What is the most unusual reenlistment ceremony you have seen?

2013-12-18T15:42:42-05:00

I am about to reenlist soon and I want this one to be a little extra special. What was the most unusual reenlistment ceremony you have seen?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 18 at 2013 3:45 PM

2013-12-18T15:45:32-05:00

One of my soldiers reenlisted while jumping form a plane.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 4:00 PM

2013-12-18T16:00:00-05:00

I try and tie my reenlistment ceremony into the mission of my unit. In Iraq, I reenlisted in front of my team; Ft. Eustis, I reenlisted on the top of one of the boats; Recruiting, I reenlisted in front of the HOLLYWOOD sign; Ft. Hood, I reenlisted in front of an AH-64 Longbow Apache on the flight line... Make it memorable! Good luck and thank you for your continuing service!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 18 at 2013 6:09 PM

2013-12-18T18:09:16-05:00

Porta john in Balad wearing MANY reflective belts...

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 18 at 2013 7:33 PM

2013-12-18T19:33:29-05:00

SPC Hilliard,

CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to stay with the Army Team! I'm sure the Army will be better off with you on our Team.

Hope you and your command make this a memorable reenlistment for you and look forward to seeing the pictures.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 8:50 PM

2013-12-18T20:50:46-05:00

I heard of a Soldier reenlisting on the CSM's desk.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 7:25 AM

2013-12-19T07:25:36-05:00

Not a reenlistment but I promoted 9 Soldiers at one time on the USS Arizona memorial. They all hoisted flags above the memorial and received certificates from the U.S. Navy detachment.

Response by MSG Curtis Lange made Dec 20 at 2013 8:31 AM

2013-12-20T08:31:47-05:00

I was a Career Counselor, I have 3 most memorable:

1. In a helicopter (Huey) above the US Military Adademy where the Officer and NCO jumped after completing the Oath.

2. In a helicopter (Huey) while circling the Statue of Liberty done by a US Military Academy MP. We also flew up the East River past the United Nations before returning up the Hudson to the US Military Academy.

3. While at the US Military Academy post was closed for snow (a real rarity), the Officer, Soldier, and Soldier holding the folded Garrison Flag were on-top of a 25 to 30 foot pile of snow. Post was closed and there was no electricity, but the reenlistment went on anyway.

Response by MSG Curtis Lange made Dec 20 at 2013 8:34 AM

2013-12-20T08:34:15-05:00

While at Fort Leavenworth Vice President Cheney read the Oath of Reenlistment for five Soldiers assigned here. All of the paperwork was signed by LTG David Petraeus when he was the Combined Arms Center Commander.

Response by SSG Christopher Peckham made Dec 20 at 2013 9:55 AM

2013-12-20T09:55:54-05:00

I reenlisted ay PT formation then left for the day

Response by CPT Mike M. made Dec 20 at 2013 10:09 AM

2013-12-20T10:09:17-05:00

Saw a picture of an Engineer unit who was deployed and/or out in a controlled det area, threw some C4 on jugs of fuel so there wasn't a big percussive explosion but a NICE big fireball behind the American flag holders as he was reenlisting.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 7:02 PM

2013-12-20T19:02:07-05:00

I reenlisted once at my barracks on Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan back in 2006.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 10:34 PM

2013-12-20T22:34:28-05:00

I did one over the radio, seen one on a roof top of a tall building at night in the middle of Fallujah, Iraq, and heard of one on a CH-53.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 1:01 PM

2013-12-27T13:01:27-05:00

I reenlisted a guy on top of an Afghan National Army Tank
in Kabul province Afghanistan. (The Div CSM saw the photo and was the only one
who noticed I was on the wrong side of the flag)

I reenlisted another Soldier in Dress blues in front of
an airplane at the 101st museum.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 8:54 PM

2013-12-27T20:54:27-05:00

This is me reenlisting my platoon sergeant on board a C-17 Globemaster III enroute to Geronimo DZ, Fort Polk, LA. All the while maintaining good ripcord grip awareness I might add! If you can't pull that off, I have personally seen a Soldier reenlist in the gas chamber. I do solemnly swear...cough, cough...it's a tough one to complete, but I still remember it to this day! Congratulations, and thank you for selflessly serving your country, again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2013 9:31 PM

2013-12-27T21:31:50-05:00

I just re-enlisted indefinitely on 23 December, and this was my first re-enlistment I got to do state side. This is also the first time my wife and kids got to see me re-enlist also. But I am a huge Detroit Red Wings Fan and I got to re-enlist at the stadium where they play. I did my enlistment then got to stay to watch the teams morning skate, during the skate I got to meet on of my favorite hockey players Henrik Zetterberg. It was cool because being on recruiting duty has given me the opportunity to cross three things off my bucket list.

