Is there anything in the reg that requires the commander to pin you?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 19:45:41 -0500

For example you're day for promotion arrives you have the 4187 already completed and signed by the commander. Can you opt to pin you're self instead of waiting for formation that could not be happening on that day ? I've seen a Lt become a Captain without being pinned by the commander he pinned himself. Just curious.

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 2 at 2017 7:47 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 19:47:52 -0500

not really You can Even or used to have a family member Pin You...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 7:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 19:52:46 -0500

I honestly don't know the reg.

I've seen people do it though.

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Feb 2 at 2017 8:21 PM

1SG Al Brown — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 20:21:35 -0500

So you made the points, but the BN formation is next Friday. Can you; heck yes! Should you; oh no, no, no. Promoting yourself while not in the presence of the Officer who is responsible for your promotion. Not publicly publishing the orders. Violating a unit policy and ceremony that your CSM thinks is nearly biblical. You'll get to wear the stripes until you get spotted, then the pain will come in waves. I would advise against it.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 2 at 2017 8:23 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 20:23:18 -0500

I honestly don't know the Regs. I do know that I had the Project Classic Wizard Officer Reenlist me at Zeto Pt Adak AK for my 1st Reenlistment. I know that I had my Second at My Home in Brandywine WV by my OIC and my Actual Advancement to CTO1 was in Civilian Suit and Tie in London.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 2 at 2017 9:16 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:16:41 -0500

If you have orders with an effective date.. your getting paid... Let the public promotion happen in due time. Remember, its as much for your peers, and new subordinates as much as you.

Response by COL D Zimmer made Feb 2 at 2017 9:53 PM

COL D Zimmer — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 21:53:04 -0500

I believe just having published orders is sufficient authority to pin on your new rank on the appropriate day. However, although it may be 'authorized' it's usually not a good idea as Military Custom normally dictates that your unit (with your family if desired) promote you. Many of us have learned this from personal experience and had to take off the rank we put on in the morning so the boss could pin it on again in the afternoon. It's a good custom as it allows the unit to recognize and appreciate the change (your professional growth) and be part of it - and part of the traditional promo party that you'll finance!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 10:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 22:12:58 -0500

Can you? Yes. Should you? No way, Jose. If you are thinking about it, HALT!!! CEASE ALL ACTIONS!!! FIRING LINE IS NOT CLEAR!!!!

Basically, even if the formation and pinning can't happen right away, remember that you're getting paid for it. Let the formation and pinning happen when it happens. You do NOT want to be on the receiving end of 1SG and Commander if you do it yourself. Trust me.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Feb 3 at 2017 1:01 AM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 01:01:41 -0500

You earned it, and promotions should be public and should be celebrated for you, those who have helped you get there, and those who look up to you. Most of are are humble and modest and would prefer nothing, but as you move forward you will see the need to have ceremonies and events to honor achievements.

In the Army I grew up in, promotions were done by the person the the promoted person chose... It is your day. I had a few bosses/supervisors who got but hurt over that... That is me asking someone other than them. But, I always picked those I wanted to promote me, and in turn always allowed the same for troops in the organizations I had the pleasure to lead.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 3 at 2017 8:43 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 08:43:43 -0500

I've never seen anyone pin themselves, but I've also never been pinned by my CO before. I've chosen all the people who would pin me. I've had my wife and daughter, my OIC, even some SNCOs who had a big impact on my life. I think it all depends on the Command though. But I've chosen the locations of my promotions, the people I wanted to attend, who would pin me etc

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2017 8:49 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 08:49:17 -0500

No. I have had family members pin my Soldiers. I have seen other officers or NCOs from within or out of the military pin others. I pinned myself to 1LT. It all depends on unit and what the Commander and you decide to do. But keep your chain of command informed of your desires. I was overruled on where and how to do mine for pinning CPT but I got the CG to pin me which was my request.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Feb 3 at 2017 9:39 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 09:39:42 -0500

I don't suggest pinning yourself. Public promotions aren't about the individual getting promoted as much as you might think. Command loves public promotions. Not all soldiers do; for any number of reasons. I get it. Personally, I didn't care if was public or private.

