Posted on Jan 28, 2019
Veterans' Creed - Why We Created It and Why It’s Important.
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*This is an image of Veterans reciting the Veterans' Creed at a Bristol Blues baseball game.
History:
Last June, eleven VSO’s came together and developed a Veteran’s Creed, each of whose elements reflects the foundations of Veterans’ culture, military creeds and related VSO missions.
(AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), HillVets, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Student Veterans of America, Team Rubicon Global, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warrior Project)
Today with the addition of the American Legion, the Veteran’s Creed is endorsed by 12 of the largest VSO’s in our country.
Mission:
We believe that a creed developed by, and specifically for, Veterans is a powerful tool to both codify the principles by which Veterans live and to enhance their sense of mission in society. It can also enhance the public’s understanding of Veterans and highlight the positive capabilities that Veterans bring home from military service.
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Why a Veterans’ Creed?
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
There are more than 20 million veterans in our country today, and more than 200,000 men and women leave the military every year, creating a steady and significant flow of Veterans back into civilian life.
Veterans learned a lot during their military experience—values, teamwork, leadership, selfless service. These positive traits were instilled in them throughout their service, and these traits remain part of who they are. Veterans have a lot to offer this country.
We believe there is something missing that keeps millions of Veterans from realizing their full potential and having a more positive impact on our society.
What’s missing is a vehicle that causes Veterans to recall the value of their service and the reasons that they served, and to remind them that many opportunities remain to make a difference in our world. What’s missing is a vehicle that gives Veterans a continuing sense of purpose and that inspires them to lead and to excel. What’s missing is a vehicle that recreates the sense of community that Veterans so sorely miss.
We believe that The Veteran’s Creed can serve as that unifying construct to remind Veterans of the significance and value of their military service, to inspire Veterans to continue to serve and lead at the local, state and national levels and to excel at whatever they undertake. I can also unite Veterans in a community to make a difference for our country.
About GEN Casey:
General Casey retired as the 36th Chief of Staff of the US Army. He is the Chairman of the Board of the USO, on the board of advisors at RallyPoint, a board member of Student Veterans of America and several other organizations that support veterans and their families. He remains committed to seeing that the men and women who have served this country so well continue to have the opportunities to contribute to the society that they served.
History:
Last June, eleven VSO’s came together and developed a Veteran’s Creed, each of whose elements reflects the foundations of Veterans’ culture, military creeds and related VSO missions.
(AMVETS, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), HillVets, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Student Veterans of America, Team Rubicon Global, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Wounded Warrior Project)
Today with the addition of the American Legion, the Veteran’s Creed is endorsed by 12 of the largest VSO’s in our country.
Mission:
We believe that a creed developed by, and specifically for, Veterans is a powerful tool to both codify the principles by which Veterans live and to enhance their sense of mission in society. It can also enhance the public’s understanding of Veterans and highlight the positive capabilities that Veterans bring home from military service.
Veteran’s Creed:
1. I am an American Veteran
2. I proudly served my country
3. I live the values I learned in the military
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
6. I continue to lead and improve
7. I make a difference
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
Why a Veterans’ Creed?
REMIND Veterans: Of the significance and value of their military service
INSPIRE Veterans: To continue to serve and excel
UNITE Veterans: To make a difference for our country
There are more than 20 million veterans in our country today, and more than 200,000 men and women leave the military every year, creating a steady and significant flow of Veterans back into civilian life.
Veterans learned a lot during their military experience—values, teamwork, leadership, selfless service. These positive traits were instilled in them throughout their service, and these traits remain part of who they are. Veterans have a lot to offer this country.
We believe there is something missing that keeps millions of Veterans from realizing their full potential and having a more positive impact on our society.
What’s missing is a vehicle that causes Veterans to recall the value of their service and the reasons that they served, and to remind them that many opportunities remain to make a difference in our world. What’s missing is a vehicle that gives Veterans a continuing sense of purpose and that inspires them to lead and to excel. What’s missing is a vehicle that recreates the sense of community that Veterans so sorely miss.
We believe that The Veteran’s Creed can serve as that unifying construct to remind Veterans of the significance and value of their military service, to inspire Veterans to continue to serve and lead at the local, state and national levels and to excel at whatever they undertake. I can also unite Veterans in a community to make a difference for our country.
About GEN Casey:
General Casey retired as the 36th Chief of Staff of the US Army. He is the Chairman of the Board of the USO, on the board of advisors at RallyPoint, a board member of Student Veterans of America and several other organizations that support veterans and their families. He remains committed to seeing that the men and women who have served this country so well continue to have the opportunities to contribute to the society that they served.
