Posted on Jun 30, 2015
Were draftees required to take the Oath of Service?
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This is out of genuine curiosity having been born after the draft was eliminated. After all, part of the oath says that the obligation is taken freely; would that really apply to a draftee who was being forced to serve? Moreover, would refusal to recite the oath get one out of being drafted?
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Oath
Oath
Posted >1 y ago
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I was drafted and I along with others took the oath. I was drafted because at the time I really didn't want to join for several years, but I was not going to evade it either. I had a friend that said he could probably get men into the National Guard and I told him no thank you. I am very glad that I served and would do so again, if I wasn't at my age that I am. My service is one of my highlights in my life. I served in Vietnam, 70-71 for 14 months.
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SPC David Batterson
It was a highlight of my life, too. And of course I took the oath. 1966-68, Ft. Hood, TX. TDY at DINFOS, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN. Basic training was at Ft. Bliss, TX.
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Sgt Jim Belanus
funny how this works, we are having our 51 class reunion first one in 40 years, we have 5 vets present and all have something in common and talked to each other about. the class committee even present them with the quilt of honor, impressive and humbleing experence. . this group is from the war protest days
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I volunteered for the draft in 1969 and we definately did take the oath. a fynny thing happened to me when we took the oath. The ranking officer there was a Marine, so I got nervous because I wanted to be in the Army and not the Marines. Before taking the oath I told the Marine Officer that I was not joining the Marines but the Army. This got a good laugh from all there including the officer. He explained to all of us that he was the high ranking officer there so he would be giving the oath to all Army, Navy, Marines and Airforce. As a footnote I have a great deal of respect for the Marine Corps. I was an Army infantry grunt in Viet Nam. We both had the same shitty job.
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SSG (Join to see)
My funny oath story for you.
After a 15 year break, I joined the national guard in 2006.
Swearing in time at the recruiter's office, and no officer in the building.
I swore in standing in front of the flag with a CW2 on a cell phone giving me the oath.
Have a picture of me holding phone in left hand, right hand raised.
Recruiter wrote on picture " this time it is for real"
After a 15 year break, I joined the national guard in 2006.
Swearing in time at the recruiter's office, and no officer in the building.
I swore in standing in front of the flag with a CW2 on a cell phone giving me the oath.
Have a picture of me holding phone in left hand, right hand raised.
Recruiter wrote on picture " this time it is for real"
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The Enlisted Oath doesn't have that same line.
""I, (state 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 Phrase you are referring to ("that I take this obligation freely") appears only in the Officers' Oath:
"I, _____, having been appointed an officer in the Army 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 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 upon which I am about to enter; (So help me God.)"
""I, (state 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 Phrase you are referring to ("that I take this obligation freely") appears only in the Officers' Oath:
"I, _____, having been appointed an officer in the Army 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 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 upon which I am about to enter; (So help me God.)"
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1LT Aaron Barr
I'm embarrassed to say this but I didn't know that the Enlisted Oath was different from that of Officer's Oath. Learn something new everyday; thanks!
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
1LT Aaron Barr Not just different, but significantly different. The Officers Oath is the same as the Vice President, Members of Congress, and other Federal Officials (if I recall correctly).
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LTC Stephen C.
Correct, Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS, and more appropriately, as it applies to other positions, it called the Oath of Office. The only other oath I can think of, right off hand, is the Presidential Oath. It is significantly different in wording, as follows: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." The sentence "So help me God." is not part of this oath, but has been used by most presidents to include Barack Obama. 1LT Aaron Barr
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