I know one guy who was given his in the hallway as the commander walked past, so I doubt there is a reg mandating all promotions be public. But just don't slap the rank on yourself, even if you've crossed your D.O.R.. It's...unseemly. Best that even if it is done informally--such as passing each other in a hallway--just let your command pin you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2017 8:07 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 08:07:54 -0500

There is only one time you should Pin yourself, in my opinion and that is if you have orders in hand, and getting paid, AND between units. Arrive with the new rank, it's helpful for establishing your position from the start.

This does not include if you are only moving two buildings down.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Feb 6 at 2017 2:39 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 02:39:47 -0500

One way to combine the honor as shown Here, Colonel Moore. Director of Security Police from Hq, Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, MD is placing the rank insignia of Senior Master Sergeant on My left shoulder, My wife Joanne is doing the other shoulder. A friend of mine just being promoted to Major liked that and had His wife also participated in the same manner with Colonel Moore also placing the new rank insignia on. Myself and the Major were the only two being promoted on that occasion at the Hq 3245th Security Police Squadron at Hanscom AFB, MA A reception with food and drinks followed the promotion ceremony.

Response by SFC Scott Parkhurst made Feb 6 at 2017 3:28 AM

SFC Scott Parkhurst — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 03:28:14 -0500

I believe you can have anyone you want to pin you. I never heard or pinning yourself though? But if the "paperwork" is done, then why not?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2017 9:32 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 09:32:18 -0500

OK I get it rank gets privileges. On the other hand only people who get assigned parking are. Handicap, women who are expecting, and I believe soldiers who won the soldier board. But that is at the PX. I could be wrong, its been a long time since I looked at that kind of information.

Response by SPC Kari Grove Wright made Feb 8 at 2017 10:10 AM

SPC Kari Grove Wright — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 10:10:43 -0500

Our 1lt did this. He kept checking his pay, waited for it to go through. Next we know he's promoted. Our major did the same thing.

Response by 1LT James Teener made Feb 8 at 2017 10:16 AM

1LT James Teener — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 10:16:10 -0500

There is no regulation demanding a public ceremony. It's a tradition that is nice for public recognition, but it is not required. I received my silver bar at a private ceremony in my unit commander's office. My father received his on the battlefield in Korea, then got his captain's bars at a private pinning where the battalion commander had my mother in to pin the bars on in his (Bn CO's) office. The same thing happened with his major's leaves, although this time it was in the office of the commander of the 2nd Missile Command, a brigade sized unit.

Response by CPT Earl George made Feb 8 at 2017 11:12 AM

CPT Earl George — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 11:12:18 -0500

I promoted myself to CPT. I was on PCS to the Advanced Course at Ft Benning at the time.

Response by MAJ Bill Darling made Feb 8 at 2017 11:55 AM

MAJ Bill Darling — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 11:55:22 -0500

Personally, I think of it like a wedding. It's yours and you can do it however you want. Yet, like a wedding reception, the promotion ceremony is really for others who want to witness and celebrate your personal event. For my last promotion, I didn't think much of it and therefore didn't want a big deal, not even inviting my parents down. I pinned on the day of, had a friend read the orders, someone else pin it on, and another to take a picture. Coworkers were pissed that they missed it so I have a little regret about that, admittedly.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Feb 8 at 2017 12:09 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 12:09:48 -0500

Question are you going to be Acting SGT and yes I think it's a good idea to get promoted in Formation that would show that you were promoted and it shows that
You have been put in a Leadership role.SSG Mark Franzen USA vet

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2017 9:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 21:32:51 -0500

I've been promoted enroute to each duty station... I've had the papers in hand to pin myself. Had my Company CDR say he would have just put the rank on if he were me. As an NCO, it's important to let those soldiers junior to you see this tradition. Traditions are important.