The Oath of Office

The Oath of Office is a solemn oath taken by officers of the United States Uniformed Services on commissioning.

I, [name], do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

Officers in the service of the United States are bound by this oath to disobey any order that violates the Constitution of the United States.

Note that this is not an oath to defend any specific territory or persons or property. This is an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States.

Note also that there is no duration defined in the Oath. Once taken, it is a lifetime obligation.