1. Meet Zetterberg

2. Re-enlist at the red wings stadium

3. See the stanly cup in person

Did all three in ASU's been a pretty good two years on recruiting.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 6:54 AM

2013-12-28T06:54:18-05:00

My supply SGT on my last deployment was injured (not badly) during a convoy by an IED.  After he was returned to duty (medically cleared) he re-enlisted in the crater left by the IED.  I was his 1SG at the time and to be honest was against putting others in harms way for his opportunity.  The CSM convinced the BC to allow it and he re-enlisted the Soldier himself in the crater.  All-in-all it was a very memorable event. Congratulations on yours and I hope you have a memorable event as well.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 16 at 2014 5:38 PM

2014-01-16T17:38:14-05:00

Had a friend who reenlisted during a jump, and another who did his while rappelling down Geronimo cliff at Fort Sill back in the 80s. I have many more that I remember, but those are a good start for your thread.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2014 6:03 PM

2014-01-16T18:03:02-05:00

Participated in one that was done in a Blackhawk while flying. Interesting job holding the american flag on that one.

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Mar 9 at 2014 2:19 PM

2014-03-09T14:19:24-04:00

One of the most creative I've seen in a while was one a soldier did at our post museum here at Campbell. The Battalion Career Counselor was acquaintances with one of the museum's staff, and they offered to unlock a WWII C-47 aircraft so the ceremony could be done inside the aircraft. Then he offered to let the soldier AND the reenlisting officer put on WWII uniforms to wear during the ceremony! The soldier, officer, and many soldiers from the unit piled into the back of the plane. Definitely a unique event!

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2014 3:44 PM

2014-03-09T15:44:25-04:00

Had two Marines reenlistment in the gas chamber a few years back... No masks, not fun...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2014 9:34 PM

2014-03-27T21:34:57-04:00

I want to Re-Enlist underwater....

Response by SGT William B. made Mar 28 at 2014 3:22 AM

2014-03-28T03:22:56-04:00

Not a reenlistment, but a promotion ceremony. Best ceremony ever was a buddy of mine somehow managed to get a base back home with a video conference room to be able to allow his family in and watch him be promoted half a world away.

He then proceeded to drop his brothers and smoke them from half a world away. That's probably some kind of record.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 5:21 AM

2014-03-28T05:21:45-04:00

The most unique reenlistment I ever witnessed was during a deployment to Khost, Afghanistan in 2010. A guy in my platoon reenlisted on top of a building outside the wire known to be owned by the Haqqani network.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 3:17 PM

2014-03-28T15:17:44-04:00

My first reenlistment was done at the front door of the Fort Drum PX.  I was going to do it at the Class VI, but they were closed that day.  So after the ceremony my wife went shopping and I had the rest of the day off.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 12:39 PM

2014-03-29T12:39:03-04:00

I helped "nudge" a Soldier into reenlisting by doing it in the gas chamber and asking the Battalion Commander to do the oath. Got the Commander and the CSM in the chamber that day.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2014 11:21 PM

2014-04-02T23:21:00-04:00

Extended via text message.

AGR, "Do you want to take the online portion of ALC?"

Me, "Yes."

AGR, "Okay."

Hour later.

AGR, "You will have to extend to do ALC."

Me, "Okay."

AGR, "Another six?"

Me, "Sure."

Done.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Apr 2 at 2014 11:26 PM

2014-04-02T23:26:55-04:00

Soldier wanted to do it while on a Foot Patrol... End Compromise... Did it a few clicks off the FOB with two squads... one doing the re-enlistment the other providing security. and still within range of the Mortars/155... Not a fun day in Afghanistan.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 11:18 AM

2014-04-03T11:18:41-04:00

One of my Soldiers reenlisted In the back of a ch47 chinook during flight. I did 3 as an acting career counselor on a c17 flying out of Afghanistan.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 3:04 PM

2014-04-03T15:04:51-04:00

This may not seem unusual for some folks but....I got to attend a reenlistment ceremony aboard a US Coast Guard MH65 helicopter while I was stationed at GTMO. Other than that I was at a reenlistment ceremony on top of a former Iraqi palace while stationed near VBC in 2011.

