Return to story

What's the difference between these oaths of allegiance?

February 24, 2009 12:35 am

The front page of The Free Lance-Star on Feb. 13 brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart knowing that Virginia was selected as the permanent home for the National Scout Jamboree ["Scout jamboree leaving A.P. Hill"].

However, it was touched upon once again why the national jamboree had to be moved from the U.S. Army's Fort A.P. Hill in Caroline County.

The article stated that "Fort A.P. Hill has hosted the event since 1981, but some have questioned whether the Department of Defense could continue to financially support the event because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God."

The Scout oath (or promise) is "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."

Does anybody know the wording of the current U.S. military oath of enlistment?

"I, (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 First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution was a guarantee of religious freedom.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." This is freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.

Personally, I see no conflict. Both the Boy Scouts of America and the U.S. military swear an oath of allegiance invoking the Almighty: So help me God.

Frank A. Alger, Jr.

Colonial Beach