Pinning on the stripes upon promotions. Do they still do this?

Cpl Vic Burk — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 18:51:25 -0500

I was talking to my son a couple days ago about my time and how when we got promoted everyone who was the rank you got promoted to and above got to pin on the stripes. Those of your new rank and higher lined up in two rows and you walked down between you as each punched your shoulder. When you go Corporal (and the blood stripe for the trousers) they also kicked or kneed you to pin on the blood stripe. Do they still do this? You better believe when I had my chance to pin them on I did also!

Response by Wayne Soares made Jan 18 at 2021 7:27 PM

Wayne Soares — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:27:56 -0500

Thanks for the question Vic

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 7:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:30:30 -0500

I don't know what Marines do - but no not in the Army or Air Force can you strike anyone when pinning their stripes. Also - it's all velcro now on utility uniforms so no one is really "pinning" anyone.

When I got promoted to SGT I was in Iraq. My brother is NG - he was in Iraq at the same time. He used his 4 day pass to come to my promotion and 'pin' my stripes. For SSG my NCOIC at the time had been my DS in basic. He pinned SSG stripes. For SFC, my dad pinned those and it was in some room in the company with not a lot of other people. Some S2 folks I worked with, 1SG, that was about it. For SSG it was in front of the company.

The punching the rank I believe falls under hazing at this point.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Jan 18 at 2021 7:31 PM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:31:29 -0500

While we have gone to Velcro some awards still have pinned versions and some promotions can be done in limited company as to not violate hazing policies these days. I have pined some NCO's and drove master parachutists badges into chests (Upon request/with no video or photos taken) no to long ago. I am hoping one day to pin my fathers novice wings on my son, now thats gonna be fun as the pin is almost 1" long :)
To get back to your description of what used to happen, I know in the ARMY its a big NO NO and can result in others losing their rank for doing it. To me its a private thing now that its banned,I have my share of scars on my should blades and chest and wouldn't change a thing.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Jan 18 at 2021 7:52 PM

GySgt Gary Cordeiro — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:52:35 -0500

Painful yet joyous occasion.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 18 at 2021 7:55 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:55:27 -0500

Cpl Vic Burk When the ‘hero’ in the movie Garden of Stone, (1988?), made SGT-5, he is depicted walking thru such a gauntlet. The 1SG punched him so hard he almost fell over. By the way - That was a Great movie w/o showing any combat re: Vietnam and the peacenik civilian culture of the era.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 8:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 20:24:36 -0500

I picked up Cpl in the Marines back in 2014. It is more of a tradition thing, if the wrong people see it, people could definitely get in trouble... when I pinned I wanted to follow tradition, from the 24 hours of wearing the rank without the “turtles” on to walking through “the gauntlet” and endind with the wet down. It is like a way of passage

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 8:30 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 20:30:43 -0500

If you mean the old way through a gauntlet, and blood stripes, no. Manpower and CMC put a White Letter out forbidding it, probably in 90s. People went too far and were doing real damage to arms and thighs. Gold wings at certain units, and even initiations at 8th & I were scrutinized. M-Nu or edge dressing on nut sack and all kinds of fun. They likely still go on, but are more discreet and toned down.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 8:59 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 20:59:49 -0500

I know this may sound crazy but that is actually hazing. Striking another service member for the sake of striking them is not in line with a professional military. Unfortunately, some soldiers have died to actions after they were promoted. I was enlisted when hazing was widely accepted. I didn't agree with it but I didn't have a choice. Hitting someone just because we were hit in the past really isn't a good reason.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 9:53 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:53:32 -0500

Not since the idiot on Bragg with the sledgehammer....

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Jan 18 at 2021 9:59 PM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:59:25 -0500

In the USCG and the Navy, we called it tacking on your crow.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 10:39 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 22:39:09 -0500

This became hazing in the late 90s when several videos surfaced of blood pinning of jump wings and other incidents. A few always take it to the extreme.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 10:50 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 22:50:26 -0500

I was pinned for LCpl, Cpl & Sgt and my Blood Stripes at Cpl. All of our unit pinning "ceremonies" were done in our platoon work area which had a door that was closed. Everyone from our Capt on down partook. Only ever had one ask to not be pinned. 84-96.

