We all took an oath to "suppport and defend" the Consitution. What does this mean to you?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 14:21:37 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 5:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 17:06:42 -0500

This means we carry out the orders if those appointed over us, so long those orders are "lawful" under the Consitution.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 11:14 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:14:59 -0500

This sums it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh8AO64JKx0

This is the scene from the rock where the marines kill the navy seals. I had this stored away and i just found it. wanted to share it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 1:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 01:32:38 -0500

That is dependent on the interpretation of what is legal IAW the Constitution.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 5:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 05:47:36 -0500

I'm shocked 25% selected "Obey the orders of the President and the officers regardless of the Constitution?"

I wonder if they misread it. If not I'd love to hear their explanation.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 6:30 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 06:30:33 -0500

The way the Oath is worded you swear to uphold an idea before supporting any person. To me that means that the Constitution takes precidence over any order I might receive, from the President on down. With that also comes a responsibility to study and understand the Constitution on what it really means through research and talking to SME's. I understand that as a Service Member I might not enjoy all the rights and liberties granted through the Constitution while I serve, but I will defend the rights of all United States Citizens againt any person or organization that seeks to take those rights away regardless of my personal beleifs or opinions. And I won't give any orders to my guys that would violate rights granted by the Constitution.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Nov 5 at 2014 8:31 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:31:10 -0500

It meant that I fully supported and executed the orders of those appointed over me so long as those orders were neither illegal nor immoral. It meant that, while I may not have totally agreed with policy on a personal level, I fully executed all missions to the best of my and my Soldiers' abilities at all times.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2014 8:36 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 08:36:20 -0500

To me, that lines of the Oath is representative of protecting the ideals and principles of the United States. Saying "support and defend the constitution" is a little passé, in the fact that there are far too many arguments ensuing in regards to the meaning behind the amendments. Hell, the second amendment debacle has been ongoing, and probably will never get solved.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Apr 1 at 2015 3:00 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 15:00:35 -0400

To me it means that my loyalty is first to the nation as framed by the Constitution rather than the leaders of the day. I can not be ordered to overturn the lawfully elected government, disenfranchise citizens or otherwise prop up something that is CLEARLY a violation of the Constitution.

I use the word clearly as Constitutional Law is sometimes complicated and some questions are best left to the SCOTUS.