U.S. Soldier's Creed
Encyclopedia
The U.S. Soldier's Creed is a standard that all United States Army
personnel are encouraged to live by. All U.S. Army enlisted personnel are taught the Soldier's Creed during basic training, and recite the creed in public ceremonies at the conclusion of training. Both The Soldier's Creed and the Noncommissioned officer's creed
is required knowledge at enlisted promotion boards to compete for the rank of Sergeant
and above, as well as Soldier of the Month boards. It is also common practice to recite the Soldier's Creed at the graduation ceremony from Army ROTC. Unlike the United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office or the Oath of enlistment
, the Soldier's Creed can be affirmed by Army officer and Soldier alike.
Eric K. Shinseki in May 2003. It was written in part by Matt Larsen
, who also founded the Army’s hand-to-hand combat program and was first presented to senior Army leaders on 7 June 2003.
The Soldiers Creed was approved in its current format by the next Army Chief of Staff Peter Schoomaker
on the 24 November 2003. The introduction of the Soldier's Creed kicked off a campaign known as Task Force Soldier. This is a leadership commitment to soldiers ensuring that they are prepared for combat and embody the Warrior Ethos that is contained in the Soldier's Creed. It seems to have been discussed in Congress in a Hearing on Army Issues held by Senator John W. Warner on or about November 19, 2003. It was first published in the magazine Infantry on 22 December 2003.
When reciting the Soldier's Creed, Soldiers stand at attention
.
Some soldiers shout hooah
at the conclusion of the Soldier's Creed, but it is not included in the creed itself,
The U.S. Army Warrior Ethos has been incorporated into the Soldier's Creed and is italicized in the text above.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
personnel are encouraged to live by. All U.S. Army enlisted personnel are taught the Soldier's Creed during basic training, and recite the creed in public ceremonies at the conclusion of training. Both The Soldier's Creed and the Noncommissioned officer's creed
Noncommissioned officer's creed
In the United States, the non-commissioned officer's creed, shortened to NCO creed, is a tool used to educate and remind enlisted leaders of their responsibilities and authority, and serves as a Code of conduct...
is required knowledge at enlisted promotion boards to compete for the rank of Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
and above, as well as Soldier of the Month boards. It is also common practice to recite the Soldier's Creed at the graduation ceremony from Army ROTC. Unlike the United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office or the Oath of enlistment
Oath of enlistment
thumb|A Marine re-enlists in the Marine Corps taking the Oath of EnlistmentUpon enlisting in the United States Armed Forces, each person enlisting in an armed force takes an oath of enlistment required by federal statute in...
, the Soldier's Creed can be affirmed by Army officer and Soldier alike.
Current version
The current version of the Soldier's Creed is a product of the Warrior Ethos program authorized by the then Army Chief of StaffChief of Staff of the United States Army
The Chief of Staff of the Army is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Army, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the Army; and is in...
Eric K. Shinseki in May 2003. It was written in part by Matt Larsen
Matt Larsen
Matt Larsen is a United States Army Ranger and Combatives instructor known as "The Father of Modern Combatives" for creating the United States Army's modern combatives doctrine and establishing the U.S. Army Combatives School...
, who also founded the Army’s hand-to-hand combat program and was first presented to senior Army leaders on 7 June 2003.
The Soldiers Creed was approved in its current format by the next Army Chief of Staff Peter Schoomaker
Peter Schoomaker
Peter Jan Schoomaker is a retired four-star general of the United States Army and served as the 35th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from August 1, 2003 to April 10, 2007. Schoomaker's appointment as Chief of Staff was unique in that he was recalled and came out from retirement to assume...
on the 24 November 2003. The introduction of the Soldier's Creed kicked off a campaign known as Task Force Soldier. This is a leadership commitment to soldiers ensuring that they are prepared for combat and embody the Warrior Ethos that is contained in the Soldier's Creed. It seems to have been discussed in Congress in a Hearing on Army Issues held by Senator John W. Warner on or about November 19, 2003. It was first published in the magazine Infantry on 22 December 2003.
When reciting the Soldier's Creed, Soldiers stand at attention
At attention
The position of At attention, or Standing at attention is a military posture which involves the following general postures:* Standing upright with an assertive and correct posture: famously "chin up, chest out, shoulders back, stomach in"....
.
Some soldiers shout hooah
Hooah
Hooah is a U.S. Army and a Canadian Armybattle cry used by soldiers and also in use by the U.S. Air Force airmen "referring to or meaning anything and everything except no."-Usage:Some popular usages of HUA include:...
at the conclusion of the Soldier's Creed, but it is not included in the creed itself,
The U.S. Army Warrior Ethos has been incorporated into the Soldier's Creed and is italicized in the text above.
Previous version
See also
- Airman's CreedAirman's CreedIn 2007, General T. Michael Moseley, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, introduced the Airman's Creed. In a letter introducing the creed, Moseley wrote that one of his "top priorities" was to "reinvigorate the warrior ethos in every Airman of our Total Force." Thus, the intent of the creed was...
(US Air Force) - Creed of the United States Coast GuardsmanCreed of the United States Coast GuardsmanThe Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman was written by Vice Admiral Harry G. Hamlet, who served as Commandant of the Coast Guard from 1932 to 1936...
(US Coast Guard) - Infantryman's Creed (US Army, Infantry BranchInfantry Branch (United States)The Infantry Branch is a branch of the United States Army First established in 1775.-History:Ten companies of riflemen were authorized by a resolution of the Continental Congress on 14 June 1775...
) - Quartermaster Creed (US Army, Quartermaster Corps)
- Ranger CreedRanger CreedThe Ranger Creed is the official creed of the United States Army Rangers. It is also adopted by Rangers in other armed forces around the world. It was initiated by then-LTC Leuer and his Command Sergeant Major Neal R. Gentry...
(US Army, RangersUnited States Army RangersUnited States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
) - Rifleman's CreedRifleman's CreedThe Rifleman's Creed is a part of basic United States Marine Corps doctrine. Major General William H. Rupertus wrote it during World War II, probably in late 1941 or early 1942. All Marines learn the creed at recruit training and they are expected to live by it...
(US Marine Corps) - Sailor's CreedSailor's creedThe Sailor's Creed is a creed of the United States Navy, originally developed for the promotion of personal excellence.-Original version:The first version of the Sailor's Creed came from an idea in 1986 by Admiral James B. Watkins, Chief of Naval Operations, to form a group that would create a Code...
(US Navy)