The Parachutist’s Creed

I volunteered as a parachutist, fully realizing the hazards of my chosen service; and by my thought and by my actions will always uphold the prestige, honor and rich esprit-de-corps of the only volunteer branch of the Army.

I realize that a parachutist is not merely a soldier who arrives by parachute to fight, but an elite shock-trooper, and that his country expects him to march farther, to fight harder, to be more self-reliant and to soldier better than any other soldier. Parachutists of all allied armies belong to this great brotherhood.

I shall never fair my fellow comrades by shirking any duty or training, but will always keep myself mentally and physically fit and shoulder my full share of the task, whatever it may be.

I shall always accord my superiors my fullest loyalty and I will always bear in mind the sacred trust I have in the lives of the men I will lead into battle.

I shall show other soldiers, by my military courtesy by my military courtesy to my superior officers and noncommissioned officers, by my neatness in dress, by my care for my weapons and equipment, that I am a well-trained soldier.

I shall endeavor by my soldierly appearance, military bearing and behavior, to reflect the high standards of training and morale of parachute troops.

I shall respect the abilities of my enemies; I will fight fairly and with all my might. Surrender is not my creed.

I shall display a higher degree of initiative than is required of other troops and will fight on to my objective and mission, though I be the one survivor.

I will prove my ability as a fighting man against the enemy of the field of battle, not by quarreling with my comrades in arms or by bragging about my deeds, thus needlessly arousing jealousy and resentment against parachute troops.

I shall always realize that battles are won by an Army fighting as a team, that I fight and blaze a path into battle for others to follow and carry the battle on.

I belong to the finest unit in the Army. By my appearance, actions and battlefield deeds alone, I speak for my fighting ability. I will strive to uphold the honor and prestige of my outfit, making my country proud of me and of the unit to which I belong.

Received from Lester E. Rogers 7/20/2007