| There are some oaths that people do not take | | | | unit's guidon. The original Oath was modified |
| seriously; they are merely repeated without much | | | | throughout the Revolutionary war and its aftermath |
| meaning. When it comes to the ultimate service for | | | | and then was finalized by constitutional amendment in |
| one's country and fellow countrymen, the Oath of | | | | 1962. The Oath no longer specifies a specific term of |
| Enlistment is not just lip service. Army enlistment and | | | | service; instead, a recruit's contract specifies the |
| federal law requires the speaking of this Oath; it is a | | | | service length. Yet, the Oath is higher than a |
| sacred institution that every member of the armed | | | | contract, it is a commitment to a nations ideals. |
| services should be proud to recite and honor through | | | | The Oath |
| every action they take. | | | | And here are those immoral words that commit a |
| The First Oath | | | | dedicated man or woman to serve their country: |
| The Oath was introduced by the first patriots this | | | | "I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will |
| country ever saw, those brave souls who fought for | | | | support and defend the Constitution of the United |
| our independence starting in 1775. The Continental | | | | States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that |
| Congress established the first Oath that fateful | | | | I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and |
| summer when our democracy was declared. The | | | | that I will obey the orders of the President of the |
| enlisted men of the first Continental Army pledged | | | | United States and the orders of the officers |
| their service to the first American army and armed | | | | appointed over me, according to regulations and the |
| service ever created. This first Oath was only for a | | | | Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." |
| one year term of service, but over time nearly every | | | | Take special notice that the Oath is a sworn pledge |
| man came back for the entire length of the struggled | | | | to protect the Constitution, and not a specific person |
| for independence. One can only imagine what it must | | | | or place. This promise is above and beyond personal |
| have felt like to speak the first Oath before an | | | | goals or ambitions; it is about the values of an entire |
| American hero such as George Washington or | | | | nation. The discipline that is essential to the safety |
| Nathanael Greene and to breathe life to our country. | | | | and effectiveness of each individual within the military |
| Today's Oath | | | | is clearly laid out in plain language right from the |
| Every person who undergoes Army enlistment or | | | | beginning. The Oath is in effect for the entire career |
| reenlistment, including service in the National Guard, is | | | | of a person in the armed service. |
| required to speak the Oath before a commissioned | | | | Enjoy the honor afforded to a select few who can |
| officer. The recruit speaks the Oath under our | | | | rise to the occasion when the time comes! |
| nation's flag, state flag, and in front of his or her | | | | |