Response by SSG Anthony Schoepp made Apr 3 at 2014 4:10 PM

2014-04-03T16:10:42-04:00

Had a few people reenlist on what was known as Ranger Rock in the Pech River Valley, AFG. A couple reenlistment/promotions ended prematurely due to enemy fire.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 4:56 PM

2014-04-03T16:56:17-04:00

I reenlisted one of my Soldiers on the ramp of our LCM in the middle of Kure Harbor, Japan. We got a little wet but it was pretty unique.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 13 at 2014 2:09 PM

2014-04-13T14:09:30-04:00

Watched someone get reenlisted in Dubai while sitting on a camel...

Response by SFC Douglas Eshenbaugh made Jun 9 at 2014 4:20 PM

2014-06-09T16:20:07-04:00

Witnessed: 30 foot up a power pole on gaffs. Think they spent two full days training the officer doing the oath how to climb for that one.

Heard of: Someone in a dive company doing the entire ceremony underwater.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Bergeron made Jun 9 at 2014 9:11 PM

2014-06-09T21:11:52-04:00

Not sure this unusual however most memorable and last reenlistment I had was in recruiting. I wanted only an Engineer Officer to reenlist me. The only one in the recruiting battalion was the battalion commander. He drove three hours in a snow storm on Michigan roads to reenlistment me. That Officer earned my respect that night. Not many received my respect in recruiting.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 12 at 2014 2:35 AM

2014-09-12T02:35:21-04:00

In a Blackhawk and then they rappelled down SSG Private RallyPoint Member

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 15 at 2014 7:01 AM

2014-09-15T07:01:35-04:00

On top of the "honey" truck at Al Udeid that had "Dookie Monster" written in giant reflective letters on the side. If you were there in 2003...you know the truck....

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 9:07 AM

2014-09-15T09:07:00-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Good for you for making the commitment to reenlist. Certainly make it special for you. What are you thinking? Most of my reenlistments have been just your normal run of the mill. My most memorable was reenlisting right after I was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. I had the 7 of us that just got promoted and about 45 other Chief, Senior Chief, and Master Chief Petty Officers and my family there. My reenlisting officer was my mentor and former Chief Staff Officer who drove 8 hours to be there.

My last promotion was cool. I received my promotion to Senior Chief Petty Officer while I was serving at The Pentagon. I was pinned by my boss, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) Dennis Biddick and former Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Admiral John Totushek.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 2:54 PM

2014-10-23T14:54:16-04:00

When a Soldier re-enlists, it is their ceremony, and I love that Chains of Command will go out of their way to make it special. My wife, when she was in the service, re-enlisted on the Battalion Commanders desk. That was awesome.

I am stationed out of Ft Lewis and a Soldier recently re-enlisted at the Seattle Space Needle. That was pretty bitchin too.

My personal, most recent, re-enlistment I had my battalion commander re-enlist me. I am a very family oriented guy and, since my family would be coming along with me, I wanted them there. My daughter was in school at the time and rather than have her miss an entire day, I pulled her out of class and re-enlisted in front of her school. My wife and daughter held the flag. Funny part was, without telling anybody, the school got a hold of the local news network and it was televised.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2014 12:04 PM

2014-12-30T12:04:53-05:00

I had a shipmate who re-enlisted in my torpedoroom, laying inside a torpedo tube.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 7:23 AM

2015-01-17T07:23:58-05:00

We had a SSG reenlist on top of an MRAP in Iraq. MRAPs were new at the time and he insisted on climbing on top with the flag to reenlist.

My first reenlistment was done on top of a roof in Baghdad. I remember my CSM was really mad because he thought we were going to get sniped.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2015 12:53 AM

2015-02-25T00:53:07-05:00

My last reenlistment was my best one. I have served my community for 17 total years as a Volunteer Firefighter almost every place I have been stationed. When we did my ceremony I took the 85 foot ladder truck out, extended the ladder in the air, myself and my 2LT, climbed to the top, I help the flag and she executed the oath for me…. it was just us two, 85 feet up over the city, with the wind whipping the flag. It will always be memory I will keep forever.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Feb 25 at 2015 4:52 PM

2015-02-25T16:52:50-05:00

How about on ice stakes?

The original plan fell through due to the weather, so we put this together on a bit of a whim, and it actually ended up being a lot of fun.

