The Soldiers Creed is the first creed you will learn in the Army. This creed defines what you are as a US Army Soldier. This will be drilled into your head throughout the duration of basic training, so I highly recommend you learn it before you go. In some cases, you will have to recite the soldiers creed before going to chow! Go ahead and try to memorize it, it’s a lot easier than you think!
The Soldiers Creed
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 Warrior Ethos
Four lines from the Soldiers Creed are actually part of another bit of Army Knowledge called “The Warrior Ethos”. Those lines are the four lines that start with “I will”:
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
So there you go! You’ve memorized both the “Warrior Ethos” and the “Soldiers Creed” in one sitting by learning the Soldiers Creed before basic training!
What else should you learn?
Make sure you memorize the Army Values, and check out the “Before Basic Training” section for more helpful knowledge before joining the Army.