Posted on Feb 27, 2016
Oaths of Enlistment and Oaths of Office - U.S. Army Center of Military History
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The wordings of the current oath of enlistment and oath for commissioned officers are as follows:
"I, _____, 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." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
"I, _____ (SSAN), 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 reservation 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." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army:
Enlisted: The first oath, voted on 14 June 1775 as part of the act creating the Continental Army, read: "I _____ have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said Army." The original wording was effectively replaced by Section 3, Article 1, of the Articles of War approved by Congress on 20 September 1776, which specified that the oath of enlistment read: "I _____ swear (or affirm as the case may be) to be trued to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies opposers whatsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the Continental Congress, and the orders of the Generals and officers set over me by them."
Officers: Continental Congress passed two versions of this oath of office, applied to military and civilian national officers. The first, on 21 October 1776, read: "I _____, do acknowledge the Thirteen United States of America, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, independent, and sovereign states, and declare, that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend the said United States against the said king, George the third, and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents; and will serve the said United States in the office of _____, which I now hold, and in any other office which I may hereafter hold by their appointment, or under their authority, with fidelity and honour, and according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God." The revised version, voted 3 February 1778, read "I, _____ do acknowledge the United States of America to be free, independent and sovereign states, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience, to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him: and I do swear (or affirm) that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain and defend the said United States, against the said king George the third and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of _____ which I now hold, with fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God."
The first oath under the Constitution was approved by Act of Congress 29 September 1789 (Sec. 3, Ch. 25, 1st Congress). It applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers and privates in the service of the United States. It came in two parts, the first of which read: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the constitution of the United States." The second part read: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) to bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully, against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America, and the orders of the officers appointed over me." The next section of that chapter specified that "the said troops shall be governed by the rules and articles of war, which have been established by the United States in Congress assembled, or by such rules and articles of war as may hereafter by law be established."
Although the enlisted oath remained unchanged until 1950, the officer oath has undergone substantial minor modification since 1789. A change in about 1830 read: "I, _____, appointed a _____ in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles for the government of the Armies of the United States." Under an act of 2 July 1862 the oath became: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have never borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatsoever under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power, or constitution within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, 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 reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God." An act of 13 May 1884 reverted to a simpler formulation: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." This version remained in effect until the 1959 adoption of the present wording
"I, _____, 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." (Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
"I, _____ (SSAN), 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 reservation 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." (DA Form 71, 1 August 1959, for officers.)
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress established different oaths for the enlisted men and officers of the Continental Army:
Enlisted: The first oath, voted on 14 June 1775 as part of the act creating the Continental Army, read: "I _____ have, this day, voluntarily enlisted myself, as a soldier, in the American continental army, for one year, unless sooner discharged: And I do bind myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regulations, as are, or shall be, established for the government of the said Army." The original wording was effectively replaced by Section 3, Article 1, of the Articles of War approved by Congress on 20 September 1776, which specified that the oath of enlistment read: "I _____ swear (or affirm as the case may be) to be trued to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies opposers whatsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the Continental Congress, and the orders of the Generals and officers set over me by them."
Officers: Continental Congress passed two versions of this oath of office, applied to military and civilian national officers. The first, on 21 October 1776, read: "I _____, do acknowledge the Thirteen United States of America, namely, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to be free, independent, and sovereign states, and declare, that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend the said United States against the said king, George the third, and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents; and will serve the said United States in the office of _____, which I now hold, and in any other office which I may hereafter hold by their appointment, or under their authority, with fidelity and honour, and according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God." The revised version, voted 3 February 1778, read "I, _____ do acknowledge the United States of America to be free, independent and sovereign states, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience, to George the third, king of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him: and I do swear (or affirm) that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain and defend the said United States, against the said king George the third and his heirs and successors, and his and their abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of _____ which I now hold, with fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding. So help me God."
The first oath under the Constitution was approved by Act of Congress 29 September 1789 (Sec. 3, Ch. 25, 1st Congress). It applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers and privates in the service of the United States. It came in two parts, the first of which read: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will support the constitution of the United States." The second part read: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) to bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully, against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America, and the orders of the officers appointed over me." The next section of that chapter specified that "the said troops shall be governed by the rules and articles of war, which have been established by the United States in Congress assembled, or by such rules and articles of war as may hereafter by law be established."
Although the enlisted oath remained unchanged until 1950, the officer oath has undergone substantial minor modification since 1789. A change in about 1830 read: "I, _____, appointed a _____ in the Army of the United States, do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles for the government of the Armies of the United States." Under an act of 2 July 1862 the oath became: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have never borne arms against the United States since I have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor accepted nor attempted to exercise the functions of any office whatsoever under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; that I have not yielded voluntary support to any pretended government, authority, power, or constitution within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear (or affirm) that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, 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 reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God." An act of 13 May 1884 reverted to a simpler formulation: "I, A.B., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God." This version remained in effect until the 1959 adoption of the present wording
Oaths of Enlistment and Oaths of Office - U.S. Army Center of Military History
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Oath
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And unlike my service, the oath doesn't have a "used by" date. It lives forever.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSG Warren Swan THANK YOU FOR THOSE MAJESTIC WORDS......SMDH.. in GLEE AND JOY! Strong words like no other embedded in my MIND, BODY and SOUL. Inspirational like no other RESPONSE I have had on RALLYPOINT. Something in my opinion all VETERANS should henceforth.
