2 silver dollars for commissioning??

[Fongabonga]

Hey all,

After the quick rehearsal my OSO and I went through for my commissioning, the Captain handed me 2 silver dollars. My friend (former Marine, now Airman) was present and he'll be my first salute, thats one silver dollar... now he handed me two... Is the other one for the Gunny whose the OSO assistant? I think so, but is there some tradition I don't know about?!?

 

[semperfi1812]

First of all, what the hell is your OSO giving you silver dollars for? I had to buy my own. I feel jipped. Secondly, I have always just heard of the one silver dollar for the first salute. I just commissioned and was actually toying with the idea of having two "first salutes." It just didn't seem right. I decided to just go with "one," "first" salute. Anyways, I asked many people at my reserve unit and the answer I always got was "its your commissioning, you can do pretty much what you want to do."
Take that for what its worth. Good luck, and congrats. I look forward to seeing you at TBS.

 

[snizo]

What I've seen has always been two - one for the official 'first salute' that you get after the oath but while still standing in the ceremony. The other was always given to whomever gave you a real first salute outside. Our Midshipmen used to stand outside right after the ceremony to try and get the Ensigns as they came out (and get the dollar).

Thanks for the post -- had forgotten about those. Gonna need 'em soon. (yea had to supply my own).

 

[Pcola04/30]

When I got commissioned, and everyone I know that was commissioned, only ONE coin was used. What is the point of a first salute if you can have multiple "first salutes"....dosent pass the common sense test.....but that is just my .02.

P.S. Make sure it is a real silver dollar...they are not in production anymore so it might take some searching (coin collectors, e-bay, etc...)

 

[Pcola04/30]

Seems that for OCS guys maybe a twofer is the norm.....but for all of you ROTC grads, only one coin is used...their is no class DI and chief for us....anyone from the academy have input on how things work for you guys.

 

[Thisguy]

Navy OCS is two because like Patmack18 said, you get your salutes at the same time from the class chief and DI. This is in the USMC forum though, so I'm not sure why you would need two silver dollars.

As far as the academy goes, they don't have a formal ceremony like Navy OCS does. Though what happens with the marines is that they have to change from their choker whites into their marine dress uniform and given that there is only one exit to the dressing room, the Senior NCOs line up at the exit and start saluting as the new Lts come out.

 

[VAmookie]

Real Silver Dollar?

Somone said something about real silver dollar. Cant i just go to the bank and ask for a silver dollar, most banks have them as well as 1/2 dollars and $2 bills. Is a typical silver dollar not a real silver dollar? Does it matter. My OSO has like 30 guys a year commission. If he gave each new officer 2 coins that could get kind of expensive so consider yourself lucky for the freebie

 

[Pcola04/30]

When I was looking for my silver dollar I tried the bank ......they told me that since they are not being produced....ie in active circulation.....that banks do not carry them anymore.

 

[snizo]

My parents used to give me silver dollars [long ago] -- but I'm not sure if they are real silver. It is the right design (the huge ones) and they are pretty old. Were all of them made from silver? Or just ones made before a certain date?

PCola04/30 -Not true of all ROTC units. Our unit has always done two. See above post.

 

[nittany03]

Just to chime in, you can also get your silver dollars from a jeweler. If there isn't a coin shop nearby, that may be your best bet.

 

[Pcola04/30]

PCola04/30 -Not true of all ROTC units. Our unit has always done two. See above post.

Roger need more to post