Commissioning Ceremony

[USAF.Boom]

I wanted to start an area where those who are commissioning can talk about their plans for their ceremony. Those who already have had one, please let us know what yours entailed. Is there a certain flow or script? Can a retired O-6 perform the ceremony? What are the elements of the ceremony?

Thanks

 

[Ricky Bobby]

When I commissioned, we had an Admiral come in and give a speech, then administer the oath to all of us at the same time. After the oath, we went to our families/friends to pin on our new rank. After that, we lined up and were announced individually for our first salute where they announced our major and service selection, then a short reception and then the After Party.

There were some of us who wanted somebody specific to commission us, so we set it up with our ROTC unit staff to have a small ceremony beforehand for a more personalized event which I really liked. I had my dad (retired 0-6) give me the oath.

 

[smloan2]

I got this information from another forum, but I think it might help give you some ideas......




1. the person you select as an officer to oversee the event (or provided as you may not know any officers to comission you) reads you the oath. now, some locations, like the university of colorado, do a "real" comissioning with the XO and then you can have whomever you want to read you the oath for ceremonial pourposes afterwards in the auditorium.

2. Your bars are put on by family, or bars on sleeves revealed, depending on the time of year.

3. the first salute, which is normally purchased by the newly comissioned by a dollar-coin.

beyond that it's up to you. I've seen tributes to the spouse (normally for mustang ceremonies to show appriciation (sp?) to their wives for all they have endured thus far in support in their navy careers), typically a chaplin provides a prayer, and possibly a keynote speaker, followed by a "wet-down" at a local bar.

but, all that really matters is that you swear in and sign the paperwork......

 

[navy09]

If possible, find someone who's a good speaker and really "into it" to run the ceremony- it really makes a difference.

 

[USAF.Boom]

Thanks. Is there any script to follow? I am an enlisted flyer right now and will be leaving the AF to return to my navy roots (former corpsman). Are we suppose to be in our full dress uniform? With medals, etc? When the frist salute happens, I have one of my close friends doing it, do I first give him the silver dollar and then he salutes me (signifying me paying for my first and then earning my others) or do I do the salute first and then give it to him.

 

[navy09]

I'd contact your local ROTC unit if you want a specific script to go off of. There's no specific uniform you have to wear- generally full dress white in summer, full dress blue in winter. One of the advantages of doing your own thing is you can do it however you want. Make it your own- pick a cool location, get someone cool to preside over it. Congratulations on your commission.

 

[USAF.Boom]

Thanks, I appreciate that. St. Louis is a bit limited in "cool" places, but I am sure I can find somewhere. I was actually thinking of doing it on Navy Pier in CHI, but it my be a bit cold depending on how long the commdocs take.

 

[RM3(SW)]

Hello this is sure a topic that I would like to go deep with, I was selected in the July supply DCO board for FY10, being prior active duty, also currently drilling reserve, I have been wondering what is to much and what is not enough.... I have heard many stories but I am looking for a template per say.... what is the general format? I have served 5 yrs on the enlisted side, LS2 in the Navy, I started off as a lonely deck seaman so I would like to make this a memory for me and my family.... suggestions, thoughts ? I am open

 

[xxxCharliexxx]

Interesting topic...

I haven't really thought of this until reading this thread. What do we do if we are DCO? How is that handled? Will it just me me and a recruiter or can I request a small ceremony like you are mentioning? I would love a small bit of formal 'formalities', salutes, oaths, and pinning with my family but not sure if any of that is really necessary or possible if it's just going to be lonely me lol. Do they get a few DCO's together or perhaps get other commissioning officers together and let the DCO's participate in that ceremony?

Ok, enough questions for never having thought of this prior to 4 mintues ago....lol.

 

[USAF.Boom]

Yes, I believe that you can have anything you want. I am a DCO select and I am having a ceremony. But I am also currently enlisted, so it is a bit of a bigger deal since we have worked our way through. Not to take away from those that come in as an "O".

I am having my former CO doing the ceremony at a historical place here in STL and then we are going to have dinner and then off to the bars at the casino, etc. My first salute is coming from a close friend who is enlisted in the AF. My family, friends and co-workers will be on hand for it. I expect about 20 or so. For me, it is more important than graduation from college or even H.S. So I am going to make sure it is something that I don't forget, or my children, so maybe they will see that serving is a great thing.

 

[navy09]

LS2,

General format goes: introduction/ speech about what a big deal this is, Oath of Office is given, then your pinning (usually by family or mentor), followed by your first salute. I commissioned with about 20 people and it took close to two hours. If you're commissioning by yourself you can make it your own and do whatever you want. You could even have one of your shipmates give you your first salute- just don't forget to 'pay' them with a silver dollar, per tradition.

 

[RM3(SW)]

Usaf.boom,

i am in stl as well! Good luck with planning, what community are you in?

 

[RM3(SW)]

Midn09,

i was thinking about asking the nosc to take part in the event, i at first was thinking about some place else but was approached by a chief who has played a major role in my career path, he informed me the nosc hardly ever gets the opportunity to do these, a dco or ldo or cwo they would jump at, so now my only problem is to figure out a couple of things:

1. Does the speaker have to be the same person as the oath giver
2. Can you have a 1st and 2nd salute? I have to very important people who played major roles in my reserve career and they are both chiefs and i would like to give them both salutes
3. I guess dress blues would be the uniform of choice now going into winter?

Just a few questions i have...

 

[navy09]

1. Does the speaker have to be the same person as the oath giver
2. Can you have a 1st and 2nd salute? I have to very important people who played major roles in my reserve career and they are both chiefs and i would like to give them both salutes
3. I guess dress blues would be the uniform of choice now going into winter?

1. No- but the oath giver has to be an officer.
2. Absolutely, that's very common.
3. If you want to wear whites, wear whites. You'll probably never have as much control over a Navy function again, so enjoy it.

 

[USAF.Boom]

Usaf.boom,

i am in stl as well! Good luck with planning, what community are you in?

DCO 1635, what about you?