Military Oath of Enlistment: Lawful vs. Illegal Orders
What the Oath Actually Says The U.S. military oath of enlistment includes the promise to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and to “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 (UCMJ).” The key phrase is “according to regulations and the UCMJ.” This means obedience is conditional: orders must be lawful. ________________________________________ Why This Matters • Discipline vs. Conscience : Military effectiveness depends on obedience, but blind obedience can lead to atrocities. • Legal Safeguards : U.S. law makes clear that “ just following orders ” is not a defense for unlawful actions. • Historical Lessons: From Nuremberg trials to Vietnam’s My Lai massacre, history shows the devastating consequences of obeying illegal orders . • Modern Relevance: Recent political debates highlig...