We were never vicious or punitive with it. And it was always strictly voluntary.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jan 18 at 2021 11:25 PM

PO3 David Fries — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 23:25:05 -0500

I did the gauntlet with my Marines when I picked up my HM3, which was the equivalent of picking up Corporal. For me it was an honor, because it made me feel like they truly accepted me as one of their own. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 11:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 23:55:01 -0500

I have had my stripes pinned on every time I have been promoted.

Response by Sgt Diego Rodriguez made Jan 19 at 2021 1:09 AM

Sgt Diego Rodriguez — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:09:46 -0500

Had it done as a Corporal, considered hazing in the Corps now but there are still some holdouts that continue the tradition. Tradition is a hallmark of the corps.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 19 at 2021 1:23 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:23:47 -0500

The Navy has (had maybe in most cases) a process called "tacking". That's where the new rank on the blouse was tacked on with a punch. It seems back in the day, the punches were more severe with the newly promoted sailor brandishing a multi hued purple arm, most always proudly. Discussions ensued in the showers about the quality of the bruises. We'd always wear a dungaree blouse as if you had the collar or cover "crows" as the only target, the clasps would dig in when punched and could leave a scar. As time went on, tacking was more ceremonial with a lightly applied punch. Down in Antarctica, if the newly promoted sailor or Seabee resisted light tacking, that was one of many Packing Offenses. You'd be taken outside, pants and skivvies dropped, and -30 snow was packed where the sun doesn't shine. Then there were beer bets on when the jewels would drop again, if ever. Those days are long gone.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jan 19 at 2021 3:58 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 03:58:52 -0500

technically "Pinning" ceremonies of that nature are considered hazing, and not supposed to be done anymore. reality was, when I was still active, that a light tap to the chest still happened. I pinned on my stripes when rank was still on the collar, and yes, I got blood wings as every NCO in the company participated in the ritual. I pinned Sergeant when on collar, Staff Sergeant when we changed to the ACU's

Response by Cpl Johnny Willis made Jan 19 at 2021 6:41 AM

Cpl Johnny Willis — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:41:35 -0500

Yes, it is still very much that way. To be honest, I like it that way, its a tradition. You just can't let the wrong people see it, but all senior NCO from higher grade - when they see a freshly new NCO limping. They already know what it's about.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jan 19 at 2021 11:59 AM

SP5 Peter Keane — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 11:59:27 -0500

As childish as shoving wedding cake into your new spouse's face.

Response by Cpl David Hamilton made Jan 19 at 2021 2:57 PM

Cpl David Hamilton — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:57:07 -0500

Pinning of rank advancement, as well as, certain achieved awards, was a rite of passage when I was in the Corps. This applied to my brother, father, uncle and grandfather. Everyone participated whether receiving or giving. It was a tradition that went back over 100 years. NCO stripes even more as you became a higher member in the brotherhood of Marines, and you got that extra, but only when you earned Corporal. Yes, it did hurt after completion but you were a Marine and Marines didn't bitch at the time from the ceremony. Hell, we would even compare to each other to see who was loved the most. However, my beloved Corps has been pussified due to the PC crowd, because a few babies can't handle it and cry about it. So the few that do it yet, have to do it behind closed doors. Even the Shellback ceremony has been pussified for the same reason.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jan 19 at 2021 3:50 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 15:50:16 -0500

PFC was the worst rank for me. I got hit by everyone in the wing of the barracks. They were lined up on both sides and hit me at the same time so there was no falling over. I had some meat on my arms and was a 300 PFT'er but after getting hit by about 50 guys who didn't hold anything back, I was every color of the rainbow from my shoulders down to my elbows. It didn't hurt after I got about halfway down the gauntlet. You get numb from the pain. In hindsight, the possibility of a blood clot does make the practice a bit dangerous. If you're going to pin stripes on, don't go 100% with your knuckles trying to hit the guy's bones... Be nice! Hit with the flat side of your fist and don't go all out. Nothing I received later even came close to that, not even when I made Cpl and had to get the blood stripe pinned on. By the time I made Sgt in '82, it was pretty much frowned upon. They still did it anyway, but it was more symbolic (like what SGT Private RallyPoint Member refers to as "a tradition thing") and people just tapped you on the arm instead of winding up.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 19 at 2021 4:32 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 16:32:51 -0500

Not publicly. Generally somebody always gets carried away and somebody ends up at sickcall or the ER.

