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Military Codes, Creeds, Oaths and Pledges

Military Code of Conduct (COC) published by President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Article I.

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II.

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III.

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV.

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V.

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI.

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

The COC, covered under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, provides information U.S. Prisoners of War (POWs) need to know to survive honorably and resist their captor's efforts to exploit them. The COC was published by President Eisenhower on 17 August 1955. It has since been modified twice; by President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Our basic responsibilities and obligations as U.S. military service members comes from this code.

Oath of Enlistment

I, [state full name], do solemly 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 overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Oath of Enlistment - National Guard

I, [state full name], do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of [name of state] 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 Governor of [name of state] and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God.

The last words in both oaths, "So help me God," are optional, depending on the individual's personal religious preferences.

Air Force Airman's Creed

I am an Airman,
A newly planted seed growing each day, exceeding all expectations.

I am an Airman,
One of the many, the strong, and the proud.

I am an Airman,
Backbone of the Air Force, focused on quality, integrity, and excellence.

I am an Airman,
Eager to learn the skills for tomorrow's needs.

I am an Airman,
Continuously striving to become more than I thought I could and encouraging my fellow airmen to do the same.

I am an Airman,
Going above and beyond what is expected by those appointed over me.

I am an Airman,
A follower, transforming into a future leader.

I am an Airman,
A part of the hope and promise of freedom, willing to die so that freedom may live.

I am an Airman!

Army Noncommissioned Officer's (NCO) Creed

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army." I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind--accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

Learn more about the "Origins of the NCO Creed" by Sergeants Major (SGM) Daniel Elder and Felix Sanchez (Members-only download)

Army Soldier's Creed - The Warrior Ethos first introduced by General Shinseki

ScreenSaver Downloads: 800x600 - 1024x768 (Members-only downloads)

I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my Warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

The Soldier's Creed was first introduced in June 2003 by General Eric Shinseki. The current format was approved on 24 November 2003 by General Peter Schoomaker. Its introduction kicked off the Task Force Soldier campaign.

Marine Corps Rifleman's Creed by Major General William H. Rupertus

This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.

My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will ...

My rifle and I know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit ...

My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strengths, its parts, its accessories, its sights, and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will ...

Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace!

Major General Rupertus is thought to have written the creed after the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Commonly known as the "Rifleman's Creed", the "Marine Corps Rifleman's Creed" has also been called "My Rifle: The Creed of a United States Marine". Every Marine is required to memorize and live by the creed.

Marine NCO's Creed

I am an NCO dedicated to training new Marines and influencing the old. I am forever conscious of each Marine under my charge, and by example will inspire him to the highest standards possible. I will strive to be patient, understanding, just, and firm. I will commend the deserving and encourage the wayward.

I will never forget that I am responsible to my Commanding Officer for the morale, discipline, and efficiency of my men. Their performance will reflect an image of me.

Sailor's Creed

I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

Pledge of Allegiance by Francis Bellamy

I pledge allegiance to the 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.

The Pledge of Allegiance was originally published on 8 September 1892 in "The Youth's Companion" magazine for students to repeat on Columbus Day that year. The original pledge was modified on 14 June 1923 and again in June 1954. Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance in 1942.

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This page was last updated on April 23, 2006 7:11 PM.

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