Accession Number:

AD1018643

Title:

Oath of Office: Can the Military Defend the Constitution against Domestic Enemies

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Air War College -Air University Maxwell AFB United States

Personal Author(s):

• Sadlo,Thomas G.

Report Date:

2010-02-17

Pagination or Media Count:

32.0

Abstract:

This paper examines the portion of the militarys oath whereby military members promise to support and defend the Constitution against domestic enemies. It clarifies what defending the Constitution against domestic enemies means and contends that in some situations U.S. military members cannot defend the literal United States Constitution against these enemies. It provides information military members can use to interpret and execute their oath of office by answering the above questions and illustrating situations when the military can and cannot defend the Constitution against domestic enemies.

Descriptors:

• united states government
• homeland security
• military personnel
• homeland defense
• federal law
• enemies
• national security

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE