True true. Enlisted members, especially in the U.S. military anyway, rarely have any idea what they’re getting into when they take the oath during the induction ceremony at a MEPS (Military Entracnce & Processing Station) right after signing an eight-year enlistment contract – which occurs sometimes months before they ever show up for basic training.
And when and if the average private makes the grade by completing basic training and AIT (Advanced Individual Training), the oath which he swore “to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States of America” is at best a dim memory.
I know from experience, the main motivation for the people I graduated basic training and infantry school with was to get all the college benefits possible via the G.I. Bill, and get all the high-speed – and invariably useless training available – in order to show off the badges. But this was 1988 and I digress. Point is, that few recruits are actively thinking about how to “uphold and defend the constitution” b/c any memory of making such an oath is so far removed from reality.
I personally think it would have made a better impact on us as soldiers if we had been required to reaffirm that oath – in uniform – upon completion of our initial training. This simple gesture could’ve gone a long way in instilling a sense of duty, but for some reason – at least in the U.S. Army – this is not done. Unfortunate.