Across South Carolina, many of our law enforcement officers once wore a different uniform. They served in the United States Armed Forces, answering the nation’s call to defend freedom around the world. When that mission ended, they raised their right hand once again, this time to protect and serve their local communities. These men and women took two oaths, both rooted in loyalty, courage, and sacrifice.

The values that define military service, including discipline, integrity, and selflessness, are the same principles that guide a career in law enforcement. For many veterans, public service never truly ends; it simply takes a new form. Their continued commitment to protecting others represents a bridge between national defense and neighborhood safety, bound by a shared devotion to duty.

Across the country, approximately 19 percent of law enforcement officers are military veterans. In South Carolina, that percentage is even higher within many agencies. These dual servants bring a lifetime of leadership, composure under pressure, and mission focus to every call they answer. Their experience strengthens departments, enhances teamwork, and builds trust with the communities they serve.

As The Armed Forces Officer once reflected, “The commission and the oath constitute an individual moral commitment and common ethical instruction… They are the foundation of the trust safely placed in the Armed Forces by the American people.” That same moral commitment lives on in our law enforcement officers who once defended our flag abroad and now safeguard our neighborhoods at home.

On Veterans Day, the South Carolina Fraternal Order of Police proudly honors all who have taken the oath twice, those who stood watch for their country and now stand guard for their communities. We thank them for their service, for their steadfast example, and for reminding us that the spirit of duty does not end when one uniform is folded away. It continues every day in the officers who protect the freedoms they once fought to defend.