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    So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath
    So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath
    So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath
    Ebook127 pages1 hour

    So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath

    By Brian Bohlman

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    About this ebook

    As service members continue to fight the War on Terror, many are reflecting on the military oath that they pledged to keep. Four words ultimately transform American citizens into Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.

    Bohlman, a veteran, considers the importance of the military oath, examines the power of faith in times of conflict, and helps prepare military members and their families for the challenges of their service commitment. It is an excellent resource to inspire the troops for service and preserve the core values of the U.S. Armed Forces.

    Special Features: Appendix section includes reference resources such as a list of all U.S. Military Oaths, the Code of Conduct, the Will to Survive, the Flag Folding Ceremony, and much more. Also contains end-of-chapter reflection questions that make it a great tool for individual and small group studies in an academic setting or a deployed environment.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrian Bohlman
    Release dateApr 2, 2011
    ISBN9780976681953
    So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath
    Author

    Brian Bohlman

    Chaplain, Lt Col Brian Bohlman is an author, adjunct seminary instructor, behavioral healthcare chaplain, and has served in the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps since 1992. Among his numerous military and civilian awards, he was named the Chaplain of the Year in the Air National Guard in 2013. In 2002, his family founded Operation Thank You.org as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which inspires America's bravest by providing a variety of thank you cards and outreach programs to current service members, wounded warriors, veterans, and military families. Proceeds from his books help support the ongoing work of Operation Thank You.org. He has served on the National Executive Committee of the Military Chaplains Association (MCA) of the USA and is currently the senior editor for the "Voices of Chaplaincy" book trilogy to be released by the MCA. He is a life member of the Military Officers Association of America, National Guard Association, American Legion, and Military Chaplains Association of the USA. He is also a member of the Association of Professional Chaplains. He and his family reside in South Carolina.

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      Book preview

      So Help Me God - Brian Bohlman

      So Help Me God

      A Reflection on the Military Oath

      Special Edition including Small Group

      Reflection Questions and updated Appendix

      Copyright by Brian Bohlman 2011

      Published by So Help Me God Project at Smashwords

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      To our men and women in uniform . . . past, present, and future: God bless and thank you for serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

      "God is our refuge and strength,

      an ever-present help in trouble.

      Therefore we will not fear..."

      —Psalm 46:1-2

      (U.S. Navy photo by Michael W. Pendergrass)

      I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United

      States of America and to the Republic for which

      it stands: one Nation under God, Indivisible,

      with Liberty and Justice for All.

      What others are saying about So Help Me God . . .

      Brian Bohlman relates an important message on the significance and meaning of the military oath. Administering the oath to our Sailors and Marines is one of the most profound duties I have had the privilege to perform as Secretary. Please express my thanks to Brian for his service to the Nation.

      —Gordon England, 73rd Secretary of the Navy

      This reflective devotional is a stirring reminder of the solemn commitment that each member of the Armed Forces makes to protect and defend our great Nation. Most importantly, it recognizes the sacrifices required of those who take the military oath. Thank you for enriching the lives and spiritual welfare of those who serve.

      —Anthony Principi, 4th Secretary of Veteran Affairs

      The books arrived on Veterans Day and were received ever so gratefully by our leadership, who will pass them on to soldiers in their section. They are a significant boost to a soldier’s pride in their country, and morale for the mission while they are on point for the nation.

      —Ron Cooper, Army Chaplain serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom

      The Oath of Enlistment is a solemn contract; a covenant between a service member and our country. First, we promise to support and defend our Constitution and bear true faith and allegiance while obeying our superiors. That’s a high calling! As a Christian, who is also a Soldier, I’ve come to realize that to fulfill this promise, I need God’s help. To uphold the principles of this great nation, I must value them more than I value personal achievement or ambition. Therefore, I can only fulfill this covenant by fully embracing the final sentence of the oath, So help me God. As you read and study this book, you will receive strength from God to help keep your covenant with this great country.

      — Michael Weiss, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army

      An incredible, inspirational piece of literature! If you know anyone serving our country in the armed forces, you need to give them a copy of this powerful little book. If you’ve ever served our country, buy yourself a copy and rediscover what commitment is all about, and where our strength comes from. This is one powerful, pocket-sized package.

      —David Garrison, U.S. Air Force F-16 Pilot

      This handbook provides an inspiring reminder of our military and spiritual heritage. It is a great resource in the professional development of our enlisted force and an excellent tool for reflecting upon the military oath and core values. Every service member will benefit from reading this insightful book.

      — Greg Schmalfeldt, Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)

      "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

      —Psalm 27:1-3

      For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

      —Romans 10:13

      So Help Me God: A Reflection on the Military Oath

      Smashwords Edition, March 2011 Brian Bohlman. All rights reserved.

      Printed Edition (4th Printing, April 2009) available as Special Edition including Small Group Reflection Questions and Updated Appendix.

      NSN: 9925-01-547-9476

      10-digit ISBN: 0-9766819-0-0

      13-digit ISBN: 978-0-9766819-0-8

      Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 2002112580

      Printed in the United States of America

      SO HELP ME GOD (Book with Music CD) edition available:

      10-digit ISBN: 0-9766819-1-9

      13-digit ISBN: 978-0-9766819-1-5

      Other Digital books by Brian Bohlman:

      For God and Country: Considering the Call to Military Chaplaincy

      Published by:

      So Help Me God Project

      Post Office Box 280662

      Columbia, SC 29228-0662

      Website: http://www.SoHelpMeGod.org

      Special Note: 1st and 2nd printings previously published by Insight Publishing Group under

      10-digit ISBN: 1-930027-72-9

      Copyright 2003 Brian Bohlman. All rights reserved.

      This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the author, except as provided by United States copyright law.

      Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

      Front Cover: Released DoD photo taken by Staff Sgt. Scott Ash (U.S. Air Force) during a re-enlistment ceremony at the White House on

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