Military Codes, Oaths, Creeds and Pledges

The following is an extract from this

Military Code of Conduct (COC)

published by President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Article I. 

I am an American, fighting in the forces, which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II. 

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III. 

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV. 

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action, which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V. 

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI. 

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

The COC, covered under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, provides information U.S. Prisoners of War (POWs) need to know to survive honorably and resist their captor's efforts to exploit them. The COC was published by President Eisenhower on 17 August 1955. It has since been modified twice; by President Jimmy Carter in 1977 and by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Our basic responsibilities and obligations as U.S. military service members comes from this code.

Oath of Enlistment

I, [state full name], 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 AIRMAN'S CREED

I am an American Airman.

I am a warrior.

I have answered my nation’s call.

I am an American Airman.

My mission is to fly, fight, and win.

I am faithful to a proud heritage,

A tradition of honor,

And a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman,

Guardian of freedom and justice,

My nation’s sword and shield,

Its sentry and avenger.

I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman:

Wingman, leader, warrior.

I will never leave an Airman behind,

I will never falter,

And I will not fail.

Pledge of Allegiance

by Francis Bellamy

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

The Pledge of Allegiance was originally published on 8 September 1892 in "The Youth's Companion" magazine for students to repeat on Columbus Day that year. The original pledge was modified on 14 June 1923 and again in June 1954. Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance in 1942.

"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

~SOMEONE PAYS FOR YOU AND ME~

"HELICOPTERS" - THE ONLY WAY TO FLY

~NEVER FORGOTTEN~