Individuals who enlist in military service must swear to and take the oath of enlistment. This oath varies depending on the branch of military service and, in most cases, between countries. In the United States, the oath is taken in front of the US Constitution and the president of the United States, whereas in the United Kingdom, the oath is taken in front of the reigning monarch and the monarchy as a whole. Those who wish to avoid the mention of God or a religious figure in the oath of enlistment may be able to affirm loyalty instead.
The oath of enlistment, like other oaths, such as those taken military officers and government officials, is a declaration of loyalty and purpose. It establishes a clearly defined power structure and instills a sense of responsibility in those who take the oath. The oath of enlistment can be altered for different military branches in a given country, and it often varies from country to country, usually including specific information related to a particular country.
In the United States, for example, the pledge to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” is part of the enlistment oath. This oath also contains a pledge of allegiance to “the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me,” as well as the phrase “So help me God.” Officers take a separate oath that contains much of the same language as the oath of enlistment, but with additional provisions to ensure that they properly handle their responsibilities as officers.
The oath of enlistment in the United Kingdom, on the other hand, includes a declaration of allegiance to the monarchy in general, often with specific reference to the current monarch. In the Western hemisphere, the phrase “So help me God” is frequently used in oaths, and this religious connotation has led to alternative options such as affirmations. Someone can usually take an oath of enlistment but state that he or she “affirms” rather than “swears” that the oath is true, and not repeat any part of the oath that mentions religious concepts. This has been used people who hold atheist beliefs as well as religious people who follow tenets that prohibit swearing oaths in God’s name.