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All about DCO Commissioning Ceremony
- Thread starter iroessle
- Start date
Lifesaver
Congrats are in order then! Most COs will realize you are brand new and set you at ease from the get-go. Of course, there are some who stand on pomp and circumstance. That's why checking with admin can help. Most commands also assign a sponosr to help you ge tup to speed, but not sure if Reserve Intel outfits are set up that way. If no sponsor has been provided, you could call admin and ask for name of another JO to converse with on your level so you can get lay of the land prior to reporting.
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xxxCharliexxx
Guest
It's pretty awesome! I remember the first time I called NEX and the first time I called my unit...I was finally able to say "Good morning, this is ENS Charlie....". I didn't stop smiling through the entire phone call!!! I can't wait until you guys hurry up and get here! I check nightly to see if anyone has moved along. Can't wait!!!
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xxxCharliexxx
Guest
Thank you! I am set up with a sponsor already and he's been great but more adminstrative stuff than things like this. I'll email him and ask him what he thinks. Thanks for the tip HJ.
3912DCO
New Member
Hey Charlie,
I am giving them to the kids (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts) that present the colors at my ceremony as well as the person who MC's my ceremony, the LCDR(s) who swears me in, my friend who will be rendering my first salute (along with a silver dollar), my Dad (since I want to say something special about him during my remarks and will present it to him then) and the seminary student (a friend) who will be doing a benediction/invocation at my ceremony. Oh yeah, and I'm keeping one for me as a memento. I'm also thinking about sending one to the division head of my last command who was a huge help with my package as well as our Corpsman Chief from my Regiment who was a former officer recruiter who really helped to make my package a lot stronger.
I wish you hadn't asked that! It suddenly got really expensive.
Intel_warrior
New Member
Anybody looking for a GREAT MC for their ceremony I heard that 3912DCO does an excellent job!!!
I bet he would be good, but I have a Major General that will be giving me my oath and an MC that is awsome.
3912DCO
New Member
Anybody looking for a GREAT MC for their ceremony I heard that 3912DCO does an excellent job!!!
It was an honor and a pleasure, my friend. Nice to finally meet you in person. See you at drill! One of these days my ComDocs will come in and we will do it all over again.
Intel_Hopeful
New Member
I realize that this thread is several years old, but does anyone have updated links to the ceremony guidelines? I'm meeting with my recruiter to discuss my commissioning later this week, but I'd like to do my own research ahead of time if possible. Thanks!
As a non-prior DCO, I am personally all about KISS (Keep It Simple, Seabee). The only required elements to your commissioning are the repeating of the oath and the signing of the paperwork everything else is pure fluff. Now, that pure fluff can and does serve a purpose depending on your circumstances. I'll tell you about my ceremony because I thought it was AMAZING.
1. I am a non-prior but my husband is an AD officer. Once I was selected he took me to the NEX and bought me uniforms so that I could commission in uniforms. As a non-prior this is not always an option. I was lucky enough to be able to commission wearing Dress Whites (chokers for men, suit jacket for women at that time).
2. We held the ceremony on the base where he was stationed. As it happens, there was an amazing location for it outside (it was August) with a reflecting pool and just a beautiful setting that required zero additional decorations/fluff.
3. It was short and sweet. My husband acted as MC and welcomed everyone, gave a quick overview of what was happening and why (i.e., I was commissioning directly, no OCS needed etc etc etc) and then talked about me for a few minutes. After that he administered the oath, placed my cover on my head, and took the ribbon off my sleeves so that my rank would show. After I saluted him (he does still outrank me! lol) I turned to the 'crowd', they applauded, and I was able to say a few words of thanks to everyone who made it possible. Following my brief speech, my husband invited everyone forward to congratulate me. THat was fun because I was the lowest ranking person there which meant I did a LOT of saluting as everyone came forward. It was a hazard of doing an outdoor ceremony with 70+% of the guests being officers!
4. We gave everyone about an hour to go home and change (it was a Friday afternoon so most were done for the day by the time the ceremony started) and come back to my house for a bbq/party.
