I, ___________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) 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; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  So help me God.

The Sailor's Creed

I am a United States Sailor.

I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.

I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.

I proudly serve my country’s Navy combat team with honor, courage, and commitment.

I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

The Core Values of the United States Navy

Since ancient times, seafarers have known how to navigate by the stars.  Although modern navigational instruments have supposedly rendered celestial navigation obsolete, when all of the equipment fails, a trained Sailor can still determine the position of his vessel by reading the stars.  He can steer toward his destination using only the information that can be gleaned from the night sky.

To accomplish this minor miracle, the Sailor must first locate three known stars in the sky.  Although nearly any known stars will do, a wise Sailor will select three stars that burn brightly: three stars that stand out like beacons against the dark curtain of heaven.  By their light, he can measure his own position and set course for his destination.

United States Sailors have three such stars to steer by.  We call them our Core Values.  They are the three principles by which we can measure our position and set our headings.  Honor, Courage, and Commitment.  They are based in the Oath of Enlistment, and are fundamental to the beliefs of the U.S. Navy.  As long as we steer by them, we can never be lost.

Honor:  "I will bear true faith and allegiance..."  Accordingly, we will: Conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships with peers, superiors and subordinates; Be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other, and with those outside the Navy; Be willing to make honest recommendations and accept those of junior personnel; Encourage new ideas and deliver the bad news, even when it is unpopular; Abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word; Fulfill or exceed our legal and ethical responsibilities in our public and personal lives twenty-four hours a day.  Illegal or improper behavior or even the appearance of such behavior will not be tolerated.  We are accountable for our professional and personal behavior.  We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans.

Courage:  "I will support and defend..." Accordingly, we will have: courage to meet the demands of our profession and the mission when it is hazardous, demanding, or otherwise difficult; Make decisions in the best interest of the navy and the nation, without regard to personal consequences; Meet these challenges while adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct and decency; Be loyal to our nation, ensuring the resources entrusted to us are used in an honest, careful, and efficient way.  Courage is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.

Commitment: "I will obey the orders..." Accordingly, we will: Demand respect up and down the chain of command; Care for the safety, professional, personal and spiritual well-being of our people; Show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion, or gender; Treat each individual with human dignity; Be committed to positive change and constant improvement; Exhibit the highest degree of moral character, technical excellence, quality and competence in what we have been trained to do.  The day-to-day duty of every Navy man and woman is to work together as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people and ourselves.

The Military Code of Conduct

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life.  I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

I will never surrender of my own free will.  If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available.  I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape.  I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners.  I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades.  If I am senior, I will take command.  If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth.  I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability.  I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free.  I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.