Air Force: 'So Help Me God' No Longer Required in Oath

Air Force: 'So Help Me God' No Longer Required in Oath

Each Air Academy cadet now has the option as to whether he or she includes the phrase “so help me God” when taking their oaths.

The Air Academy’s oath currently reads: “We will not lie, cheat or steal nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.” 

According to the Air Force Times, on October 25 the Air Force announced the phrase “so help me God” is “optional” for cadets.

This change is in response “to a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF),” which “advocates for the separation of church and state in the military.”

MRFF president Mikey Weinstein says the Air Force still has not gone far enough, saying that making the phrase “optional” still “creates a tremendous amount of unconstitutional turmoil… for anyone who is a religious objector.” He said the phrase must be completely eliminated.

Follow AWR Hawkins on Twitter @AWRHawkins.

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