Civilians take the oath

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Maldonado | Polly Depra, left, and Lita Huff, right, Operation True Giving committee members, inspect a volunteer’s gift during an Operation True Giving food and gift drive at the Palmetto Chapel on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Dec. 9, 2016. This year’s Operation True Giving drive helped provide 97 Shaw and Sumter families with holiday gifts and meals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)  

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

12.12.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado 

20th Fighter Wing

Civilian workers who take this oath assume the position of appropriated fund civil servants and will serve alongside their brothers and sisters in arms.

The civilian oath states that working for the federal government requires a unique level of public service and dedication.

“As appropriated fund civil servants, we are required to take the oath before assuming duty, to include returns to the states from overseas locations,” said Christopher Orbe, 20th Force Support Squadron human resource specialist. “The oath is taken by civil servants transitioning from base to base, or assignment changes.”

The history of the oath for federal employees can be found in Article II of the Constitution, which includes the specific oath the President takes, to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Civil servants bring continuity to the mission at home and even serve abroad as part of the Department of Defense civilian expeditionary workforce. Civilian employees fill critical functions in support of combat operations, contingencies, emergency operations, humanitarian missions and stability operations of the DOD in several locations across the globe.

“Civilians are an integral part of the total force,” said April Burnette, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron real property accountable officer. “To me the civilian oath is a binding commitment exuding 'One Team, One Fight,' and one I have been proud to embrace.”

With the countless contributions civil servants provide to the total force, U.S. armed forces stateside and overseas can more effectively accomplish their mission.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2016
• Date Posted: 12.13.2016 08:29
• Story ID: 217482
• Location: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US