The Oath of Enlistment is primarily a solemn commitment to do what?

• A. Support and defend the US Constitution and obey orders
• B. Defend national interests abroad
• C. Serve in uniform for a fixed term
• D. Follow the chain of command without question

Answer: (A)

The key idea behind the Oath of Enlistment is a commitment to two things: loyalty to the Constitution and obedience to lawful authority. It sets your duty to support and defend the Constitution as the foundation of your service, and it ties your daily actions to obeying the orders of the President and the officers who lead you, in accordance with regulations and the military justice system. That combination—defending the Constitution and following lawful orders—best captures the oath’s purpose. The other statements don’t match it: defending national interests abroad is a broader mission, serving for a fixed term isn’t part of the pledge, and following the chain of command without question isn’t accurate because obedience applies to lawful orders within the law.