You know, every once in a while after someone tells me to "Have a Nice Day
", I start thinking "who are they to tell me how to live my life?" "How DARE they force their expectations on how they wish iti to be what I consider is a day good enough to be considered "nice"".
Then I take a deep breath and remember it's just a little innocous and polite ending to a conversation, or a way for someone who has provided me a simple service to show thier boss that they are following standard protocol to show "customer appreciation". I chuckle to myself a little as well over how worked up I got over something so trivial.
I get the impession from your concern that you don't beleive in God or some "higher power". And that's fine, you have every rigth to feel that way. In fact, you want to join an organization that ensures you have the right to feel that way. But I have to ask, why make a big deal out of it? You're missing the point of the Oath of Office. It's not that you are asking for God's assistance in making you a good officer, it is that you are confirming your committment to support the US Constituition and the freedoms it garuantees our citizens, to support the American people, and to support those you will follow and those you will lead. Maybe with your very life, or the lives of those you are signing up to lead. You will SERVE, regardless of the cost.
My first advice to you: don't make a big deal out of it. That part of the Oath is simply words we traditional say. Concentrate instead on the meaning of the words that come before your request for God's help. Mumble that last part if it makes you feel better, affirming to yourself that people can't force you to follow some religion.
My second piece of advice for you: you're joining the military. It's a dangerous profession, with some of the highest levels of responsibility any person can ever face. There may come a day (and I honestly hope this never has to happen to you, but it might) when either you are in personal danger of physical harm, perhaps even life threatening, or there are people in the cross hairs that are personally looking at you to get them out of harm's way. And you will say this, either to yourself or out loud, "God help me."
Trust me, there are no athiests in fox holes.
Have a Nice Day!