Defending the Constitution

Our Common Bond


WELCOME TO THE ARMY TEAM! A TEAM MADE SPECIAL BY THE OATH YOU AND OTHERS TAKE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THOSE WHO TOOK THE OATH AND SERVED BEFORE YOU CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED THE ARMY'S LEADERSHIP VALUES OF LOYALTY, DUTY, RESPECT, SELFLESS-SERVICE, HONOR, INTEGRITY, AND PERSONAL COURAGE. THIS PAMPHLET DESCRIBES THE LINK BETWEEN YOUR OATH AND THOSE VALUES AND VIVIDLY ILLUSTRATES THE CHALLENGE YOU ACCEPT WHEN YOU PLEDGE TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.


OATH OF OFFICE
(OFFICERS AND ARMY CIVILIANS)


"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; 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."


OATH OF ENLISTMENT


"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."


When taking the oath, you accept the same demands now that American soldiers and Army civilians have Embodied since the Revolutionary War. The oath deals with values and ethics. The acceptance of and adherence to the leadership values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage will lead to successful and rewarding careers like those of the citizen soldiers who served in the early years.

These attributes are collectively referred to as the Army ethic. By instilling these values within each soldier and Army civilian, we can strengthen the professional Army ethic.