At the age of 79, David Jager is likely the oldest enlistment in Utah National Guard history.

Jager’s military record states that his career began in the Utah Guard on May 6, 1963, in Salt Lake City, at the age of 22, but he didn’t actually swear-in until Feb. 20, 2020, almost 57 years later.

That afternoon, Jager had visited the Utah National Guard headquarters in Draper, Utah, to fix a clerical error on his discharge paperwork. Where most soldiers join the military by raising their arm to the square and uttering the carefully worded Oath of Enlistment, somehow this formality was overlooked when Jager joined in 1963. Despite the fact that he had not sworn the oath, Jager was hurriedly shipped off to boot camp at Fort Ord, California. The Vietnam War was in full swing. That same month would mark an all-time high for Viet Cong attacks. Jager served in the 140th Field Artillery Regiment for six years before being honorably discharged at the rank of staff sergeant.

Fifty-seven years after joining the Utah National Guard, Jager straightened his back, raised his arm to the square and began to repeat the words of the oath: “I, David Jager, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States...”  As he spoke, tears gathered in his eyes and his voice began to shake.

The National Guard’s Oath of Enlistment has remained unchanged since August 10, 1956:

“I _______ , do solemnly swear, (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Utah against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to them; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of Utah and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God”.

Jager was also given the opportunity to officially sign his name on the line at the bottom of the Oath of Enlistment.

“It’s an honor,” Jager said afterwards, sheepishly wiping his eyes. “I love the uniform. I love the flag.”

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In general, all media on the site is produced by U.S. DoD or Federal Agencies, and is in the public domain, i.e., not protected by U.S. copyright; however, other restrictions might apply, such as, but not limited to, the right to enforce trademarks, and the right of privacy/right of publicity, any of which might restrict use of some of the media. Media may not be used to imply endorsement of any product or service by the DoD. Proper credit of the producing journalist(s) is requested.

At the age of 79, David Jager is likely the oldest enlistment in Utah National Guard history.

Jager’s military record states that his career began in the Utah Guard on May 6, 1963, in Salt Lake City, at the age of 22, but he didn’t actually swear-in until Feb. 20, 2020, almost 57 years later.

That afternoon, Jager had visited the Utah National Guard headquarters in Draper, Utah, to fix a clerical error on his discharge paperwork. Where most soldiers join the military by raising their arm to the square and uttering the carefully worded Oath of Enlistment, somehow this formality was overlooked when Jager joined in 1963. Despite the fact that he had not sworn the oath, Jager was hurriedly shipped off to boot camp at Fort Ord, California. The Vietnam War was in full swing. That same month would mark an all-time high for Viet Cong attacks. Jager served in the 140th Field Artillery Regiment for six years before being honorably discharged at the rank of staff sergeant.

Fifty-seven years after joining the Utah National Guard, Jager straightened his back, raised his arm to the square and began to repeat the words of the oath: “I, David Jager, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States...”  As he spoke, tears gathered in his eyes and his voice began to shake.

The National Guard’s Oath of Enlistment has remained unchanged since August 10, 1956:

“I _______ , do solemnly swear, (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of Utah against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to them; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of Utah and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God”.

Jager was also given the opportunity to officially sign his name on the line at the bottom of the Oath of Enlistment.

“It’s an honor,” Jager said afterwards, sheepishly wiping his eyes. “I love the uniform. I love the flag.”

-30-

In general, all media on the site is produced by U.S. DoD or Federal Agencies, and is in the public domain, i.e., not protected by U.S. copyright; however, other restrictions might apply, such as, but not limited to, the right to enforce trademarks, and the right of privacy/right of publicity, any of which might restrict use of some of the media. Media may not be used to imply endorsement of any product or service by the DoD. Proper credit of the producing journalist(s) is requested.