The Leaders Playbook: “I do solemnly swear or affirm…”

“I (state your name) having been appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies – foreign and domestic, and that I will bare 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, perform the duties upon the office of which I am about to enter… So help me God.

Yesterday I had the incredible honor and privilege of swearing a brand new 2nd Lieutenant into the United States Air Force. Both into the military, and into the service of our country.

As I stood there in my dress blues on Zoom, while He and His Classmates stood at attention at the other end and he took the Oath of Office, I was reminded of the day a few years back where I took the same Oath of Office. It was a special day for my family and I, and one I remember to this day.

When a Servicemember takes an Oath of Office they are making a legally and morally binding commitment. They are committing to time away from home, they are committing to long hours, and yes they are committing to give their lives for another and for our way of life. If they have a family they are also committing their families to the same selfless sacrifices required to serve. This is a big big deal for anyone.

In this dynamic and difficult chapter we are living through, yesterday was a warm spot that again confirmed the hope that I have for the future of the United States of America.

This young 2LT does not have to serve – he wants to serve and for that, I am incredibly grateful to you and your family.

Thanks, Lieutenant for the honor of Commissioning you, congrats, and now onward to leading great Americans. May you never forget the gift of service upon which you are now entering and may this chapter enriched your life as much as it has mine.

The Author is currently serving as an active-duty military officer.  Any comments or recommendations on this post or on this site are solely and expressly my personal views and do not represent the position of any branch of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.