When you hear the word “warrior,” what image comes to mind? A knight with a broad sword, a paladin with a heavy shield?
While these images evoke the glory of combat, know that the image of a warrior is also the Airman who quietly does his duty day after day in service to his country and the wingmen to your right and left. The image of a warrior is the person you see staring back at you in the mirror every morning.
A warrior is someone who is willing to sacrifice their life in defense of their country, freedoms, family, friends and fellow citizens. This title includes everyone that shares the same way of thinking, character or guiding beliefs (also known as ethos) and who are willing to face adversity head on, do what is right and to protect others.
Police officers, firefighters and paramedics are a few examples of warriors in the civilian sector.
Are you a warrior? The answer is “yes!” Every member of the Armed Forces is a warrior. This is not based on what you have done, but on what you have sworn to do. You did this when you took the Oath of Enlistment.
It may have seemed like you were simply repeating words, but you made a conscious and moral decision to become a warrior; you swore to support and defend the Constitution of the US against all enemies, foreign (e.g. terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001) and domestic (e.g. Oklahoma City bombings), and commit your life in defense of America and its citizens.
You also swore to serve with the world’s greatest air, space and cyberspace force; the mission remains constant— you train day after day to fly, flight and win when the need arises. Regardless of your career field, remember that you are a warrior first!
Oath of Enlistment
I, (NAME), DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD.