Yeah, I know, some people might think this belongs in the Military forum, but the reason I put it in Current Events is because of the current NFL furor about players taking a knee.
Well, lots of people on this board, and on the television, have said that not saluting the flag during the anthem is disrespectful to the military, because they aren't saluting the flag during the anthem.
Hate to tell you people, but it's not. The military never swears an oath to the flag or the anthem. They swear an oath to the Constitution, and that oath to support and defend it also means that we support and defend the rights contained in it like free speech, even if we don't agree with the speech that is said.
Here, for all you people who have never seen the oath of enlistment........................
Be Ready To Raise Your Right Hand | Military.com
The Oath of Enlistment (for enlisted):
"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; 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."
The Oath of Office (for officers):
"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."
The only thing referred to in the oath, is the US Constitution, not the flag, not the anthem. And supporting free speech provided by that document isn't disrespectful to the military. Trying to stop others from exercising their right to free speech however, is.
Well, lots of people on this board, and on the television, have said that not saluting the flag during the anthem is disrespectful to the military, because they aren't saluting the flag during the anthem.
Hate to tell you people, but it's not. The military never swears an oath to the flag or the anthem. They swear an oath to the Constitution, and that oath to support and defend it also means that we support and defend the rights contained in it like free speech, even if we don't agree with the speech that is said.
Here, for all you people who have never seen the oath of enlistment........................
Be Ready To Raise Your Right Hand | Military.com
The Oath of Enlistment (for enlisted):
"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; 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."
The Oath of Office (for officers):
"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."
The only thing referred to in the oath, is the US Constitution, not the flag, not the anthem. And supporting free speech provided by that document isn't disrespectful to the military. Trying to stop others from exercising their right to free speech however, is.