RallyPoint
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
USO
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 80
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I feel the wording could be tweaked. As a veteran, I am not in need of a reminder for my reason for service, I am in need to remind my service that I'm not disposable, that my fellow veteran's are always ready to endorse that blank check we wrote to our country and that we are worthy of the care we seek, the education we've paid for and the honor we've earned.
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"1. I am an American Veteran"
Ok, nothing wrong here so far.
"2. I proudly served my country"
Yeah. I mean while I feel this way, others vet may not?
I think it's cool General Casey drafted this and all, showing consideration on how a veteran may feel, but there's one glaring problem with it:
A persons service is their own, and even if they had a miserable time, for whatever reason, but were honorably separated, maybe it is something they would actually weren't that fond of?
If we have allowed and respected our brothers and sisters to any degree, would this not also be their very right, after Honorable Discharge, to characterize their experiences and service how they see fit?
"3. I live the values I learned in the military"
I still cling tight to "LDRSHIP".
I personally identify with them.
However, why are we telling a person who has honorably served, and thus has veteran status, how to behave after their service?
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
I genuinely hope this is all true, and whether it's dropping a $20 in a Homeless Vet program, or helping another vet write their Notice Of Disagreement, I try to reciprocate and reach out where and when I can.
However, again, and with great clarity and emphasis:
Who are we to tell someone who has honorably served what they are absolutely to do after completing their service?
Other than to honor the oath to the Constitution, to which there is no expiration date, what else do you think is fair and or reasonable to expect of them, having fully given and committed themselves, selflessly, to the beck and call of the US Armed Forces?
If a person served with honor and distinction and wishes to spend their post-ETS life gambling and fornicating, particularly given some of the things some of these guys and gals have done and seen, who are we to tell them how to live their lives?
Their service is their own.
Period.
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
What?
We're now trying to shoehorn veterans back into passing PFT standards?
Look, fellas, if a person serves their country for years and wants to get out and be 60 lbs overweight, again, who are we to tell them what to do after their honorable service?
Mental Discipline?
While I personally find this to be extremely important to merely being me, some people may not want to spend their days honing their mental acuity and cognitive abilities to a high level of discipline while contemplating existential postulations and epistemological or ontological truths.
Maybe they want to, instead, sit on a shoreline and fish?
Given their service, why the hell would we deny them that?
Seriously.
It's their service.
6. I continue to lead and improve
Again:
What?
Is this honorably discharged veteran's service not their own?
7. I make a difference
I have no idea what is inferred here.
All of us, either in garrison or outside the wire, made a difference.
That's good enough to hold pretty much every veteran I run into in extremely high regards in my estimation.
Again, if they want to spend their post-service, honorably-discharged days doing [X], where "X" is "activity not laterally affecting people to make any real difference", well...they earned it.
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
This one I agree and consider immutable.
How about this for a Veterans Creed/Motto?
"I am a United States Veteran.
I served my country with honor.
I maintain the Oath I have previously pledged to the US Constitution.
I have diligently attended to task, both menial and grand, often without the benefit of rest.
I have risen to the tasks assigned me, at any hour, any time, and anywhere.
Having dutifully and diligently conducted myself in a manner that is upstanding and consistent with the nature of honorable service, I return to a life of my own choosing, having paid the price in blood, sweat, tears, and selfless commitment to accomplishment of task and mission.
My service is mine, and mine alone, except for the memories. camaraderie, and kinship of those I served with, and those shadows that remain.
I remember and honor my fallen brothers and sisters.
I am a United States Veteran."
Ok, nothing wrong here so far.
"2. I proudly served my country"
Yeah. I mean while I feel this way, others vet may not?
I think it's cool General Casey drafted this and all, showing consideration on how a veteran may feel, but there's one glaring problem with it:
A persons service is their own, and even if they had a miserable time, for whatever reason, but were honorably separated, maybe it is something they would actually weren't that fond of?
If we have allowed and respected our brothers and sisters to any degree, would this not also be their very right, after Honorable Discharge, to characterize their experiences and service how they see fit?
"3. I live the values I learned in the military"
I still cling tight to "LDRSHIP".
I personally identify with them.
However, why are we telling a person who has honorably served, and thus has veteran status, how to behave after their service?
4. I continue to serve my community, my country and my fellow veterans
I genuinely hope this is all true, and whether it's dropping a $20 in a Homeless Vet program, or helping another vet write their Notice Of Disagreement, I try to reciprocate and reach out where and when I can.
