

SGT Bryan O'Reilly Nope. They should WANT to know it, but we defend their right to ignore it if they choose.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made May 24 at 2017 9:48 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Wed, 24 May 2017 09:48:56 -0400

We got folks in this country who couldn't even identify the Vice-President of the United States even after 8 years of him being in office! Do you really think this would happen? Don't get me wrong, I agree with you, but unless Kim Kardashian or some rapper or actor is affixed to this, there are whole generations who have never been given the opportunity to care about this document.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 24 at 2017 10:47 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 24 May 2017 10:47:05 -0400

I think a fuller examination of the Constitution, and the historical environment that gave rise to it would be an outstanding idea. The only caveat is that it might help to narrow down the term "know the Constitution" first.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 12:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:24:35 -0400

SGT Bryan O'Reilly Yes! I remember we had to memorized the Preamble & Bill of Rights in order to pass Civics in 6th grade. This is a sad reality that it is not required anymore - much less is a Civics class.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 12:51 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:51:01 -0400

Don't know how you would quantify, verify or enforce, but a better informed public should lead to better choices in life, especially in how they vote. It might prevent some protesters that are protesting about the wrong things, i.e. barking up the wrong tree. Without knowing what the guidelines are, the electorate has no way of knowing if the candidate is upholding them with their actions while in office. We can't rely on the media because if you change the channel you will often hear the direct opposite, and they can't both be correct. We can't rely on word of mouth because many get their guidance from the media. If we truly want to know the rules of the road, we have to read the driver's manual.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made May 24 at 2017 1:21 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Wed, 24 May 2017 13:21:48 -0400

I'd be really happy if all military members knew it also. But to the point, US History is taught in most schools in 8th and 11th grade. Kids are taught our founding documents at that time. That doesn't mean they actually learn anything...

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 24 at 2017 1:35 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 24 May 2017 13:35:52 -0400

Yes.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 24 at 2017 5:02 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:02:19 -0400

I would go one step further. Maybe instead of the pledge of allegiance, they recite sections or maybe full articles of the constitution. Or even a new optional pledge to the constitution. Optional because not all residents of the US are citizens and swearing allegiance to a country could be considered a renunciation of citizenship to their native country. Just a thought.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 9:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 09:45:45 -0400

Why the distinction of able bodies citizens knowing the Constitution? How do you determine how someone "knows" it?

Response by SGT Robert Agee made May 26 at 2017 10:12 AM

SGT Robert Agee — Fri, 26 May 2017 10:12:44 -0400

Absolutely. Most folks cannot tell you how many branches of govern,ent there are, let alone what the duties of each are.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Mar 7 at 2020 12:47 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 12:47:41 -0500

It was taught to me by my Father, then in school and you had to pass the course.
That being said you can't force people in a free society to learn anything. Doors may be closed to them, but you can't force them to comply, legally.