The U.S. Constitution for Government Employees Training Course

All federal agencies are now required to provide education and training materials on the U.S. Constitution to new employees upon hire and to existing employees every September 17th. Every federal government employee swears to support and defend the Constitution of the United States in their oath of office. Understanding what the Constitution is and how it defines government service is vital for the success of every federal civil servant.

The journey to our current Constitution began with America’s first governing document, the Articles of Confederation. This document deliberately designed a weak federal government, with the states acting essentially as individual countries. However, it soon became evident that a stronger federal government was needed to effectively conduct foreign policy and enforce laws. In 1787, a constitutional convention was formed with delegates from all 13 states. Their initial goal was to strengthen the Articles of Confederation, but they ended up creating an entirely new document.

The process was not without its challenges. Negotiations were often contentious, but the final document was signed by the delegates, also known as the framers, and ratified by nine states in 1788. Shortly thereafter, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified. The new Constitution and the Bill of Rights defined the three branches of the federal government, enacted fundamental laws, and established basic rights for citizens.

Every government employee swears an oath to the Constitution. Understanding this foundational document is not only essential to upholding this oath but is now mandated by law. Most importantly, a clear understanding of the Constitution will allow government workers to better serve citizens in their daily work, ensuring they uphold the principles and rights that are the cornerstone of American democracy.