On September 10, 2025, 33 young people from American Samoa stood together at the Army Reserve Center in Pago Pago. They raised their right hands and took the Oath of Enlistment, officially joining the United States Army. But this was more than a ceremony. It was a moment of pride, tradition, and deep meaning.
The event was more than a military tradition. It was a community celebration filled with pride and culture. More than 100 family members and friends gathered to watch. Many wore colorful Samoan attire: ‘ie faitaga, lavalava, and puletasi. As recruits swore in, relatives sang, cried, and cheered.
“This is unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else in recruiting,” said LTC John Scott, who led the ceremony..
In Samoan culture, this kind of support reflects tautua, the deep tradition of service to family and community. Tautua means more than helping; it’s a way of life. It includes caring for elders, contributing to village events, and honoring family titles. As the Samoan proverb says, “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” (”the road to leadership is through service”).
“I’m nervous but also excited,” said Sally Viane.
Sally Viane is one of the new soldiers who just graduated from Samoana High School. She chose to become an Army Medic to help her family and others. After training, she’ll be stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a large Army base in Washington State.
American Samoa has one of the highest enlistment rates in the US, in comparison to mainland states. Out of a population of under 47,000, about 166 residents enlist in the Army or Army Reserve each year. This strong tradition of service goes back generations. Samoans have served in every major US conflict since World War I.
There are several reasons that explain this high enlistment rate. Samoan culture values courage, loyalty, and service: traits that describe military life. Finances also play a role. For many, the Army offers a stable career, education, and a path to US citizenship.
Additionally, military service is often a family tradition. Many young recruits follow in the footsteps of parents and grandparents who have served. In American Samoa, soldiers are held in high esteem. Their service brings pride not just to their families, but to entire villages.
The Portland-Pacific Recruiting Battalion, which organized the event, covers a huge area, from Oregon to Japan. But the ceremony in American Samoa stood out for its strong sense of community and tradition.
For the 33 recruits who swore in, the Army is more than a job. It is a chance to honor their heritage, serve their families, and carry forward a legacy of service that runs deep in Samoan culture.
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