Horsford Statement On Change To Air Force Reenlistment Oath Requirement

Press Release

Today, Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4) released the following statement regarding the Air Force's decision to reverse a policy that mandated the phrase "so help me God" be recited in an Airman's reenlistment oath:

"Our brave men and women who serve at Nellis Air Force Base and Creech Air Force Base have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving our nation. I am proud that Americans from all backgrounds come from across the country to train and serve at these installations. Airmen and Airwomen perform and fulfill their duty to protect the United States because they love their country: that is what truly matters when taking the oath. In conjunction with that vow, we celebrate the diverse beliefs and views that members of the Air Force hold. Our freedoms are only truly valuable when we respect them in practice."

The Airman who protested the previous policy serves at Creech Air Force Base, located in Nevada's Fourth Congressional District. Representative Horsford's staff sent a formal inquiry to the U.S. Air Force after initial reports of the Airman being denied reenlistment.

On Wednesday, September 17, 2014 the Air Force sent notice to Congressman Horsford that their policy regarding the mandated phrase was changing effectively immediately and that Airmen in the field would be given notice of the change as quickly as possible.

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