American Literature

The United States Armed Forces which consists of men and women fighting and defending the country does so because of patriotism mainly related to the constitution of the land.  The constitution, which is a 200 year old document, has provisions in it that clearly characterize the kind of armed forces that this country should have.  The integrity of the US Armed forces is based on three portions of the constitution, these being the Preamble, Article iii, Section IV and the 2nd Amendment.

The preamble of the constitution states that, We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.(Preamble, US Constitution)  In this portion of the constitution one would easily notice that the US Armed forces play an important role in the establishment of what the preamble describes to be, a perfect union.  In this section of the constitution the more vital elements are the insurance of domestic Tranquility which translates into the security of all American citizens in their own homeland.  The armed forces have a role in this because they are expected to secure the country and its people from external threats that may come from other countries or other hostile forces that do not originate from the United States.  An example of this external threat is terrorism.  In another section of the preamble, the provision of common defense is stated to necessary for the achievement of other liberties.  This means that a singular militia has to be established which will take charge of defending the United States and all that is under and within it.  Here, in the particular section, the constitution provides that no other armed forces are to be recognized as being that of the United States except for the duly established United States Army which is the official and duly constituted body in charge of national defense.

Aside from just the preamble, Article III, Section IV of the United States Constitution provides a basis for loyalty among the US Military as well as among civil society.  This section states, Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. (Art.III,Sec.IV, US Constitution)  This portion of the constitution warns against any citizen who might wage war against the United States, cuddle, or play accessory to any external force that seeks to destroy the US and its liberties.  In effect, this provision includes as well the US Army because anybody who is a member of this army and is proven to have been in cahoots with the enemies of the state as well as have had gone through plans or conspiracies to destabilize the government will be considered a traitor to the United States.  Therefore, the US army, tasked with defending the country and all its liberties should always remain loyal not to politicians or to other international power, but to the US Constitution and to the people of America.

Finally, a third section of the constitution that has something to do with the US Army is the 2nd Amendment which states, A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. (2nd Amendment, US Constitution)  Here in this amendment it is stated that the US Army is vital in the maintenance of liberties and securities, and so there will be no official representing the United States who should do anything to disembody the armed forces from the State or dissolve this for whatever reason.  This amendment outlines the importance of the armed forces in the maintenance of freedom in the country.  Note however, that the phrase well-regulated comes before the word Militia.  This means that other than just the internal operations designed to keep the US Army in top shape, the government is tasked with regulating the Armed Forces to ensure that it has the right numbers required for what it is intended, that it performs according to their duly constituted functions, and it is able to efficiently deliver the services that it was designed for in the first place.

The life of a US Army office is based wholly on the law of the land and what it contains pertaining to the liberty and freedom of the people of America.  It is this particular aspect of the militia that uplifts US Military Officers to a status that is known for its prestige and honor.

The United States Constitution covers all aspects of being an American Citizen and most especially being a member or office of the US Army.  It is the main reason for loyalty and patriotism among the ranks and it defines what a US Army Officer should be like and what heshe is supposed to do.  While the provisions mentioned may be brief in nature, these provisions contain everything that a US Army officer should consider when hisher integrity is put on the line.  It is very important for a US Army Officer to maintain integrity and dignity when serving hisher country because such a service is not an invention by any politician or any world leader, rather, it is succinctly stated in a 200 year old document that is the basis for the existence of this Great American Nation.  Being a member of the US Army is something one should pride himselfherself with as the greatness of being in the armed forces is written in history and is contained in the document that built a nation out of the blood, sweat and dreams of our ancestors.  Serving in the army is serving the country by serving its people and by being faithful to the constitution.