I know it's somewhat traditional, but do I really need a ceremony to pin E-7?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 22:25:47 -0400

Think I'll just report to my new unit as a SFC. I'm on pcs leave and I was on promotion list for August.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 10:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 22:46:47 -0400

I pinned myself to Captain when I left the ARNG to go into the IRR. I took my promotion (board selected but not pinned ) I called my MP Officer branch at HRC. A week later, I received my orders online.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 10:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 22:50:59 -0400

No, no ceremony is required. It is like getting married, the piece of paper makes it legal, not the ceremony.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 9 at 2018 10:55 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 22:55:00 -0400

It's up to you. Most folks don't want the ceremony for almost any rank, but the command see's it as a way to motivate junior troops to get at it. I say stay on leave, report in as a SFC. What's the worst they're going to do......make you do a ceremony?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 11:00 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:00:20 -0400

No, but your family and subordinates appreciate the opportunity to congratulate you.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 9 at 2018 11:26 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:26:40 -0400

Not sure if there are Army regs about it or not, but I always told my sailors that it is THEIR promotion. Do what is best for them and their family.

Response by MAJ David Atkinson made Aug 9 at 2018 11:29 PM

MAJ David Atkinson — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:29:08 -0400

I pinned on my Major leafs during a PCS move to a new unit.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 11:33 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 23:33:47 -0400

I think in this situation, the need for a ceremony is moot. Unless you have a desire to have your family involved, you should just pin it yourself

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 7:09 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 07:09:02 -0400

In this case I think pinning yourself and showing up to the new unit as a SFC is acceptable. As it has been stated enough times the ceremony is more for your family and soldiers not necessarily you. I would pin it and show up promoted.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 7:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 07:23:29 -0400

Do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Aug 10 at 2018 8:42 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 08:42:00 -0400

No. It’s pretty common to get “promoted enroute.” Your new unit will only know you as SFC which will make things easier for you.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 10 at 2018 9:27 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 09:27:53 -0400

I always said, do what you think your collar can tolerate. Contact your gaining CSM and ask. Pinning ones self is a bold move. Do you have orders in hand? If not, don’t do it. Thank you for your service and congrats.

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Aug 10 at 2018 8:23 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 20:23:34 -0400

Brother, I would say go for it and do it for your family. That is a very significant transition since you are becoming a SNCO.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 8:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 20:27:14 -0400

Napoleon did it but SFC is a big deal. Ceremonies are for the unit, the Soldiers and your family. I'd ask your next 1SG/CSM rather than RP... but it is an entertaining question and answer.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 11:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 23:43:42 -0400

I’d wait, you’ll still get paid but you’ll allow your unit to recognize you and your Family. Remember, NCOs are supposed to be the stewards of our profession. What message are you sending by not living the tradition and thanking those who helped you get here? Senior NCOs are not expected to be told the standard, they are expected to live it and set the example. They used to teach that at ANCOC, I guess SLC has changed all that...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 12:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 00:23:05 -0400

My unit does ceremonies for E-4. I think accomplishments shouldn’t go unrecognized.

Response by 1SG Jim Farley made Aug 12 at 2018 1:01 PM

1SG Jim Farley — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 13:01:20 -0400

Hmmm, let's say one of your Junior Enlisted SMs decided to promote themselves, If your ok with that, knock yourself out. It's obviously a different Army than what I served in if a soon to be Senior NCO is asking a question like this.

Response by SPC Charlie Robinson made Aug 12 at 2018 1:57 PM

SPC Charlie Robinson — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 13:57:08 -0400

Not unless you have orders, period.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 11:37 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 11:37:17 -0400

As CSM mentioned, as long as you have orders on hand and the effective date has passed, then most definitely pin on and report SFC!

Response by MAJ David Atkinson made Jan 11 at 2021 12:29 AM

MAJ David Atkinson — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 00:29:12 -0500

If you report as an E6, you will be considered an E6 who will be promoted. If you report as an E7, you will start off as an E7. I pinned on my Major rank between duty assignments with gaining commander’s approval.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Jan 11 at 2021 3:18 PM

SSG Eric Blue — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:18:41 -0500

I'm gonna say no. Hell, I didn't get a ceremony when I got my chevrons or when I got my arc. It didn't make me any less an NCO.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Jan 11 at 2021 10:15 PM

LTC Ken Connolly — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 22:15:35 -0500

You are now a Sr NCO, tradition is a very important character trait for the military and your subordinate expect you to upheld the military customs. Otherwise, see if the CSM will pin you, if for some reason, you do not wish to receive the recognition you earned. The CG pinned my Cpt bars in his office, because I had orders to deploy in short order. Otherwise, every other promotion was accomplished with pomp and ceremony commensurate with the grade. It's a great feeling to be congratulated by the members of the unit.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2021 8:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 08:00:31 -0500

I came to realize as a young NCO that my promotion ceremony wasn't so much for me as it was for those who got me to where I was at. Senior leaders, Peers, Subordinates, and family / loved ones. It's an opportunity to thank them right then and there while you have the opportunity.