The Oath of Office is required of all individuals, except the President, who are elected or appointed to an office of honor or profit in the civil service or uniformed services. The statute that prescribes the oath can be found in Section 3331, Title 5, United States Code.
The Oath of Office is traditionally recited upon commissioning, and upon each subsequent promotion. However, reciting the Oath of Office is not required for promotion if the officer’s service is continuous. This is different from enlisted members,who take the Oath of Enlistment upon initial enlistment and again each time they re-enlist.
Table of Contents
Purpose of the Oath of Office
The Oath of Office is required by federal law. But it has a greater meaning than simply reciting some words on a paper. Your oath is your word. The Oath of Office serves to remind you of your obligation to your service and your country. The Oath of Office is also a reflection of our Air Force Core Values, our Airman’s Creed, and our Profession of Arms.
Administering the Oath of Office
The Oath of Office is usually performed in front of an American flag, and can also be done in the presence of the state flag, service flag, or the unit flag, pennant, or guidon.
The Oath of Office is administered by a higher-ranking officer or official who will raise his or her right hand and recite the Oath of office aloud to the officer(s) taking the oath. The Oath of Office can be administered to one or more officers at the same time. The officers taking the Oath of Office also raise their right hand and repeat after the administering official.
The officer administering the Oath of Office should pause after each line to allow the members to repeat the preceding line.
Federal Oath of Office
All commissioned officers in the U.S. military take the Oath of Office when they commission as officers in their respective branch of service. Simply replace the [BRANCH OF SERVICE] with Air Force, Army, Marines, or Navy.
It is also taken by commissioned officers in the other uniformed services of the United States, including the Coast Guard (Department of Homeland Security), United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.
The Oath of Office is as follows:
I, [STATE YOUR NAME], having been appointed a [RANK] in the United States [BRANCH OF SERVICE], 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 office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.
The officer taking the Oath of Office has can choose to say either the word “swear” or “affirm” when reciting the oath. They can also choose to say or omit, “So help me God.”
Air National Guard Oath of Office
Members of the Army and Air National Guard take an additional Oath of Office, which is below.
I, [STATE YOUR NAME], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___, that I make this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of [grade] in the Army/Air National Guard of the State (Commonwealth, District, Territory) of ___ on which I am about to enter, so help me God.
The officer taking the Oath of Office has can choose to say either the word “swear” or “affirm” when reciting the oath. They can also choose to say or omit, “So help me God.”
Meaning of the Air Force Oath of Office
The following text is taken from the Profession of Arms Center for Excellence (PACE) Oath of Office Pamphlet. It includes a reference to the corresponding Air Force Doctrine.
I (name) do solemnly swear (or affirm): Signifies a public statement of commitment. You are accepting responsibility for your actions. (Integrity First and Service Before Self)
That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States: You are not swearing to support the President, the Country, the flag or a particular service, but rather the Constitution which symbolizes all of these things. (Airman’s Creed)
Against all enemies, foreign and domestic: We must always be prepared for current and future wartime operations. (Service Before Self and Airman’s Creed)
That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same: Officers pledge allegiance to the nation, not a military service or organization. (Service Before Self)
That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion: Your word is your bond! Without integrity the moral pillar of our core values is lost. (Integrity First and Airman’s Creed)
And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter: Promising to give it our all. (Excellence In All We Do and Airman’s Creed)
So help me God (optional): Signifies truth and commitment to what you have sworn to in the oath. It is a call to a higher being or divine agency to assist with ensuring your own integrity and honesty. (Integrity First)
Where Can I Learn More About the AF Oath of Office?
Download Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2006. This form has the specific information you need regarding taking the Oath of Office, Administering and Authenticating the Oath of Office, and Filing it for official records.