You will notice there is no first salute with a coin in there.Unfortunately, a friend and fellow AW member who had not commissioned at the time was going to be my first salute. He got tied up at work and couldn't make my ceremony. The next time I saw him was at the Navy Birthday Ball and I was able to do my first salute in mess dress (complete with tiara!) and give him the coin then. Yes, I did manage to go for about 6 weeks post commissioning without being saluted. Had he been at the ceremony itself, it would have happened right after my husband removed the ribbon and before the 'applause' portion.
It was the perfect ceremony for me--a bit of pomp and circumstance with the uniforms and the ceremonial cover and showing of rank but it was also very relaxed and casual. Guests were in summer whites or khakis if they showed up in uniform. It was short enough that we didn't even need chairs.
I am sending you a PM.
1. I am a non-prior but my husband is an AD officer. Once I was selected he took me to the NEX and bought me uniforms so that I could commission in uniforms. As a non-prior this is not always an option. I was lucky enough to be able to commission wearing Dress Whites (chokers for men, suit jacket for women at that time).
2. We held the ceremony on the base where he was stationed. As it happens, there was an amazing location for it outside (it was August) with a reflecting pool and just a beautiful setting that required zero additional decorations/fluff.
3. It was short and sweet. My husband acted as MC and welcomed everyone, gave a quick overview of what was happening and why (i.e., I was commissioning directly, no OCS needed etc etc etc) and then talked about me for a few minutes. After that he administered the oath, placed my cover on my head, and took the ribbon off my sleeves so that my rank would show. After I saluted him (he does still outrank me! lol) I turned to the 'crowd', they applauded, and I was able to say a few words of thanks to everyone who made it possible. Following my brief speech, my husband invited everyone forward to congratulate me. THat was fun because I was the lowest ranking person there which meant I did a LOT of saluting as everyone came forward. It was a hazard of doing an outdoor ceremony with 70+% of the guests being officers!
4. We gave everyone about an hour to go home and change (it was a Friday afternoon so most were done for the day by the time the ceremony started) and come back to my house for a bbq/party.
You will notice there is no first salute with a coin in there.Unfortunately, a friend and fellow AW member who had not commissioned at the time was going to be my first salute. He got tied up at work and couldn't make my ceremony. The next time I saw him was at the Navy Birthday Ball and I was able to do my first salute in mess dress (complete with tiara!) and give him the coin then. Yes, I did manage to go for about 6 weeks post commissioning without being saluted. Had he been at the ceremony itself, it would have happened right after my husband removed the ribbon and before the 'applause' portion.
It was the perfect ceremony for me--a bit of pomp and circumstance with the uniforms and the ceremonial cover and showing of rank but it was also very relaxed and casual. Guests were in summer whites or khakis if they showed up in uniform. It was short enough that we didn't even need chairs.
I am sending you a PM.
RaginCajun
Well-Known Member
That sounds awesome.
I went to my recruiters office, did the paperwork, did the oath, and went out to lunch with my recruiter (first time I met him was my commission day). Very casual.
I had planned to do a bigger thing when my grandfather was still alive, but he passed before my commission date and so I didn't have much motivation to have a ceremony.
I went to my recruiters office, did the paperwork, did the oath, and went out to lunch with my recruiter (first time I met him was my commission day). Very casual.
I had planned to do a bigger thing when my grandfather was still alive, but he passed before my commission date and so I didn't have much motivation to have a ceremony.
There seems to be mixed guidance on here re uniforms (or perhaps I'm misunderstanding, entirely possible!)
If we are non-prior, will we be able to commission in uniforms? Also, does the ceremony occur before or after DCO school, and how much flexibility do you have with timing? (For example, I'd love to plan it on a weekend so that my family from out of town can attend, not sure if this is possible though?)
Thanks!
If we are non-prior, will we be able to commission in uniforms? Also, does the ceremony occur before or after DCO school, and how much flexibility do you have with timing? (For example, I'd love to plan it on a weekend so that my family from out of town can attend, not sure if this is possible though?)
Thanks!
There is definitely mixed guidance because there is no hard and fast rule about uniforms.
To answer your questions:
1. If we are non-prior, will we be able to commission in uniforms? It depends. Do you have access to base with a uniform store? Do you have someone who can purchase the uniforms ahead of time for you? Some people are able to get their recruiters to take them shopping, some people are not.
