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Well and truly stated. It would be an interesting study to see what past members of the military who are Freepers remeber reagrding the oath they took when taken into the military ... weren't the oaths then sworn as an allegiance to the country and the flag? Has the ACLU managed to remove even fealty to the nation?

"It would be an interesting study to see what past members of the military who are Freepers remeber reagrding the oath they took when taken into the military "

I took my military oath when I joined the USAF in 1965. In it, I swore to obey orders and uphold the Constitution of the United States. We were told that we could either use the word "swear" or "affirm" in the oath and that the words, "so help me God" were optional. Then we were sworn in.

The military oaths are modeled after the oaths of office specified in the Constitution. The Constitution says "swear or affirm" and makes no mention of any "so help me God" phrase.

Since American citizens come in all faiths, and some in no faith at all, all oaths required of American citizens must be of a form that all American citizens can say in good faith.

Here are the oaths for enlisted service personnel. Note that the oath for National Guard personnel is slightly different.

As far as I know, this has been the form of the oath for a very, very long time. Nothing about the flag in there. Never was.

I, ___________________________________, 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.

In the National Guard (Army or Air)

I, _________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of ___________________________________ 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 ________________________ and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God.

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