I am a United States Sailor.At the beginning of every school day at Great Lakes, I and my fellow recruits will recite this creed, like schoolchildren recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I'm fairly certain that there will be some in my division who would protest this, but I think repetition is the best way to learn something, and once it's fairly solid in your mind, then that's the best time to analyze it.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those apponted over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
I am commited to excellence and the fair treatment of all.
It hasn't been around very long. I suppose there is a kind of tradition around it, but how can something be "traditional" when it's only 15 years old? It's a shallow sort of criticism, I'll admit. Those who have gone before me didn't recite this. I think that's it's deepest flaw, giving it tradition when it's new.
I wonder why it's the singular "Sailor's Creed," rather than the "Sailors' Creed." There are about 342,000 active duty personnel in the US Navy, and we're in it together, not as disparate personalities. There is no such thing as a "Navy of one," no matter what the Army may try to tell you. Every branch of the Armed Forces needs that solidarity for it to function. Perhaps, as we recite it, we should say, "We are United States Sailors... We protect and defend... We represent the fighting spirit... We proudly serve... We are committed..." I suppose the problem there in lies that I can't depend on anyone else to prove that I have Honor, Courage, or Commitment. Funny how the Armed Forces are like that, eh?
"I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States..." You know, I think you have to read the Constitution in order to really support it and I think that it's necessary to know its contents to defend it well. I don't know how well the average American knows the Constitution and its amendments, But I'll hazard a guess and say not well. But I think below its surface, its fancy language, its specifics, it say that each person has a right to choose how they want to live. I will support and defend each person's right to choose how to live their lives as they see fit.
"...and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me." I knew this point would get sticky with me. I am a skeptic, I ask questions, I want to hear what the authorities have said. I realize that there will be times when I will need to do what has been ordered without understanding its context or its meaning. But, I also trust that I will ask questions if an order seems very wrong or harmful. I may not be able to have the point of view that my superiors have, and I trust that in time I will trust their judgment when I cannot see what they see. That's actually just a little scary for me. I've grown accustomed to feeling like I can only trust my own judgment. But that is another blog entry, eh?
"I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy..." Now there's a phrase that's special -- fighting spirit. I don't think they mean a bellicose spirit, the spirit of bullies, but "fight" is such a vague word. Only two of the Navy's ships have sunk enemy ships, and one of them is the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship afloat. So obviously, we're not out there sinking every ship of every country that disagrees with us. Or at least not openly, if the Navy is doing that, but there's a giant cover up (there's one for conspiracy theorists) so... well, I can't see the point of there being a cover up. More than anything, the Navy is like a Sentinel of the Seas, always armed but rarely firing. It seems that way at least.
"...and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world." When I think of the people who have given their lives to defend freedom and democracy, I think of the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, or the heroes of the Revolutionary War, more than the kids out in the Sandbox. Don't get me wrong, I think that they're doing what they believe in, but also we, as a nation, are instituting democracy on them. They're not really defending democracy, but it's more like they're on the offensive for democracy, if that makes any sense.
"I proudly serve my county's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage, and Commitment. " Honor, Courage, and Commitment are the Navy core values. Commitment and Courage I have good concepts of, but Honor is rather squicky with me. If they mean "honor" as a personal obligation to acknowledge what's right and what's true, then I can get on with that. Some other definitions would leave me rather speechless.
"I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all." This one is the most forthright of all. I like that.
It's nto such a bad, thing, th "Sailor's Creed." I'll probably have different ideas about it when I graduate bootcamp than I do now, but that's okei. I'm never really the same person twice.
1 comment:
There are many aspects of this "blog" if you will that strike true to the heart. Much of what was said is the truest of thoughts, and down right to the point. A noble interpretation with the key point in there being "I will support and defend each person's right to choose how to live their lives as they see fit." What category does this defense fit in. Not to often does someone state something so "all inclusive" or so open ended. I defend each americans rights to the hilt...and with that being said lets delve into yet another interpretation if you will of the sailors creed.
While former president Bill Clinton held office an bill was passed called "dont ask dont tell". Which was a bold move for the president at the time. Our Sailors Creed contradicts this without fail. Taking the Sailors Creed quite literal one would find it rather insulting.
The Navy and all other branches have moved away from discrimination based on sex, religion, nationality, and ethnicity. Yet, when I read "Support and defend the constitution" in the Sailors Creed and then read in the constitution...which we wouldn't have had without the Declaration of Independence...and I am ahamed at where our country has gone. We were once the people who were different striving for change. Striving to be in a place that excepted everyone for who they were, and to be free from religious persecution and hatred. Well, not 50 years after our "big move" we started burning people at the stake, and enslaving persons who were different. We've moved from acceptance to disassociation. We've begun to isolate those with differences we cannot explain. And just recently through drugs and alcohol have we truely seen the error in our ways.
Now back to the point. The issue on homosexuality in the military is touchy to all, and I realize that. If we are "commited to excellence and the fair treatment of all" but want "homos" out of the military should we amend the Sailor's Creed? There are a lot of reasons circling the issue and why it has not been repealed. One person cannot offer up reasons to repeal the much appreciated "dont ask dont tell" policy, but when is someone going to sit down and think of a way to word it differently. Sit and offer up ways of protection and equality throughout the services.
For years there have been thousands of homosexuals, be them male or female, who have proudly closeted themselves to serve the country they too are proud of. To serve the people that hate them, and to serve in a service that doesn't want them. Since the beginning of the Navy there have been thousands who have died for this country or who have saved a fallen comrad while being in love with a member of the same sex.
Too often do people assume that a persons sexuality is a choice that they make much like a decision of which value meal to buy at a fast food place. Do people really think that a person chooses to be a way hated by so many. To live a life of secretive emotions and feelings that can sometimes never be expressed? A homosexual in the service no matter what sex isn't as big a deal as people think.
Sure people are uncomfortable with the idea of "living with them" or showering with "them"...but imagine how many are there already. Sure people look away from the obvious and the thought that "not knowing is better" is alright. The average homophobic person assumes that a gay person is automatically after them and that they wouldn't be safe. A homophobic service is just as bad as a racist service or a sexist service or a baptist only service. You, the reader, may not think so but think about it. Race is not a choice, and gender is not a choice, but religion is...and all relgious preferences are now recognized including wiccen. Yet a persons preference in religion is alright.
The only choice here is the choice of a person living a life not accepted to serve their country regardless of the consequences. Let us truely be commited to excellence and the fair treatment of ALL.
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