military oath

Soldier's sworn commitment

A military oath is a formal pledge taken by those entering armed service, typically swearing allegiance to a nation, constitution, or sovereign and promising to obey orders and fulfill duties.

In the U.S., enlisted personnel swear to obey the orders of the president and officers, while officers swear only to support the Constitution: She took the military oath at the recruitment center.

The oath carries legal weight—violations can result in court-martial.

Related

active duty · tour of duty · enlistment · swearing in ceremony · honor · loyalty · pledge · service · country · flag · ceremony · soldier · induction · vow · solemn · defend · constitution · commission

Categories
Opposites
formality and binding nature

military oathpinky swear

Pledge sealed by linking fingers

verbal agreement · gentleman's agreement · lip service · empty words · empty promise

institutional allegiance

military oathdesertion

Unlawful abandonment of duty

draft resistance · treason · Hippocratic oath · defection

commitment vs. release

military oathmilitary discharge

Formal release from service

honorable discharge · discharge papers · mustering out · demobilization · resignation

Family

military, oath, militia, militant, militarism, militaristic, militarize, militarization, militate

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