Iowa National Guard Activities

Confusion Over Federal Oath

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     There has been some difficulty in the Iowa National Guard in regard to the National Defense Oath. When troops were called into service during the Mexican Border trouble in 1916 they were required to take a Federal oath. This oath was taken by all who went to the Border, but on their return the War Department ruled that this oath was not an authorized oath and that another must be sworn to before they would be recognized as a part of the Federal organization. This was accomplished by the officers with a good deal of trouble as it was not thoroughly understood by the men, many of who refused to subscribe to it.

     When the call came for the First Infantry to report at home stations in March. it was found when they assembled that many of these men had not taken the third Federal oath. Some of these took the oath upon reporting, but an equal number refused and were ordered to their homes when their organizations were mustered into Federal service, and retained on the rolls of the Organized Militia, but have since been discharged. Many of these of draft age, registered and were taken into the National Army through the Selective Service system.