Response by CSM Tony Blair made Jan 19 at 2021 7:18 PM

CSM Tony Blair — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:18:05 -0500

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 20 at 2021 6:26 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 06:26:56 -0500

No, it could turn into a career ending moment if with the wrong crowd. Does it means folks quit doing it? Highly doubt it. Like I stated, the "crowd" sets the stage. I still have the pins of my SGT/E5 promotion and Master Parachutist Badge stuck on me from January 1995 and March 1996, respectively.

Response by Cpl Donald Wolc made Jan 20 at 2021 9:20 AM

Cpl Donald Wolc — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 09:20:13 -0500

Back in 1974 to 1978 I was promoted I have to tell you it was an honor to get those pins and blood stripes. Now day I do not know for so much has change.

Response by PO2 Richard Taylor made Jan 20 at 2021 5:43 PM

PO2 Richard Taylor — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 17:43:36 -0500

Our job is to (usually) win the hearts and minds of an opposing force, not homegrown couch warriors. While it's understandable pinning shouldn't be a high-profile event (for the sake of gentle minds) it's a tradition that builds morale and cohesion. As long as it's 'ceremonial' and not sadistic I have no problem. I got pinned and I'm proud to this day.

Response by Cpl John Morales made Jan 24 at 2021 8:25 PM

Cpl John Morales — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 20:25:18 -0500

I remember those days. When I got promoted to Cpl. They almost gave me my blood stripes. My 1st lieutenant stopped that real quick. Back in my days Marines were getting hurt seriously. So they had stopped giving blood stripes, but those punch's on your arms were something else. The bruises on your arms were something else. Your arms would be so sore you couldn't even lift them

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2021 8:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 20:08:48 -0500

I will say officially, No this does not happen anymore. The process has be defined as hazing for which there is zero tolerance for in the Marine Corps. If you want an unofficial answer ask me on August 1st.

Response by Cpl Brian Escobar made Jan 29 at 2021 5:35 PM

Cpl Brian Escobar — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 17:35:29 -0500

I remember this. I also remember when I went to Army Airborne School at Ft. Benning, an Army Colonel drilling the spikes of my wings into my chest till I bled (so hard I had two spikes and a bruise on my chest later on..) and commending me, "Well done Marine!" I teared up not from pain but from how proud I know my Sailor grandad who served in WWII in the Pacific would have been had he been alive to see me stand on hallowed ground where legions of American Soldier's trained before heading of to battle in Normandy, New Guinea, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. It was one of my proudest achievements as a United States Citizen and Serviceman...Unfortunately, these military customs are becoming a thing of the past. If my son's recent experience in the U.S. Army is any indication of the kind of Political Correctness that now must inevitably infect the Corps, then I would guess probably not does this kind of ritual hazing go on...Marines like us are now part of an Old Breed...

-Semper Fi

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Mar 23 at 2021 1:23 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 13:23:51 -0400

In the National Guard, particularly in the combat arms it is still a tradition for the 1SG to pin the rank with a thump to the chest where the rank is worn. The issue can be a mine field though. If doing a multiple promotion of mixed gender soldiers I myself would be hesitant to thump a female in the chest for obvious reasons. Most soldiers WANT the 1SG to pin their rank and feel cheated if it doesnt happen, and that includes alot females. You cant thump a male soldier and ignore a female beside him as that shows you differentiate between men and women. The unpopular course of action for a 1SG is to not pin anyone.