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SSG Warren Swan
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL - It's YOUR fault. It's Drills like you who plant the seed we don't have a clue what it means, and it's NCO's like YOU who take the seed and put some food in the soil that we soak up hopefully. It's NCO's like YOU who see us backtracking and tighten us up and bring us back. It's NCO's like YOU, who in the end, show us what we need to survive and believe in a system that is crooked and broken at times, but gives us a chance we'd never get anywhere else. I know for a fact, I should've been sent packing on more than one occasion, and a NCO took me to the side gave me some parade rest words of wisdom, and many magic bullet sessions, and in the end, I made it. I didn't realize all they did until I had the chance to really look back and see how much of a fuck up I was. But I did pass on some of what they said to me, and got the chance to save and promote others along the way. But the constant was a belief in the Army, and a belief in the Corps. Without them, I'd be another statistic in DC. So THANK YOU Drill Sergeant. Without you, there's no me.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSG Warren Swan I am honored to have FELLOW NCO's to have as a Battle Buddy. I do think about those WTF moments that tested me to my core. It left an indulging aspect in my life to Choosing the Hard Right Over the Easy Wrong.
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What is Loyalty and Love of Country?
Is it something that changes, as a person gets better off?
Does it change for you, because of those around you, might be of different sex, skin tone, or because of the language they speak, country of birth, or faith?
Do you know that our government "The American Government" is supposed to be for all members and having equality in all respects?
If you don't, what country do you live in?
My heart beats American, I was raised to know, the promise of freedom, liberty, the right to happiness, and equal treatment for all under our law.
Do you understand no Nation has ever existed with a promise of a government "Of, For and By the People". One not created to be ruled over by kings, dictators, or pretend Holy men or Holy women. Do you understand our form of government never did exist until the Americas Constitution and Bill of Rights being written? And for you who don't understand, America was fought for and created by "We The People" who were nothing more or less, than a collection of immigrants from around the world?
Now after our Nation was born and sanctified by the lives and the living blood, of our people and now there are those who would destroy it, take it apart, steal the strength of being a diverse Nation based on Wisdom and replace it Greedy, Power Hungry, Murderers who rule by hate and death?
Our Flag Red, White, and Blue, is a story of the costs and the benefits of the American Way- look up the meaning of the colors, and remember how many people gave all, to raise her High over our lands.
I've pledged my allegiance to our flag, of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and to the Republic, For Which It Stands, One Nation, "under God", Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All.
And as a Veteran, I took an Oath to Defend Our Constitution against ALL FOES.
I, "Willis Ronald Linn Sr." 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.
(Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
I Will Not Stand Down, against treason, by anybody, and I remain prepared and ready to follow my Duty!
Don't mess with my fellow Americans, because I promise even in death I will try to follow you and bring you down.
CRIMINALS GET OUT OF OUR AMERICAN GOVERNMENT NOW!
Is it something that changes, as a person gets better off?
Does it change for you, because of those around you, might be of different sex, skin tone, or because of the language they speak, country of birth, or faith?
Do you know that our government "The American Government" is supposed to be for all members and having equality in all respects?
If you don't, what country do you live in?
My heart beats American, I was raised to know, the promise of freedom, liberty, the right to happiness, and equal treatment for all under our law.
Do you understand no Nation has ever existed with a promise of a government "Of, For and By the People". One not created to be ruled over by kings, dictators, or pretend Holy men or Holy women. Do you understand our form of government never did exist until the Americas Constitution and Bill of Rights being written? And for you who don't understand, America was fought for and created by "We The People" who were nothing more or less, than a collection of immigrants from around the world?
Now after our Nation was born and sanctified by the lives and the living blood, of our people and now there are those who would destroy it, take it apart, steal the strength of being a diverse Nation based on Wisdom and replace it Greedy, Power Hungry, Murderers who rule by hate and death?
Our Flag Red, White, and Blue, is a story of the costs and the benefits of the American Way- look up the meaning of the colors, and remember how many people gave all, to raise her High over our lands.
I've pledged my allegiance to our flag, of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and to the Republic, For Which It Stands, One Nation, "under God", Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All.
And as a Veteran, I took an Oath to Defend Our Constitution against ALL FOES.
I, "Willis Ronald Linn Sr." 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.
(Title 10, US Code; Act of 5 May 1960 replacing the wording first adopted in 1789, with amendment effective 5 October 1962).
I Will Not Stand Down, against treason, by anybody, and I remain prepared and ready to follow my Duty!
Don't mess with my fellow Americans, because I promise even in death I will try to follow you and bring you down.
CRIMINALS GET OUT OF OUR AMERICAN GOVERNMENT NOW!
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I have sworn many oats to the US government as a soldier SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL . in 1974 as a private, in 1980 as a brand new Infantry 2nd Lieutenant and in 1992 as a seasoned Captain. I have repeated the words as I swore in NCOs and soldiers as they reenlisted over the years.
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