THE MILITARY OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION

Defending the Constitution Is a Lifelong Duty

To every member of the United States military, active duty, recently separated, retired, and veteran, I write to remind you of our solemn commitment when we swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. This oath is not a temporary obligation. It does not expire upon separation from service. It is a lifetime commitment, a sacred duty that binds us to the very foundation of our nation.

When I was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964, I swore the following oath:

"I, William J. Spriggs, having been appointed an officer in the Marine Corps of the United States, 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 reservation 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 Oath Has No Expiration Date

Every man and woman who has taken this oath, whether enlisted or commissioned, must recognize its weight. It is not tied to a contract, an enlistment period, or a duty station. It does not dissolve upon retirement. It is a lifelong duty to uphold and protect the Constitution, ensuring our democracy remains intact for future generations.

At this moment in our history, that duty calls upon us again. Today's threats to our Constitution are not coming from a foreign battlefield but from within. Those who seek to dismantle democratic institutions, undermine the rule of law, and erode the foundational principles of our Republic are the very "domestic enemies" our oath requires us to defend against.

The Military’s Role as the Guardian of the Constitution

To those currently serving in uniform: your duty is clear. You are not just soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians, and Marines. You are the last line of defense for the Constitution of the United States. You are not beholden to any individual, political party, or movement. Your loyalty belongs to the Republic and the democratic system of government enshrined in our founding documents.

If anyone, whether a civilian leader, an elected official, or a military superior, commands you to act in a way that violates the Constitution, your duty is to refuse. History has shown us the consequences of blind obedience to unlawful orders. As military professionals, we swore to uphold a higher standard, obey lawful orders, and reject unconstitutional ones.

To Veterans: Our Fight Continues

Our duty has not ended for those of us no longer in uniform. While we may no longer serve officially, we remain bound to our oath. We must speak out, educate, and engage in the democratic process. We must ensure that those currently serving understand their role as guardians of the Constitution.

This is not a time for silence or complacency. Democracy is under attack. Efforts to undermine voting rights, delegitimize elections, and concentrate power into the hands of the few are threats that demand our attention and action. We must remember that our oath was not to a person; it was to an idea, to a set of principles that have guided our nation since its inception.

Honor the Oath

Once a Marine, always a Marine. Once a soldier, always a soldier. Once a defender of the Constitution, always a defender of the Constitution. In these days of national crisis, we must honor our oath in the truest sense, by fighting to preserve democracy.

Let history remember us for our uniform service and our unwavering commitment to the ideals that make America a nation worth defending.

Semper Fidelis,

William James Spriggs

Top of Form

 

Bottom of Form