There have been items in the recent news to the effect that former president Donald J. Trump was allegedly surprised to be told that “his generals” had not taken an oath of loyalty to him. It is possible that some voters who still support him may not know the actual words in the oath all U.S. military officers take. Here they are:

“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 on which I am about to enter.  So help me God.”

Note: the word “President” is not in this oath. Oaths of office for judges, members of congress, other government officials, etc., mirror this wording. They do not mention the President.

The oath of enlistment in the armed forces is similar except that it does include “…I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me….”  This does not include “loyalty” to the president. But it still places emphasis on support and defense of the Constitution, even ahead of obeying the president and officers over them. No oath requires one taking it to act illegally or immorally.

Ken Freimuth

LTC, US Army, ret.

Ogden