One of the things that raises red flags in my mind (I probably should get that checked) is when a person of authority asserts a debatable power in a way that is dubious on its face, or, at least, is extremely vague. One of the several things about th...

The Constitution requires all federal and state legislative, executive and judicial officers to take an oath.

It doesn't prescribe the oath except for president. Everyone from the vice-president on down takes an oath prescribed through legislation -- and as you say, virtually identical all the way down.

I remember a M*A*S*H episode where Klinger (IIRC) was drunk and depressed over his long-distance marriage breaking up, and wanted to re-enlist. Col. Potter had him recite the presidential oath so it wouldn't actually be binding when he sobered up and regained his senses.