Response by SSG Rob Cline made Mar 13 at 2015 8:18 AM

2015-03-13T08:18:30-04:00

I have had the opportunity to reenlist in many interesting locations. Saddam's Palace in 2003, aboard a UH-60, but the one that is most memorable is when I was stationed in Hawaii with the 25th ID (L). Just outside of Schofield Barracks is the LITC (Light Infantry Training Center). LITC is primarily used for Pre-Ranger, Air Assault, and Rappel Master Courses. I decided to RE-UP on the rappel tower... Here's the best part:
I roped in first and stopped about halfway down. My LT came down 'Aussie' (Looking down at me). My two battle buddies rappelled above him and stopped so they could stretch the Colors above the LT.
As far as I know, the LITC still has the picture.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2015 9:49 AM

2015-03-13T09:49:47-04:00

In my previous job as a band commander, a Soldier requested that I swear her in while standing in the Ft Dix pool, wearing our IPFU. Being a good sport, I went with it. Glad it was August!

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Mar 13 at 2015 10:00 AM

2015-03-13T10:00:49-04:00

Good One- I was the Commo Chief in a heavy engineer company at Fort Campbell. We used a lot of TNT and C-4.

I was was re-enlisting in the field where we had just built a heavy duty Command Bunker. Our Master Blaster set small charges under the timbers so when I said I DO he would hit the plunger and it would raise the lid a little and throw some dirt and dust.

The problem was no one told the OLD MAN that we were going to do this!! As I said I DO

BOOOOM!!! Scared the hell out of the CO. WASNT FUNNY AT FIRST BUT IT BECAME A GOOD CONVERSATION FOR MANY YEARS AFTER.

PS- The Old Man got over it in about 3 months but it wasn't pretty.

PSS. The highlight was that we got to rig the entire bunker and blow it apart. Now it was put together with 3ft trees cut and mounted for just the roof and when we blew it the trees were twigs and it shook the entire post. That was of course another story. Ah the good ole days.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 6 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-04-06T10:42:23-04:00

Has anyone re-uped during a HALO jump?

Response by PO1 Kyle Crippen made Apr 6 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-04-06T11:58:41-04:00

In a bar with a friend who became an LDO, neither of us brought a pen, so we used red crayons. We thought it was hysterical, in our condition. PSD was not amused, and called both our commands, both CO's were fair about, and requested we not do it again.

Response by PO1 Jason Taylor made Apr 6 at 2015 12:26 PM

2015-04-06T12:26:01-04:00

Lol the best one I seen was at a paint ball course after a session. Everyone was shot up and the guy took an oath with a "gun" to his head!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Apr 6 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-04-06T14:32:38-04:00

This picture is EPIC on so many nerdy levels that I had to add it to your thread.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2015 4:06 PM

2015-04-06T16:06:18-04:00

C5 t tail in Guam.

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Apr 6 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-04-06T17:16:11-04:00

My profile picture is me reenlisting in the Persian Gulf

Response by SSgt Bob Mobbs made Apr 7 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-04-07T22:57:35-04:00

When I reenlisted in 1974 I was in a helicopter performing an autorotation (from 8,000 ft) over Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 5:26 PM

2015-04-08T17:26:54-04:00

Recently saw a video of a re-enlistment done in the gas chamber with the officer and re-enlisting Soldier removing their masks for the Oath.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-04-08T19:53:30-04:00

I had a buddy reenlist at the top of a fire truck extension ladder. He was a volunteer fireman.

Craziest one I prepared and was there for was 20' in the air on a forklift at Bagram Airfield.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2016 5:49 PM

2016-10-15T17:49:22-04:00

I was thinking my first Coast Guard reenlistment was cool - until I read some of these.

I went to the Group Admin (BN S1) to do it as the morning staff briefing was about to start. The CWO3 in charge was heading in to the meeting and sounded pissed to have to take the time to do it. He grabbed my paperwork and asked me if I had read the contract. I just nodded and said, "Yes, Sir."
"Good. Raise your right hand."
I did.
"Do you?"
"Uhhh... Yes, Sir."
"Congratulations. You got another three years with us. Sign here..."

That was it. I loved it.

Response by MCPO Robert Kelley made Oct 20 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-10-20T13:13:56-04:00

When I was stationed at Station Castle Hill I reenlisted on top of the span of the Newport Bridge as we maintained a communications site on top of it. When I was stationed at Aids to Navigation Team Bristol I reenlisted at Brenton Reef tower which is no longer there.

Response by SFC Bob Chapman DEng made Apr 20 at 2018 11:39 AM

2018-04-20T11:39:19-04:00

Witnessed in Grafenwohr.. re-enlisted wearing nothing but web-gear and a helmet after taking a dip in a leech infested pond on one of the ranges.

Response by PO3 Bobby Quisenberry made Dec 8 at 2022 1:19 PM

2022-12-08T13:19:01-05:00

A SEAL reenlistment up top the water tower at NAB-Little Creek in Norfolk, Virginia.