In the oath of enlistment, why do we swear to defend the Constitution and not the country or its citizens?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:28:27 -0400

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 27 at 2016 12:56 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 00:56:21 -0400

A really great question. America occupies a place but it is not the place. America is occupied by people but it is not the people. America is a goal, an ideal expressed in the Constitution. Without it there is no America, no Americans. With it anyplace can be America and anyone who bears true faith and allegiance to it can be an American

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 2:48 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 02:48:22 -0400

If we fought for our land or our citizens, we'd lose. We'd lose because our enemies all have their own set of ideals. Our people would not be supportive of our military efforts if there weren't an ethical backing for our actions. The most successful militaristic groups have fought for an ideal rather than immediate security. This draws a certain support from the public at large, and motivates people to defend freedom.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jul 27 at 2016 5:04 AM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 05:04:48 -0400

Personally, I believe that it's because the Constitution is the country and the people. Without the Constitution, we wouldn't be the United States, nor have the freedoms that have brought so many people here.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Jul 27 at 2016 5:49 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 05:49:50 -0400

The constitution protects the country and people. So, in a way you are

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 27 at 2016 7:54 AM

SGT David T. — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 07:54:09 -0400

"War is the continuation of politics through other means". The military is a political tool and the Constitution is the expression of that political government. Now a government cannot exist without the existence and consent (even if only nominally) of the consent of its people. So protecting the Constitution and the government you are protecting the citizens.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 10:04 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 10:04:50 -0400

Hi, SSgt Barrows.

The Constitution was written by the people to protect the country.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 10:20 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 10:20:40 -0400

Because the implication of the Oath is that we are defending the rights and freedoms of the country (as outlined in the Constitution). While we are defending our land and it's people, that is not our primary goal. Because what is America without those freedoms? We are no better than China at that point. so we swear our Oath to defend the rights and the freedoms of our people, as explained in (and therefore, from) the Constitution.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 27 at 2016 3:00 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:00:23 -0400

The Constitution, reflects written principals that have been evolving/progressing since the: Magna Carta, meaning ‘The Great Charter’, is one of the most famous documents in the world. Originally issued by King John of England (r.1199-1216) as a practical solution to the political crisis he faced in 1215, Magna Carta established for the first time the principle that everybody, including the king, was subject to the law. Although nearly a third of the text was deleted or substantially rewritten within ten years, and almost all the clauses have been repealed in modern times, Magna Carta remains a cornerstone of the British constitution. Most of the 63 clauses granted by King John dealt with specific grievances relating to his rule. However, buried within them were a number of fundamental values that both challenged the autocracy of the king and proved highly adaptable in future centuries. Most famously, the 39th clause gave all ‘free men’ the right to justice and a fair trial. Some of Magna Carta’s core principles are echoed in the United States Bill of Rights (1791) and in many other constitutional documents around the world, as well as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the European Convention on Human Rights (1950). - See more at: http://www.bl.uk/magna-carta/articles/magna-carta-an-introduction#sthash.NMUNn4Bv.dpuf

Magna Carta an introduction

Essential information about Magna Carta. Why was it created? What does it say and why has it become one of the most celebrated documents in history?

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 27 at 2016 3:27 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 15:27:12 -0400

The country is just land, and should the people forget the Constitution, I will not.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 27 at 2016 6:13 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 18:13:03 -0400

The Constitution IS the Nation. It's the keystone to the entire thing. Citizens are part of the Nation and "defined" by the Constitution. What we defend is the framework that makes America work.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2016 7:29 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 19:29:57 -0400

A most excellent question. Like others have stated, the Constitution defines this great experiment known as the United States of America. It defines the specific duties each branch has and more importantly establishes the concept that those "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people." We the People are the Constitution's true masters and we have a great responsibility to ensure its survival against "all enemies, foreign and domestic."

If you really want to get to know our Constitution's 700 year history, you need to hear Kris Anne Hall speak. Check her site (krisannehall.com) and see when she'll be close to you. It is worth your time.

Response by CMSgt Mike Esser made Jul 27 at 2016 9:45 PM

CMSgt Mike Esser — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 21:45:17 -0400

James Madison famously wrote in The Federalist No. 51,

In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to controul the governed; and in the next place oblige it to controul itself. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary controul on the government; but experience has taught mankind necessity of auxiliary precautions.

Response by CPT Chris Newport made Sep 6 at 2016 8:43 PM

CPT Chris Newport — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 20:43:46 -0400

It is the same; without the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, we are slaves.