Should the USAF require its personnel to take an oath that mentions God?
I sure am glad no one is forced to take the Oath. That would probably be unconstitutional. The USAF can require whatever they want from their personnel. Whether it's right or wrong is a value judgment that usually plays out in the court of public opinion regardless of any Constitutional law. If there are enough people who don't like any given requirement then the politicians will step in and direct how they want it to change.If I want to join the USAF but I don't want to make an oath with God then perhaps I should reconsider my career plans. On the other hand, if I'm already in the USAF and the requirements change I may actually have a case for consideration.Personally, I really can't see why this can't be solved by going through the motions and signing on the dotted line. The legal signature is the real binding action anyway. But I can also sympathize with the concern that going through the motions may violate an individual's principles. It may prevent them from feeling safe in that environment.For those who believe that this is an unconscionable infringement of their personal freedoms, please weight the costs and benefits of engaging their leadership and the public. It's important to consider some of the these questions:Who are you going to fight for?Why is it so important to you?What will happen if you succeed?What will happen if you fail?What are your alternatives?Will the fruits of your efforts be passed on to the next generation of USAF personnel?What personal privacy might be lost?What notoriety may be gained from making a case to change this requirement?I hope that helps a little. Have a nice day.
Can I break an enlistment contract after swearing in the Air Force?
Ok, if you are in the DEP program and have Not taken your Second Oath of Enlistment , signed your contract and shipped to Boot Camp (usually all done on the day you ship out to boot camp) , then you can back out of DEP. You will be within your rights. You will need to draft a letter to the Recruiting Command stating you wish to be released from DEP and no longer wish to join. The recruiter may be angry and try to talk you out of backing out but there is nothing they can truly do. So if you get any threats then they aren't telling the truth. However, if you change your mind and decide later on to join again, the Air Force may be hesitant to work with you. No they don't own you either and don't listen to those on here who say they do. You will not get a Honorable , OTH or any other discharge because you aren't truly in yet. Just a generalized release from DEP.
Are members (officer and enlisted) of the U.S. Military released from their oaths when discharged?
United States Armed Forces oath of enlistment.Upon enlisting in the United States Armed Forces, each person enlisting in an armed force (whether a Soldier, Sailor, Coast Guardsman, Airman, or Marine) takes an oath of enlistment required by federal statute in 10 U.S.C. § 502. That section provides the text of the oath and sets out who may administer the oath:(a) Enlistment Oath.— Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath:"I, (state name of enlistee), 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."(b) Who May Administer.— The oath may be taken before the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary of Defense, any commissioned officer, or any other person designated under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Defense.Army Regulation 601-210, Active and Reserve Components Enlistment Program provides that:A commissioned officer of any service will administer the Oath of Enlistment in DD Form 4 orally, in English, to each application. Make a suitable arrangement to ensure that the oath is administered in a dignified manner and in proper surroundings. display the U.S. flag prominently near the officer giving the oath. The words "So help me God" may be omitted for persons who desire to affirm rather than to swear to the oath.[1]There is no duration defined in the Oath itself. The term of service for each enlisted person is written on the DD Form 4 series, the contract which specifies the enlistment period, which for a first-time enlistee is typically four or six years, which can be a combination of active duty and time spent in a reserve component, although enlisted reservists are subject to activation until the end of the eight-year initial military obligation.Officers do not take the same oath as enlisted personnel, instead taking a similar United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office.
God and the Military?
Seperation of Church and stae. Well, it is called the Establishment Clause, from the first amendment stating their shall be no establishment of a religion. Nowhere in the Constitution, 27 Amendments, or the Federalist Papers (written by those who wrote the Constitution, and used as a Reference for US Supreme Court Interpretations) does it say their shall be a seperation. This stems from a desicion in the early 1800's from I believe John Jays Court, when a Chucrh of the US was attempted to be formed. I'm not sure of the details, little foggy on that one. But, where that seperation is, is still not clearly defined, hence the current battle. Remeber the same amendment for the establishment clause, also protects freedom to express religous views.
Joining the Military with no parental support?
I'm sorry but your mom is an insensitive, callous woman. I think she wants you to be aware that you can be hurt in the military... you can be hurt at any workplace but your odds do increase when you are in the military. But to then tell you that she wouldn't attend your graduation... what a horrible thing to say to your child. My son is in the military and I couldn't possibly be more proud of him! Do I worry? Of course I do, I'm his mom, I would worry about him no matter what he did. I'm sorry I'm not in Texas anymore, I would gladly come to your graduation and cheer for you! I'm in Wisconsin and too far to get there for a day. If you want to join the military... go for it! You'll be thrilled that you did it for the experience, the career you might have if you stay for 20, the places you will see, the benefits that you will be eligible for... when you retire at 39 years old, you can tell your mom, I'm in one piece, I'm alive and I'm collecting a pension already, a nice pension! What did you have at 38 mom???? :) Don't let it be discouraging that she doesn't want to support you. She might even turn around and see the good in it and be there for you. Best of luck! I'm the moderator on a Coast Guard forum website, I know there are similar ones out there for the other services. Find the Air Force one, talk to people, find out what to expect and do what will make you happiest in life. Don't do something that someone else wants you to do and then have regrets later in life that you didn't pursue your dreams.
Is it true or legal that someone who is atheist has to take a religious sounding oath in the US Armed Forces?
Yes, it's apparently true, unfortunately.I served in the Air Force for 10 years, 1980-1990. I started enlisted and became a commissioned officer in 1985. During that time, I took two oaths of enlistment and one oath of office and each time I was told I was NOT required to state "so help me God" as part of that oath - and each time I recited the oath I did not state "so help me God". I also attended many formal events as a military member and stood quietly during the prayers that were offered without bowing or saying "amen" at the end of them.Apparently the Air Force has slowly become a muscle unit for evangelical Christianity. There are reports of religious bullying at the Academy and throughout the ranks. I hope it's investigated thoroughly and changed.
What is the exact oath that every cadet take during the passing out ceremony in IMA or NDA?
There are 2 oaths while getting Antim Pag or Passing out Parade.1). Form of Oath.2). Form of Affirmation.Form of Oath.I, ________________ do swear in the name of god that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution of India as by the law established and that I will, as in duty bound, honesty and faithfully serve in the regular army of the union of India and go wherever ordered by land, sea or air and that I will observe and obey all commands of the president of the union of India, and the commands of any officer set over even to the peril of my life.Form of Affirmation.I, _____________ do solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the constitution of India as by the law established and that I will, as in duty bound, honesty and faithfully serve in the regular army of the union of India and go wherever ordered, by land, sea or air and that I will observe and obey all commands of the President of the Union of India and the commands of any officer set over me even to the peril of my life.There are many aspirants who have dream of taking this oath.Just keep working towards your goal and let your dreams come true.Jai Hind