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.
