Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have introduced the Constitutional Orientation Military Mandate Amplifying National Duty (COMMAND) Act. This bipartisan bill aims to ensure that newly commissioned U.S. military officers receive training on the Constitution before reporting to their first operational assignment.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz stated, “Our military officers swear an oath to support and defend our Constitution. It is basic common sense to ensure that they are grounded in the Constitution’s history and text. I am proud to introduce the COMMAND Act with Sen. Kaine, which will ensure that officers receive that education before taking on their tremendous responsibilities, including and especially leading America’s finest young men and women in defense of our freedoms.”

Sen. Kaine added, “Our servicemembers take an oath to support and defend our Constitution, rather than any individual or administration. This legislation would provide our next generation of military leadership with a fuller understanding of what their oath entails and the sacred obligation they incur when they raise their right hand and affirm their commitment to our founding principles.”

The COMMAND Act mandates that the U.S. Department of Defense ensures newly commissioned military officers receive training on several key aspects related to the Constitution before assuming leadership roles. These include:

- The centrality of the Constitution to the commitment officers make to serve in the Armed Forces;

- Emphasis on the loyalty of officers to the Constitution; and

- Instruction on certain aspects of the Constitution relevant to military service.