Oath to God dropped at Air Force Academy

Air Force Academy cadets will no longer be required to say the words “so help me God” when taking their annual honor oath.

Officials at the Colorado Springs, Colorado, campus announced its 4,000 current cadets would be allowed to opt out of the final phrase of their honor code, which they reaffirm each year during their four years of study and training.

“Here at the Academy, we work to build a culture of dignity and respect, and that respect includes the ability of our cadets, airmen and civilian airmen to freely practice and exercise their religious preference—or not,” said Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, the academy’s superintendent, in a statement on October 26.