The Sailor's Creed, in full
Navy · word for word from the source below
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.
At a glance
- Sentences
- 5
- Written
- 1993, by a Blue Ribbon Recruit Training Panel
- Changed
- 1994 ("bluejacket" to "Navy") and after 1997 ("my superiors" to "those appointed over me")
- Core values named
- Honor, Courage and Commitment
About the Sailor's Creed
The Naval History and Heritage Command gives the creed's history on the same page as its text. It was written in 1993 by a "Blue Ribbon Recruit Training Panel" at the direction of Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Frank Kelso, who "personally participated in the final edit" and directed that every recruit be given a copy and required to commit it to memory.
The wording has changed twice. In 1994, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jeremy Boorda approved replacing the word "bluejacket" with "Navy," so the creed describes all hands from E-1 through O-10. After 1997, "my superiors" became "those appointed over me."
The command adds that the creed "is memorized by all personnel in boot camp and has been incorporated in officer training as well." The fourth sentence names the Navy's three core values: Honor, Courage and Commitment.