Response by 2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 30 at 2021 8:24 PM

2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:24:32 -0400

This is considered a hazing activity now and would be looked down upon by leadership. It may still occur at the line unit level. It was blood wings when the rank was on the collars, and it has existed in some form in most branches of the military. However, it is not condoned by leadership for most branches if not all.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Apr 1 at 2021 2:13 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 02:13:54 -0400

My promotion to SMSgt at Hanscom AFB, MA with the new rank insignia being put over the epaulets on the uniform shirt. Only MSgt and above plus commissioned officers wore the rank insignia on the epaulets at that point in time. My Wife is doing the right shoulder and Colonel Moore, Director of Security Police from Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, MD is sliding the insignia over the left shoulder. Also promoted from Captain was Major Nicholas Zallas and He also had His wife participate in the ceremony the same as I had done. Back When He became a 2Lt He had to get a age waiver to be commissioned and was a MSgt as an enlisted Man. He retired as a Full Colonel. There were no punches for either of us on that ceremony but had light ones (taps) on lower rank promotions.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2021 3:28 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:28:05 -0400

When I made SGT in 2005 they pinned me against a tree trunk and everyone took turns. The blood ruined my BDU after it went through my t-shirt and they hit me so hard it separated the cartilage off one of my ribs.

Hurt like hell but it was part of the tradition. Good times

Response by Sgt Ed Allen made Apr 1 at 2021 7:54 AM

Sgt Ed Allen — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:54:09 -0400

I passed on pinning the blood stripes for the Marines in my department. In '82, I had one of my friends end up on no PT for about a month and bed rest for several days as a result. He was kneed badly enough that they almost dislocated his knee and he could barely walk, much less run for a few weeks.

As for pinning your rank, it was a real bitch when you were in cammies and they pinned the collar points into your clavicle.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Apr 1 at 2021 3:02 PM

SSG Bill McCoy — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 15:02:43 -0400

We still did that in the Army (MP's), but the "gauntlet" was more of an honorary thing and rank was tapped on lightly, regardless of rank. That always happened at Guard Mount (when MP's are briefed on the day's events, wanted persons, etc.). MP Duty Officers would watch without comment, but again, it was done lightly and not with any brutal punches. One female MP Duty Officer even took a cigar and I lit if for her - in fact, my profile pictures is of that event, but I cropped the photo to leave her out of it. That said, she was on of the best MP Duty Officers.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2021 5:29 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 05:29:50 -0400

Response by Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr made Apr 14 at 2021 9:27 AM

Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 09:27:16 -0400

Boy, Do I remember this....

Response by Cpl Clyde Wason made May 9 at 2021 9:41 PM

Cpl Clyde Wason — Sun, 09 May 2021 21:41:36 -0400

November of 1970 I went thru the process of punch/shoulder and knee/thigh. It was a right of passage. It wasn't mean and it wasn't malicious. It was esprit de corps.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2021 4:34 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 May 2021 16:34:55 -0400

In the Navy you get your Crow tacked on and in the next morning you have a very sore arm.

Response by CDR Red Mulvanny made Jun 4 at 2021 10:27 PM

CDR Red Mulvanny — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 22:27:46 -0400

Even in the Navy we had the tradition of tacking on a "crow" when someone made Petty Officer Third Class. I'm sure that today, it probably no longer exists.

Response by Sgt Dan Baughman made Jun 6 at 2021 3:53 PM

Sgt Dan Baughman — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 15:53:51 -0400

The day and age cell phone cameras. Before that cam corders. The internet. Before that these things were private. They were done with a few good people. Yes you hurt when done. Not injured. But the internet and cameras were the death nell of this. Now its called hazing. It has been a tradition in the Corps for years. But some have taken it to an extreme. Plus film it and post it on the internet. I went through it. Im alive and well. Just old now. So Semper Fi and keep those cameras off. A private friendly punch and knee for the blood stip.

Response by SGT Daniel Merriman made Jun 8 at 2021 7:38 AM

SGT Daniel Merriman — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 07:38:00 -0400

Jump wings/blood wings !

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2021 10:53 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 22:53:00 -0400

I got the hell pounded out of my arms for my SSgt stripes. It was a proud moment when my son also got his SSgt stripes "tacked on". While I am sure the modern military officially frowns upon this, traditions friggin matter and I'm glad this is one initiation I can share with my son who achieved equal rank to me.

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Aug 18 at 2021 11:01 AM

Cpl George Matousek — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 11:01:18 -0400

I had my stripes pinned on with the arm punches, but nothing for the blood stripes, that was 1969