Who wrote the Sailors Creed?

2016-03-20T16:37:41-04:00

There was no Sailor's Creed when I was in the Navy and I just read it in depth and realized it was very poorly written. We need to re-write it to reflect the Navy, not some generic fighting force.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Mar 20 at 2016 4:54 PM

2016-03-20T16:54:51-04:00

I will now explain what I mean.

I am a United States Sailor. [Okay, this is a good start]

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
[Get rid of the "will" in both places in this sentence. Right now it sounds like I possibly do not do these things right now, but will in the future. "I support ... " far better than "I will support"]

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
[Throw this one out and try again. How about "I represent my country, the Navy, and all those who came before to defend our freedom from all aggressors around the world"]

I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.
[Ugh. What the heck is a "combat team"? Not part of the Navy. "I proudly stand with my shipmates to serve my country with Honor, Courage, and Commitment"]

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.
[Again, lame. "I serve my country with excellence in peace and war always ready to help those who are in need" Still working on this one.]

Anyway, I used to write this type of statement (mission statements, vision statements etc) all the time for the civilian world and so this one made me cringe.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Mar 20 at 2016 5:44 PM

2016-03-20T17:44:03-04:00

I am a United States Sailor. I will erase "man" from my vocabulary and serve proudly on all gender-neutral ships. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and our sister service Coast Guard. In the face of danger, I shall not waive a timeout card and will bravely overtake the enemy. I will shave once a day or as directed by the President. I will not engage in political debates unless others doubt my views. Together we are one force against all evil (beer, political incorrectness, lap dancers) and will unite to keep United States of America, a great nation.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Mar 21 at 2016 10:52 AM

2016-03-21T10:52:52-04:00

http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ddg57/Pages/Creed.aspx

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 7:52 AM

2016-03-22T07:52:55-04:00

It was initial drafted under Admiral Watkin's direction back in the mid-80s, when he was CNO. It's was subsequently updated by Admirals Kelso and Boorda in the mid-90s.

Response by PO1 Charles Norris made Mar 22 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-03-22T10:35:53-04:00

I feel like on some level, this creed was written to appease those of us who feel as if we are drifting away from our history as a service. We've gotten rid of nearly everything that connects present sailors to past sailors all in the name of political correctness. My Navy, yes I said MY NAVY, was radically different and in many respects far better than what we see now. We were rough around the edges, a little crass, and were some of the hardest working men and women I have ever met! We participated in some time honored traditions that connected us to our past brothers and sisters. These things were the same traditions they took part in so we stayed connected along a very long line of shared pain and joy. BUT these traditions made somebody feel like we hurt their precious little feelings, so they rose to power and eliminated them and if I had to guess, they were eliminated by those who didn't participate.

Now it's a job for the government. Many of today's sailors are no more than GS employees doing their time. We've been inundated with "leadership" who have no idea what servant leadership means. From the lowliest Enlisted to the highest officer, you exist solely to take care of those in your charge and to see them excel all while completing your mission, what ever it may be. That happens in a myriad of ways but those in your charge must respect you and completely trust you. That doesn't seem like it's happening today. How can I trust a man who has says he is a sailor but hasn't been a part of our history?

I've been retired since 2006 and am so very happy I was able to retire when I was. I have no ill will towards MY Navy. I love MY Navy. This new Navy? I'm not real sure how I feel. I'm close enough to see and hear a lot about it and it makes me glad I was able to retire when I was.

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Mar 22 at 2016 11:04 AM

2016-03-22T11:04:10-04:00

The Sailor's Creed was written by a panel directed by then CNO Admiral Kelso in 1993. It was modified slightly by Admiral Boorda in 1994, and then again in 1997.

I'm not sure what the problem is with it. It's clear enough and says what it needs to say.

Response by MCPO Hans Brakob made Mar 22 at 2016 11:24 AM

2016-03-22T11:24:07-04:00

They won't let me vote this with "unlike" because I don't have enough "influence". So let me just state that the creed properly reflects my personal ethos as a Sailor since 1958.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2016 1:04 PM

2016-03-22T13:04:07-04:00

The Sailors Creed was put together in the early 90's by a Blue Ribbon committee under then CNO Kelso. The Creed is to apply to all Sailors and meant to support the core values of our Navy. This means that as a Seabee, the creed applies equally to me as it does to an Airedale as it does to a Surface Sailor, a SEAL, the Submariners, and those who battle on the electronic battlefield.

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Mar 22 at 2016 1:41 PM

2016-03-22T13:41:17-04:00

I see the Chiefs trying to defend this and the lower ranks seeing what I'm saying. It is nice that the Chiefs go with the company line, but you miss the point of what I'm saying. I am not saying that the creed is a bad thing, but it is weak. It doesn't keep with Naval tradition and needs to be rewritten.

I point out the "will" in it. Putting "will" in there puts the action is the future. "I will run a marathon if one comes to my town". "I will defend my country if the need arises". I say instead "I defend my country". Period. Even now when I'm not in the Navy. The only time "will" should be used is when a recruit is raising the right hand and being sworn in to the Navy.

Try this " I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." Much stronger. In that statement it uses "will" for future events such as IF captured. IF tortured.

Overall the creed is not a bad thing. But it needs to reflect Naval tradition.

