A bipartisan initiative aims to see that military officers are well-versed in the United States Constitution.
Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have joined forces to introduce a new bill requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to train newly commissioned military officers on the Constitution before they assume their posts.
Dubbed the Constitutional Orientation Military Mandate Amplifying National Duty (COMMAND) Act, the bill signals a proactive step towards ensuring that the country’s armed forces remain steadfast in their allegiance to the principles of the Constitution.
According to Cruz, the COMMAND Act was drafted by the senators to address an often overlooked aspect of military service: ensuring that new officers are thoroughly grounded in the principles and values upheld in the U.S. Constitution.
“Our military officers swear an oath to support and defend our Constitution. It is basic common sense to ensure that they are grounded in the Constitution’s history and text,” Cruz reasoned.
“I am proud to introduce the COMMAND Act with Sen. Kaine, which will ensure that officers receive that education before taking on their tremendous responsibilities, including and especially leading America’s finest young men and women in defense of our freedoms.”
Kaine echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of making the Constitution a central point in officers’ military duty.
“Our servicemembers take an oath to support and defend our Constitution, rather than any individual or administration,” Kaine said in a statement.
“This legislation would provide our next generation of military leadership with a fuller understanding of what their oath entails and the sacred obligation they incur when they raise their right hand and affirm their commitment to our founding principles.”
The COMMAND Act also highlights the importance of instructing officers on the aspects of the Constitution related to military service, which includes civil-military relations, the separation of powers, and restrictions on the domestic use of military force.
The new bill, introduced on Friday, would require that the DOD implement the required training on the Constitution within 180 days of its enactment.
