Eielson's civilian workers reaffirm oath of office

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson's civilian Icemen reaffirmed their oath of office the afternoon of Jan. 17 at the Yukon Club.

"We're doing it as a reminder to ourselves that we chose a career path to serve the American public as federal civil servants charged with supporting and defending the constitution of the U.S.," said Charles Ford, 354th Mission Support Group deputy director.

Federal employees, upon entering their new jobs with the government, often take an oath of office similar to the one service members take the day they are inaugurated into military, but other times simply sign a statement.

"Many of us [civilian workers] are prior military and swore our oaths every enlistment; as civil servants, most of us simply signed statements affirming our oath when first hired to federal civil service," said Mr. Ford.

Timothy Donovan, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer, started his civil service in 1992, a year after retiring as an E-7 with 22 years of Air Force service.

"I always try and give it my best in everything I do supporting the Air Force and this wing," said Mr. Donovan. "By taking the oath of office again, it reminding me of my commitment for the job I signed up to do."
The oath, Mr. Ford said, is a commitment to families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and the American public.

"It's important for civil service professionals to understand their profession; our role as civil servants is constitutionally defined and the oath lays the foundation for all that we do," said Mr. Ford.