A Soldier's Creed
The U.S. Army has posted their latest "Soldier's Creed" on their site, superimposed over the phrase "Warrior Ethos." The page is headed: "The Way Ahead: Our Army at War. Relevant and Ready."
Ranger offers the RAW version:I am an American soldier.
I represent the citizens of America and myself am a proud citizen.
I serve and protect the Constitution and the citizens of the United States.
I am a professional, and will obey all legal directives of the chain of command.
I am not a warrior -- I am the might and power of America. War is not a creed.
I will not participate in wars of aggression.
I will adhere to the Geneva Conventions.
I will uphold the values of America.
I am an American fighting man.
Comments and additions welcome. We're open to revisions.
Labels: soldier's creed
posted by rangeragainstwar at 12:54 PM
12 Comments:
Ah, but the 1984 Doublespeak version...
labrys,
Yes, doublespeak is seductive, in a mindless sort of way.
i heard a very scary master chief veteran of WWII and Korea once totally deride that whole "soldier's creed" thing. he said that our job has nothing whatsoever to do with what we believed, it did however concern everything we did.
i'm with ranger on the distinction between warriors and soldiers. i happen to be both, but they are distinct and separate. being a soldier is a job and a profession that should never remove one from the ranks of human beings or even from being a citizen.
warriors are a whole other thing. if we are raising a warrior caste among us, we will always have war. constant, and unending. because that's what they do.
soldiers will grouse and grumble about the boredom and lack of promotions in a "peacetime army," but, in their hearts they love it.
warriors need war for their lives to have meaning. that's very dangerous for the rest of us.
MB,
[1] If the military is doing their job, we will be in peace. As Curtis LeMay said, "peace is our product (!)" After firebombing numerous cities, of course.
[2] The promotions are more rapid in wartime simply b/c of deaths. No news flash here.
[3] The present "Soldier's Creed" is nothing but propaganda and brainwashing. This is what the soldier's are taught in basic training; any wonder we are heading toward a warrior class?
The warrior class concept breeds fascism, esp. when accepted and promulgated by the civilian authorities.
+++The warrior class concept breeds fascism, esp. when accepted and promulgated by the civilian authorities.++
This should be bill-board sized somewhere. Either that or we need to recognize that "warrior" can be someone who fights things in OTHER ways...like fighting fascism, and for the dream this country was, by voting, writing, caring, teaching. But glorification of professional killers? Yeah...the whole might is right thing; didn't "Camelot" teach us that was not the way to go?
(Falls into silly idealistic books and musicals nostalgia)
labrys,
I like your alternative read on "warriors."
"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot,
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as Camelot."
Indeed.
I understand that this creed replaces one instituted after Mai Lai which reads:
"I am an American soldier. I am a member of the United States Army - a protector of the greatest nation on earth. Because I am proud of the uniform I wear, I will always act in ways creditable to the military service and the nation that it is sworn to guard.
I am proud of my own organization. I will do all I can to make it the finest unit of the Army. I will be loyal to those under whom I serve. I will do my full part to carry out orders and instructions given me or my unit.
As a soldier, I realize that I am a member of a time-honored profession-that I am doing my share to keep alive the principles of freedom for which my country stands. No matter what situation I am in, I will never do anything for pleasure, profit or personal safety, which will disgrace my uniform, my unit or my country. I will use every means I have, even beyond the line of duty, to restrain my Army comrades from actions, disgraceful to themselves and the uniform. I am proud of my country and it's flag. I will try to make the people of this nation proud of the service I represent for I am an American soldier."
Is this true?
You are a disgrace to Rangers everywhere.
Anon, jun 13.
Thanks for the compliment.
jim
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
What about this part of the Ranger creed you were suppose to observe?
Anon,
Thanks for the ego boost,BUT, i could never embarrass the country as much as our NCA has achieved.
In short, the country should not engage in embarrassing behavior.
I will say what i will, as long as it's verifiable and true.
Thanks for your concern.
jim
Anon,
I've been thinking about your put downs and criticism to my stance.
Since you mention the Creed , then you should be aware that i was tabbed up in Jan 69,probably before you were a little squirt.
The Ranger Creed was written in 74 and i'm grandfathered in since i never took that oath. Anyway i don't believe in BLOOD OATHS or i would've joined the SS.
My research shows that Rock Hudson helped write the Creed. I worked for him in the 71 time frame when i was in the 3rd Ranger Co.
Have a nice day.
jim
Post a Comment
<< Home