Like HOIST THE RED FLAG! (No, not dealing with explosives being loaded)

Response by PO1 Clint Moore made Mar 22 at 2016 6:06 PM

2016-03-22T18:06:19-04:00

The Creed of the Sailor? A question mark because usually the Chief sets the tone. The Upper leadership controls the agenda, and for Sailors that don't get with the program they are made an example of. It's too much politics not to learn and play the political game of rank making. I have believed until we all get real about the issues and the problems internally cancerous to our Navy, well we get the Navy which results.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 6:55 AM

2016-03-23T06:55:34-04:00

Or, we could just get rid of it, seeing as it was written by some Sailors in boot camp, and doesn't really mean anything

Response by PO3 Terry Miller made Mar 23 at 2016 8:54 AM

2016-03-23T08:54:21-04:00

The original version, dating from 1986, to me, is better:
I have chosen to serve in the United States Navy. America depends on my performance for her survival, and I accept the challenge to set my standards high, placing my country's well-being above self-interest.
I will be loyal to my country, its Constitution and laws, and to my shipmates.
I will be honest in my personal and professional life and encourage my shipmates to do the same.
I will, to the best of my ability, do the right thing for its own sake, and I am prepared to face pain or death in defense of my country.
I will be a professional, wearing my uniform with pride and accepting responsibility for my actions.
I will set excellence as my standard and always strive for ways to make me a better sailor and my crew a better crew.

Now, having said that it's better I have to wonder why it's needed. If these things are taught and practiced in Today's Navy, what would be the point of stating it in a formal, one size fits all, creed?
In this version at least, non-combatant sailors are not slighted. They serve with honor if with less threat of personal injury. The Navy could not exist without them. And those of us who did go to sea in warships have no reason to think less of them.

Response by SCPO Matthew Murcin made Mar 23 at 2016 9:11 AM

2016-03-23T09:11:33-04:00

Honestly don't know. It showed up after I had been in sometime. One of those bs initiatives didn't really have time to pay attention to when you have work to do. Think I first saw it after I was already a 1st class in the mid 2000s.

Response by CPO Norman Mauldin made Mar 23 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-03-23T12:51:53-04:00

The Sailor's Creed was written by a panel directed by then CNO Admiral Kelso in 1993. It was modified slightly by Admiral Boorda in 1994, and then again in 1997.
I never liked it then, I don't like it now. I prefer the code of conduct! I am not here to protect the world or democracy, I am here for the Constitution (which my oath of enlistment was to), and the United States of America and her interests, NO OTHERS!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2016 8:09 PM

2016-03-23T20:09:32-04:00

It was written by the Blue Ribbon Recruit Panel in 1993.

Response by PO3 Tim Runyon made Mar 24 at 2016 12:22 PM

2016-03-24T12:22:21-04:00

I served in the mid 70's, stationed aboard the Coral Sea (CV 43). At that time there was no Sailors Creed, though after taking with a family member who also served in the Navy I found out that the Creed had apparently been authored by blue ribbon recruit training panel in 1993 at the direction of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Frank Kelso.

Response by PO1 Donald Kennelly made Mar 24 at 2016 8:25 PM

2016-03-24T20:25:46-04:00

This needs nothing. Leave it alone. My response in the ().
I am a United States Sailor. (today, tomorrow and always)

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
[Get rid of the "will" in both places in this sentence. Right now it sounds like I possibly do not do these things right now, but will in the future. "I support ... " far better than "I will support"] This is crap.
(I WILL support, I WILL obey. This is actionable, committed. Not some sticker on your car that says “I support our troops”; how do they support? Buying a sticker?? By leaving out “WILL” you have just relegated the statement to something soft. I WILL do it now, tomorrow and in the future whenever called upon.)

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
[Throw this one out and try again. How about "I represent my country, the Navy, and all those who came before to defend our freedom from all aggressors around the world"] Again, crap.
(I DO represent the FIGHTING spirit, not the sheeples, not the elitists, not the entitlists. I will defend democracy (ours and theirs), not tyrants and such.)

I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.
[Ugh. What the heck is a "combat team"? Not part of the Navy. "I proudly stand with my shipmates to serve my country with Honor, Courage, and Commitment"] One more time.. crap.

(I served with all branches of the service in one cohesive COMBAT TEAM. Not the Air Force, not the Marines, not the Army and certainly not just the Navy. ALL the services because as a TEAM we are far more effective than by ourselves.)

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.
[Again, lame. "I serve my country with excellence in peace and war always ready to help those who are in need" Still working on this one.] seriously, do I have to say it?

((I) am committed to excellence. Me, myself, I. As long as I bring that to the table in any circumstance you know I am committed. Fair treatment to all. Ever heard of the Golden Rule. Yeah, the world may not be fair, but it has to start somewhere and I am committed to treat everyone to a level playing field.)

[Anyway, I used to write this type of statement (mission statements, vision statements etc) all the time for the civilian world and so this one made me cringe.]
(really don’t want to get personal on this, but it sounds like you are writing a corporate document that is watered down PC jargon.)

Leave this alone, it needs nothing.

Response by PO2 Walter Savell made Mar 26 at 2016 3:54 AM

2016-03-26T03:54:24-04:00

What's wrong with the oath of enlistment? "On this hangs all the law and the prophets." I know that refers to something else but it applies here too. Keep it simple!