However, again, and with great clarity and emphasis:
Who are we to tell someone who has honorably served what they are absolutely to do after completing their service?
Other than to honor the oath to the Constitution, to which there is no expiration date, what else do you think is fair and or reasonable to expect of them, having fully given and committed themselves, selflessly, to the beck and call of the US Armed Forces?
If a person served with honor and distinction and wishes to spend their post-ETS life gambling and fornicating, particularly given some of the things some of these guys and gals have done and seen, who are we to tell them how to live their lives?
Their service is their own.
Period.
5. I maintain my physical and mental discipline
What?
We're now trying to shoehorn veterans back into passing PFT standards?
Look, fellas, if a person serves their country for years and wants to get out and be 60 lbs overweight, again, who are we to tell them what to do after their honorable service?
Mental Discipline?
While I personally find this to be extremely important to merely being me, some people may not want to spend their days honing their mental acuity and cognitive abilities to a high level of discipline while contemplating existential postulations and epistemological or ontological truths.
Maybe they want to, instead, sit on a shoreline and fish?
Given their service, why the hell would we deny them that?
Seriously.
It's their service.
6. I continue to lead and improve
Again:
What?
Is this honorably discharged veteran's service not their own?
7. I make a difference
I have no idea what is inferred here.
All of us, either in garrison or outside the wire, made a difference.
That's good enough to hold pretty much every veteran I run into in extremely high regards in my estimation.
Again, if they want to spend their post-service, honorably-discharged days doing [X], where "X" is "activity not laterally affecting people to make any real difference", well...they earned it.
8. I honor and remember my fallen comrades
This one I agree and consider immutable.
How about this for a Veterans Creed/Motto?
"I am a United States Veteran.
I served my country with honor.
I maintain the Oath I have previously pledged to the US Constitution.
I have diligently attended to task, both menial and grand, often without the benefit of rest.
I have risen to the tasks assigned me, at any hour, any time, and anywhere.
Having dutifully and diligently conducted myself in a manner that is upstanding and consistent with the nature of honorable service, I return to a life of my own choosing, having paid the price in blood, sweat, tears, and selfless commitment to accomplishment of task and mission.
My service is mine, and mine alone, except for the memories. camaraderie, and kinship of those I served with, and those shadows that remain.
I remember and honor my fallen brothers and sisters.
I am a United States Veteran."
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SPC Mike Davis
Wonderful comment. I live by my birthright as a citizen of the United States. No oath or statement can compare. I have been discharged for over fifty years. Lived a very honorable life. Made a very honorable home for my wife and children. Traveled around the world twice on business. Have been a respected neighbor and citizen in every neighborhood we have lived in. Cannot think of one military courtesy (the military loves that word, and not one thing the military does is even close to courteous,) which was advantages to my civilian career. Hell! I could even buy champaign as a civilian. Unlike when in military, and told as an enlisted I could not buy champaign because enlisted had no use for it (true, Korea 1960-62. Not on ration card.) Could not use on post massage because...you guessed it...you are enlisted. Such courtesy and values really do not help ones professional career in a civilian life. I believe the good General is a good and decent man and believes by this oath he is making a contribution to a better society. But in reality. It is far removed from defining what constitutes a good citizen. Especially when one uses an oath built on a militaries lack of respect (courtesy) for your fellow mans chosen career and or employment. I am an American citizen and like millions of others a veteran. Who needs an oath when one just claims his birthright.
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Creeds are creeds for a reason like the Creed I Keep posted as a Chief on a plaque in my home office:
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/communities/chief-petty-officers/united-states-navy-chief-petty-officer-creed.html
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/01/29/mcpon-dishes-new-guidance-to-all-cpos/ (http://goatlocker.org/resources/cpo/history/creed-1977.html)
As a Chief, even now that I been retired 20+ years it is as important to me now as it was the day my wife, also the daughter of an MMC (SS), pinned my anchors on me to live and breath these words. I can only hope my posts or comments to posts have or continue to honor - My Chief's Creed!!!
Blessings to all of you!
Finally, GEN George Casey thank you for posting the - Veteran's Creed!!!
