As an aspiring curator on the STEEM platform, I have read a great deal over the past few months. Having done so, I wish to make comment on some of the political commentary and videos I have seen. The following gives my resume and my feelings on the information being posted daily.
This is the oath I took over 39 years ago as a 17 year old young man:
I, Daniel Lamb, 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.
Source: The Official Website of the United States Marine Corps
This is the oath that commissioned officers, as of 1962, take:
I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the _____ (Military Branch) 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 or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations 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.
Source: The Official Website of the United States Marine Corps
Do you see any differences? It really sticks in my craw when people quote the oath much like they do the Bible. They mention the parts they like and leave out the rest.
There is no mention of lawful order in either oath, but the enlisted oath does state that the orders obeyed are to be in accordance with regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Prior to 1962, Commissioned Officers and Enlisted personnel both swore to obey the orders of the President and there were not two separate oaths. The reasoning for this I do not know presently, but must do a bit more research.
I swore to obey the President of the United States. Doesn't matter if I like him/her or his/her policies. My oath never expired nor do I abbreviate it. This is what is called honor in my Marine Corps. I don't have to like it, but one of the few things I agree with what our current President once said,
But, you know, he must've known what he signed up for... or words to that effect.
As a life time member of the American Legion and a serving Sergeant-at-Arms I say the pledge of allegiance every month and also recite the following with my comrades:
For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
We all have a duty, whether military or civilian, to support and defend our Nation. Political disagreements should be seen as such, disagreements. At no time during my activities, be it at a peaceful protest or meeting with my representatives, have I ever not borne faith and allegiance to either my oath as a Marine or as a Legionnaire.
My beliefs are not in alignment with the far left or the far right. I do not represent the beliefs of any group for that matter. I concern myself with policies and not personalities or political parties. I have respect for those who act upon their personal beliefs, regardless of whether I agree with them. If one looks to the benefit of mankind and its future and do not demonstrate selfish self-aggrandizing behavior, they are my friends and have my total support regardless of whether I agree with their positions.
I am both a G-D fearer and a humanist. I make no apology for being either.
I guess it boils down to this, and I say this without an accusatory tone, one may talk the talk, but then it is time to walk the walk.
This why the oaths are different...
If this is the case, however, then why is the distinction made between the two oaths when both enlisted and officers are not obligated to follow unlawful orders according to the UCMJ?
Officers, especially at higher ranks, have a unique position of authority and influence within the organization that could be taken advantage of for political gain. Swearing loyalty to the Constitution instead of the president or any other person means that officials cannot manipulate officers in order to gain control over the military and become dictators.
http://www.quantico.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/611510/the-difference-between-oath-of-office-oath-of-enlistment/
Curated for #informationwar (by @stevescoins)
Relevance: The oath to defend the Constitution
Our Purpose
A note from @stevescoins (too lazy to jump over to my account)...
The first part of the oath is to defend the Constitution, therefore, no order that violates the Constitution, whether it is from the President or not, is valid.
When something is ambiguous, the President's orders should carry the day, but when an order clearly violates the purpose of the Constitution, the number one priority of the Constitution being the protection of the citizen, the order becomes instantly invalid.
I'll put this in the example of LE, since they swear a similar oath to defend the Constitution, and the situation comes up far more often. No "stand down" order is valid, period, since it violates the prime purpose of the Constitution, which is to defend citizens.
That doesn't mean that LE has to do things that are impossible to do, but it does mean LE should arrest politicians that issue "stand down" orders when citizens are in danger and LE can act.
Very good, but I do not know what LE is, could you enlighten me?
sorry for the late reply...LE = law enforcement
LEO= law enforcement officers
Thank you!
I hear you, and I respect you for your conviction and service. I also think there becomes a problem when the sitting commander in chief becomes a domestic enemy to the people and the freedom we hold dear. I'm not saying this to sway your beliefs or to get in an argument, but I feel strongly that the person in office is there in part because of foreign manipulation and that neither he nor his policies are doing the country any good. He's made a joke of this nation, more than anyone before him. I hope we rise from the ashes of this trash fire and become both more humble and willing to work together. Peace!
You are preaching to the choir girlfriend! I could not agree with you more, but as a man who has taken orders most of my life, the current situation in this Country and its elected leadership is a hard pill to swallow.
Though I am still affiliated with the military, I have been arrested at a number of protests in the past two years. The Democratic National Convention and also a non-partisan protest at our Nation's capitol. Also attended the woman's march and wore an homemade pussy hat (I crocheted it myself).
I did not speak for the military, but did speak as a former combat Veteran that is disappointed in the direction our leadership has taken. I am a bit left of center. I am an Independent Voter and a member of neither political party. Hell, I voted for Jill Stein. Her running mate during the 2016 Campaign is a Vietnam Veteran; not my reason for voting for her, but she was my candidate as I liked what she promoted: Peace and care of the earth.
I do not share this with you to brag, by no means, but so that you may understand me a little better as well as my political ideology.
Best to you and your loved ones always sweetheart.
@sgt-dan (Sargento) the hippy Jarhead
Great post, sir! I know, you are not a "sir" you work for a living. You have upvoted some of my posts and I deeply appreciate it. I'm glad to return the favor with this most excellent definition of personal integrity. I look forward to more!
wanted to drop by and tell you that you won the steem prize for the trippy selfie contest.....good job , amazing steemian and amazing post and entry <3 b.a.
Wow! Thank you! I am rich peoples!
Same should be the position of every man and woman in uniform round the globe. Nice post bro!
Thank you so much for your comment as well as the resteem. Have a great week!
@originalworks
Thank you for your upvote @hispeedimagins!
