Air Force: ‘So help me God’ in oath is optional

Air Force officials say they have changed their policy on enlistment oaths.

By Chris Smith September 18, 2014 2:58 pm

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Air Force officials say they have changed their policy on enlistment oaths and will now let airmen omit the words “so help me God” if they choose.

The decision comes after an airman at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada struck out the words on his Department of Defense reenlistment paperwork and ran up against a policy that prohibits omissions. His attorney says the airman was told by his commanders that he must swear to God or leave the Air Force.

The case went up to the Department of Defense General Counsel, which has now ruled that “so help me God” can be left out if an airman prefers.

Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said, “We take any instance in which Airmen report concerns regarding religious freedom seriously,” and “we are making the appropriate adjustments to ensure our Airmen’s rights are protected.”