COL Mikel J. Burroughs; Maj Marty Hogan; COL Lee Flemming; SMSGT Gerald "Doc" Thomas; SCPO Morris Ramsey; Lt Col Charlie Brown; Maj Alea Nadeem; LTC (Join to see); Maj William "Bill" Price;LTC Stephen C.; LTC Stephen F.; LTC Jason Mackay; CMSgt (Join to see); MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi; Nicci Eisenhauer; MSgt Paul Connors (Publishing); Kate Van Name
https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/communities/chief-petty-officers/united-states-navy-chief-petty-officer-creed.html
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/01/29/mcpon-dishes-new-guidance-to-all-cpos/ (http://goatlocker.org/resources/cpo/history/creed-1977.html)
As a Chief, even now that I been retired 20+ years it is as important to me now as it was the day my wife, also the daughter of an MMC (SS), pinned my anchors on me to live and breath these words. I can only hope my posts or comments to posts have or continue to honor - My Chief's Creed!!!
Blessings to all of you!
Finally, GEN George Casey thank you for posting the - Veteran's Creed!!!
COL Mikel J. Burroughs; Maj Marty Hogan; COL Lee Flemming; SMSGT Gerald "Doc" Thomas; SCPO Morris Ramsey; Lt Col Charlie Brown; Maj Alea Nadeem; LTC (Join to see); Maj William "Bill" Price;LTC Stephen C.; LTC Stephen F.; LTC Jason Mackay; CMSgt (Join to see); MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi; Nicci Eisenhauer; MSgt Paul Connors (Publishing); Kate Van Name
United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Creed
United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Creed During the course of this day, you have been caused to humbly accept challenge and face adversity. This you have accomplished with rare good grace. Pointless as some of these challenges may have seemed, there were valid, time-honored reasons behind each pointed barb. It was necessary to meet these hurdles with blind faith in the fellowship of Chief Petty Officers. The goal was to instill in you that...
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The only oath I am interested in is the an oath to defend the constitution and the right of all Americans as was intended by the framers of our constitution. This would mean to protect the rights of all, against extreme ultra right or extreme ultra left. The later scaring me the most, as I see Socialism and still Communism to be this countries biggest threat to date.
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CPO Nate S.
TSgt James Warfield I agree regarding the Constitution.
However, veterans until recently have been treated in some very poor ways. It is important to have a creed that further reminds us our obligations to each other. My obligation as a "brother veteran" even though we have never met or know each other until now. You are my brother and regardless of biology or anything else that may separate us - WE ARE VETERANS (War Time or Peace Time) that is a fact!
I also agree regarding "extremism". Extremist of any bent are dangerous and all of will be wise to be watchful and protective of that which we value above all - True FREEDOM!
Hope my words have meant something! BTW, I keep my copy of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration along with other documents very close for reference purposes, especially for those who think they know what it says.
However, veterans until recently have been treated in some very poor ways. It is important to have a creed that further reminds us our obligations to each other. My obligation as a "brother veteran" even though we have never met or know each other until now. You are my brother and regardless of biology or anything else that may separate us - WE ARE VETERANS (War Time or Peace Time) that is a fact!
I also agree regarding "extremism". Extremist of any bent are dangerous and all of will be wise to be watchful and protective of that which we value above all - True FREEDOM!
Hope my words have meant something! BTW, I keep my copy of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration along with other documents very close for reference purposes, especially for those who think they know what it says.
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Why not hold a national survey on recommendations that would reflect what a Veterans creed should be instead of a handful proclaiming they have that right to speak for all veterans? Here’s a few suggestions:
1. I am a patriotic American Veteran
2. I have served and defended my country against all threats, domestically and foreign
3. I retain both my honor and pride of having been an elite among many
4. I am at my country’s beckon call if need be
5. I will bring with me My belief in my fellow man
6. I can make a difference
7. I will believe in my God and ask his blessings for our nation and people
8. I will never forget my fallen comrades and live to honor their memory
1. I am a patriotic American Veteran
2. I have served and defended my country against all threats, domestically and foreign
3. I retain both my honor and pride of having been an elite among many
4. I am at my country’s beckon call if need be
5. I will bring with me My belief in my fellow man
6. I can make a difference
7. I will believe in my God and ask his blessings for our nation and people
8. I will never forget my fallen comrades and live to honor their memory
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) I think it’s sad that you chose to use a picture with your beret looking the way it does.
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SGT (Join to see)
So instead of a cogent response, you chose insults. All I can ascertain is that you are a forum troll.
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SFC (Join to see)
Am I wrong though? We get it; the Army loves creeds. But creeds are just empty platitudes that get dangled like a carrot. In reality, what matters is action. I could waste my time trying to memorize this new creed, or I can live a life that reflects it. Which is more meaningful?
