We celebrate the upcoming 250th birthday of the U.S. Army—an impressive milestone marking nearly a quarter of a millennium of service.
When the Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775, it was not a professional military. It was a ragtag group of farmers and artisans united by the daring idea that a free people could govern themselves. America was a debate, and the Army became its steadfast protector.
The transformation of that original ragtag militia started at Valley Forge. A foreign officer, Baron von Steuben, introduced the drill and discipline that turned patriotic citizens into a tough army. That process—turning a citizen’s will into a soldier’s skill—is a continuous, living tradition.
However, the most pivotal moment in Army history happened after the victory at Yorktown, during the Newburgh Conspiracy. When some officers contemplated a military coup, General George Washington firmly rejected the idea. By deferring to the civilian government, he established the fundamental principle that upholds our republic: the military serves the nation, not rules it.
This principle was tested repeatedly, from the tragic Civil War that preserved the Union to the creation of the All-Volunteer Force after the Cold War, ensuring that every person in our ranks serves by choice.
This choice is embedded in our oath of service: “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”
The “foreign enemies” clause is the traditional role of a military. But adding “and domestic” changes the American soldier’s role. It shows that our loyalty is pledged not to a person, a political party, or a general, but only to a document, a set of ideas, and the rule of law. This oath is what makes the U.S. military unique. While nearly every other military force throughout history has sworn allegiance to a ruler, we are servants of the law.
My own twenty-six years in the Army, including service in Panama and during Desert Shield/Storm, reinforced that our strength comes directly from the will and law of the American people. The values we live by—Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage—are the foundation of our professionalism.
As we celebrate this 250th birthday, I ask our Santa Clarita neighbors not just to remember the Army’s legacy but to support the ideals it defends. To our community: cherish and uphold the constitutional principles of freedom, justice, and the rule of law. This is the ultimate call to action because, without your dedication to these principles, our oath holds no value.
COL Paul A. Raggio (Ret.) is the owner of Five Star Leader Development and an executive business coach who helps C-Suite executives, business owners, and their management teams improve in leadership, management principles, and best business practices. Contact him to achieve exceptional results at paul@fivestarleaderdevelopment.com or call and text at (252) 571-7368. Visit his website at https://fivestarleaderdevelopment.com.