2. Also, does the ceremony occur before or after DCO school? Before DCOIC (Direct Commission Indoc Course). DCOIC is your first "2 week" obligation and just 'needs' to be done within your first year. You will commission before you attend DCOIC because you cannot attend DCOIC until you have checked into your NOSC, gotten a GTCC (government travel credit card), gotten a seat for DCOIC, and getting said NOSC to approve orders and travel for DCOIC. Example, I commissioned in August (more on that later) and I attended DCOIC in late February.
3. how much flexibility do you have with timing? Limited, but it does exist. My commissioning documents came in to the recruiter while I was out of town on a business trip. I also wanted to schedule it for a time when family could be in town. I planned for a date about 2.5 week away when I would be back in town and my family could be there. I think there is a window of about 30 or 60 days after the COMDOCs come in during which they need to be signed (i.e., you take the oath and are commissioned) before they expire. Ask your recruiter for specifics.
I hope that the answers help!
To answer your questions:
1. If we are non-prior, will we be able to commission in uniforms? It depends. Do you have access to base with a uniform store? Do you have someone who can purchase the uniforms ahead of time for you? Some people are able to get their recruiters to take them shopping, some people are not.
2. Also, does the ceremony occur before or after DCO school? Before DCOIC (Direct Commission Indoc Course). DCOIC is your first "2 week" obligation and just 'needs' to be done within your first year. You will commission before you attend DCOIC because you cannot attend DCOIC until you have checked into your NOSC, gotten a GTCC (government travel credit card), gotten a seat for DCOIC, and getting said NOSC to approve orders and travel for DCOIC. Example, I commissioned in August (more on that later) and I attended DCOIC in late February.
3. how much flexibility do you have with timing? Limited, but it does exist. My commissioning documents came in to the recruiter while I was out of town on a business trip. I also wanted to schedule it for a time when family could be in town. I planned for a date about 2.5 week away when I would be back in town and my family could be there. I think there is a window of about 30 or 60 days after the COMDOCs come in during which they need to be signed (i.e., you take the oath and are commissioned) before they expire. Ask your recruiter for specifics.
I hope that the answers help!
But but but…how do DCOs know what a "gig line" is, or how to do a military tuck in their shirt, or how to assemble a bridge cover, or how to lace their shoes "outboard over inboard with a Flying Cross at the top", or how to get the Quartermaster varnish off their belt buckle, or how to shine brass and shoes and all that stuff?!? Seems like it took three DIs and many weeks to teach me all that stuff…
AQ-AT-NAVCIV
Citizen Sailor, Gentleman Farmer
I commissioned last week. It was a long process getting to board and a lot of waiting (12 months). So I spent a bit of time trying to think about what I wanted to do as far as ceremony.
One thing I found was there is no clear direction on wearing a uniform, so wearing one is a subject for debate. I assumed I would wear one, but when it got close, I chose not to.
I thought about a venue and was thinking seriously about doing it at the front gate by the display aircraft (same spot I was frocked to AT3 in 1994), but the weather was extremely cold and like I said before, the uniform debate.
I also want to have an old Navy buddy who is now a CMC locally give me my first salute.
What I did: My wife and daughter went with me to the recruiting office, I wore a suit and swore in, we then went to dinner. Recruiter seemed shocked that I wore a suit and not sweat pants or something.
What I plan on doing: I hope to get orders to a local command and have a small ceremony at the NAS Oceana front gate in my summer whites when the weather gets warm. I know its months away, so I plan on inviting my CMC buddy to lunch and doing the saluting part with just the two of us, that way I can make it the real first salute. And we can do it again later.
One thing I found was there is no clear direction on wearing a uniform, so wearing one is a subject for debate. I assumed I would wear one, but when it got close, I chose not to.
I thought about a venue and was thinking seriously about doing it at the front gate by the display aircraft (same spot I was frocked to AT3 in 1994), but the weather was extremely cold and like I said before, the uniform debate.
I also want to have an old Navy buddy who is now a CMC locally give me my first salute.
What I did: My wife and daughter went with me to the recruiting office, I wore a suit and swore in, we then went to dinner. Recruiter seemed shocked that I wore a suit and not sweat pants or something.
What I plan on doing: I hope to get orders to a local command and have a small ceremony at the NAS Oceana front gate in my summer whites when the weather gets warm. I know its months away, so I plan on inviting my CMC buddy to lunch and doing the saluting part with just the two of us, that way I can make it the real first salute. And we can do it again later.