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"I live the values I learned in the Military"? Ummmmm....I'm not sure some of those "values" are suitable for print here and am glad I left them behind.
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CPO Nate S.
PO1 Eric Booker Not sure when you left service so what I will say is this -
Values are IDEALS to aspire to. Some people fail to do this - aspire to more. I suspect the "values" you left behind were not "values" they were choices. Choices by others that may have abused their power and authority, or may have failed to exercise it when needed to serve a more just cause. Those are choices by human beings - NOT Values!
Values, like the Declaration of Independence and words of the Preamble to the Constitution are, and other documents - are VALUES (aka IDEALS) that are worth working to live by. It is NOT easy, but MEN and WOMEN of HONOR make choices every day to aspire to these sometimes impossible standards.
Shipmate, I suspect I am right. As a Chief, I can share some stories that puzzled me and some personal stories that impacted me to choose to retire vs some of the "crap" that was taking place in "my Navy" in the mid-1990s when I chose to retire. Could I, at least, encourage you to think about my words. I suspect you are a good person with a moral and ethical code who was dismayed.
I'll close with this. As a young HM3 a very season and very old school HMCM in the later 1970s told me "When this job quits being fun, retire or get out!" I made a choice not to be compromised by those who themselves had compromised their honor and wanted other to do the same. It was not the Navy I had known, the role of the Chief I had come to serve. I will say, that had my last Master Chief been my 1st Master Chief, I would not have stayed past 4-years. Thankfully, this very bad person was at what would the sooner than expected the twilight of my Naval career. Others, seeing he retired and left the command shortly after my wife retired, tried to get me to change my mind including the CO himself, who was a Korean and Vietnam vet with several combat tours under his belt. I told the skipper "Sir, I don't recognize what is becoming the CPO mess and if Chiefs (I was referring to the political stench that was beginning to permeate the CPO mess) are going act this way, it is time for me to retire." I simply made a choice to keep my honor in tact!!! Simple as that!
I hope my words mean something! Most of all, I hope to come to value what Gen Casey is offering. If we as veterans loose that then we have truly - LOST!!!
GEN George Casey; COL Mikel J. Burroughs; Maj Marty Hogan; SMSGT Gerald "Doc" Thomas; SCPO Morris Ramsey
Values are IDEALS to aspire to. Some people fail to do this - aspire to more. I suspect the "values" you left behind were not "values" they were choices. Choices by others that may have abused their power and authority, or may have failed to exercise it when needed to serve a more just cause. Those are choices by human beings - NOT Values!
Values, like the Declaration of Independence and words of the Preamble to the Constitution are, and other documents - are VALUES (aka IDEALS) that are worth working to live by. It is NOT easy, but MEN and WOMEN of HONOR make choices every day to aspire to these sometimes impossible standards.
Shipmate, I suspect I am right. As a Chief, I can share some stories that puzzled me and some personal stories that impacted me to choose to retire vs some of the "crap" that was taking place in "my Navy" in the mid-1990s when I chose to retire. Could I, at least, encourage you to think about my words. I suspect you are a good person with a moral and ethical code who was dismayed.
I'll close with this. As a young HM3 a very season and very old school HMCM in the later 1970s told me "When this job quits being fun, retire or get out!" I made a choice not to be compromised by those who themselves had compromised their honor and wanted other to do the same. It was not the Navy I had known, the role of the Chief I had come to serve. I will say, that had my last Master Chief been my 1st Master Chief, I would not have stayed past 4-years. Thankfully, this very bad person was at what would the sooner than expected the twilight of my Naval career. Others, seeing he retired and left the command shortly after my wife retired, tried to get me to change my mind including the CO himself, who was a Korean and Vietnam vet with several combat tours under his belt. I told the skipper "Sir, I don't recognize what is becoming the CPO mess and if Chiefs (I was referring to the political stench that was beginning to permeate the CPO mess) are going act this way, it is time for me to retire." I simply made a choice to keep my honor in tact!!! Simple as that!
I hope my words mean something! Most of all, I hope to come to value what Gen Casey is offering. If we as veterans loose that then we have truly - LOST!!!
GEN George Casey; COL Mikel J. Burroughs; Maj Marty Hogan; SMSGT Gerald "Doc" Thomas; SCPO Morris Ramsey
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CPO Nate S.
SCPO Morris Ramsey - Thanks! Seems like to me our jobs as CHIEFS go up to the day we are put over the side for the last time.
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As the saying goes: I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution from all enimies, bot foreign and domestic. I may have left the service but I never was relieved of my oath.
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