Posted on Mar 13, 2018
MAJ Peter Way
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My daughter is being commissioned and I will administer her oath. I will be in uniform and want her to be as well. Recruiter says she can’t because she isn’t in the army yet. My understanding is she wears the dress uniform with no rank and then pins on after her oath. Can someone give me the ref or guidance for this? She is direct commission as a dentist. Thanks!
Posted in these groups: Imgres Direct CommissionAfp getty 511269685 Dress Uniform
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Responses: 9
CH (CPT) Command and Unit Chaplain
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I am a direct commissioned officer as a chaplain. I swore two oaths. The first was administratively as a reserve officer, which I think you are referencing. The second is upon arrival at BOLC as an active duty officer. At my CHBOLC we had to earn the right to wear any uniform. So we were in civvies for a whole week while in-processing before earning the right to wear PT uniforms for another whole week. Finally, after 2 weeks, we were allowed to don a duty uniform. Blues were well after the CIMT phase.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
6 y
Unique insight.
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MAJ Peter Way
MAJ Peter Way
6 y
Definitely and thank you.
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SGM Erik Marquez
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Edited 6 y ago
MAJ Peter Way
I have no direct knowledge for your specific question.. That said...before she takes the oath of office she is a civilian, and as much as it pains a few folks, the uniform to a non military civilian is just clothes.. And she, that civilian is free to wear what ever manner of dress she feels like putting on that day.

Second, in the ROTC world, every commissioning cadet I every saluted post pinning or watched otherwise perform the commissioning ceremony was in full military uniform as the oath was administered ...leading one down the path that seconds before that they were NOT military and wearing a uniform as a requirement of the US Military.

Lastly as mentioned already,,, take this off your shoulders, make an office call (or voice call if not close) to her future commander ..it really should be that person decision I feel... As a last resort, if the commander feels a uniform would be inappropriate... you could do an Administrative oath of office in a privet setting and a public one done in full uniform after.
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MAJ Peter Way
MAJ Peter Way
6 y
Good idea SGM. Her recruiter or OIC/NCOIC of the recruiting station should know where she will be assigned in the interim before BOLC. I’ll check in with them. Thank you!
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
6 y
MAJ Peter Way So close this one out for supper how did it go what did you and your daughter or commander decide
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MAJ Peter Way
MAJ Peter Way
6 y
Did a private swearing in at the recruiters office then had a public one an hour later with her in uniform.
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LCDR Vice President
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I say put her in a uniform, who is going to say anything, if we have too all of us at RP can petition the president for a pardon. I can see him supporting this because it is dumb for our military to spend time worrying about such an irrelevant issue. Pass on my congratulations on her commission and thank her for her service.
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MAJ Peter Way
MAJ Peter Way
6 y
Will do sir! And thank you.
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