It is public law:
U.S. Code › Title 10 › Subtitle A › Part II › Chapter 31 › § 502
10 U.S. Code § 502 - Enlistment oath: who may administer:
(a) Enlistment Oath.— Each person enlisting in an armed force shall take the following oath: “I, XXXXXXXXXX, 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.”
Bad law, but it is the law until revised or overturned.
Well the AF writes the checks! Policy is policy! You want to be part of the firm get on board if not join something else!
Also I am an AF Vet and an oath is an oath and if you cannot live up to I don’t need you by my side!
From lowest cop to highest ranking military officer- one is 100 percent morally responsible for everything they do, saying “following orders” or “just going by procedure/ the letter of the law” is not, and never should be even the slightest mitigating factor.