NCO Creed · Army
The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer, word for word as the U.S. Army publishes it.
No one is more professional than I. I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of noncommissioned officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind—accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, noncommissioned officers, leaders!
Source: U.S. Army, NCO Creed (Army Values), read November 10, 2026.
Soldier's Creed · Army
All 13 lines as the U.S. Army publishes them, with the Warrior Ethos marked.
I am an American Soldier.
I am a warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
The four marked lines are the Warrior Ethos.
Source: U.S. Army, Soldier's Creed and Warrior Ethos (Army Values), read November 10, 2026.
Army Values · Army
Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage, each with the Army's own definition.
- Loyalty
- Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers.
- Duty
- Fulfill your obligations.
- Respect
- Treat people as they should be treated.
- Selfless Service
- Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own.
- Honor
- Live up to Army values.
- Integrity
- Do what's right, legally and morally.
- Personal Courage
- Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral).
Source: U.S. Army, The Army Values, read November 10, 2026.
Airman's Creed · Air Force
Four stanzas, each beginning "I am an American Airman," as the U.S. Air Force publishes it.
I am an American Airman.I am a warrior.I have answered my nation's call.
I am an American Airman.My mission is to fly, fight, and win.I am faithful to a proud heritage,A tradition of honor,And a legacy of valor.
I am an American Airman,Guardian of freedom and justice,My nation's sword and shield,Its sentry and avenger.I defend my country with my life.
I am an American Airman:Wingman, leader, warrior.I will never leave an Airman behind,I will never falter,And I will not fail.
Source: U.S. Air Force, Airman's Creed (Hurlburt Field fact sheet); also printed at airforce.com/vision, read November 10, 2026.
Sailor's Creed · Navy
Five sentences, as the Naval History and Heritage Command publishes them, and the two changes made since 1993.
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.
Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, The Sailors Creed, read November 10, 2026.
Coast Guard Creed · Coast Guard
Written by Vice Admiral Harry G. Hamlet, in full as the Coast Guard Historian's Office publishes it.
I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman.
I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world.
I never, by word or deed, will bring reproach upon the fair name of my service, nor permit others to do so unchallenged.
I will cheerfully and willingly obey all lawful orders.
I will always be on time to relieve, and shall endeavor to do more, rather than less, than my share.
I will always be at my station, alert and attending to my duties.
I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems.
I shall live joyously, but always with due regard for the rights and privileges of others.
I shall endeavor to be a model citizen in the community in which I live.
I shall sell life dearly to an enemy of my country, but give it freely to rescue those in peril.
With God's help, I shall endeavor to be one of His noblest Works...
A UNITED STATES COAST GUARDSMAN.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office, Creed of the United States Coast Guardsman, read November 10, 2026.
Rifleman's Creed · Marine Corps
"This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine." The text as the Marine Corps History Division publishes it.
- This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
- My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
- My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will …
- My rifle and myself know that what counts in this war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit….
- My rifle is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sights and its barrel. I will ever guard it against the ravages of weather and damage as I will ever guard my legs, my arms, my eyes and my heart against damage. I will keep my rifle clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will ….
- Before God, I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life.
- So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but peace!!
Source: Marine Corps University, Marine Corps History Division, Marines' Rifle Creed, read November 10, 2026.
Where these texts come from
Every creed on this page is copied from a page its own service publishes: the U.S. Army's Army Values pages, a U.S. Air Force fact sheet, the Naval History and Heritage Command, the Coast Guard Historian's Office and the Marine Corps History Division. Capital letters, punctuation and line breaks follow the source. Nothing about a creed's history is stated here unless that source states it.