Posted on Oct 3, 2015
What's the most unusual way you have seen someone receive notification of promotion?
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Posted 10 y ago
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A few years back, during a Commander's Call, my Squadron Commander was talking about standards when his phone rang on his hip.
He answered it, and after a few moments, said, "Ma'am I'm in the middle of a Commander's Call, can this wait?" Moments after, he asked if TSgt XXXX was in the crowd. After a few moments of blank stares, he elaborated with the Sergeant's duty flight, and the man stood up.
"It's your wife on the phone," the Commander said, "and evidently it's important enough that she is interrupting this briefing and calling me to talk to you. Please come up here."
It was the most embarrassing walk of shame for him, and he marched up to the front and stood at attention in front of the Commander. "What's that, ma'am? You want me to tell him?" The Commander slowly lowered his phone, then said, "Your wife wanted me to congratulate you on making Master Sergeant." He pulled out some slap-on stripes, coined the new SNCO, and gave him a round of applause. First month's raise probably went into a new pair of pants b
He answered it, and after a few moments, said, "Ma'am I'm in the middle of a Commander's Call, can this wait?" Moments after, he asked if TSgt XXXX was in the crowd. After a few moments of blank stares, he elaborated with the Sergeant's duty flight, and the man stood up.
"It's your wife on the phone," the Commander said, "and evidently it's important enough that she is interrupting this briefing and calling me to talk to you. Please come up here."
It was the most embarrassing walk of shame for him, and he marched up to the front and stood at attention in front of the Commander. "What's that, ma'am? You want me to tell him?" The Commander slowly lowered his phone, then said, "Your wife wanted me to congratulate you on making Master Sergeant." He pulled out some slap-on stripes, coined the new SNCO, and gave him a round of applause. First month's raise probably went into a new pair of pants b
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SSG Bob Teachout
Feb 28, 1980, I was in the terminal of McGuire AFB- waiting on my flight for a PCS to Germany. While there, I bought a copy of Army Times. Happened to be the issue with promotion points - It was the first month I would be eligible- lo and behold the points had drop some 50-100 points from the previous months - well, I walked on the plane as an E-5 - and the next day when we arrived in Frankfurt - I got off (technically) as an E-6!
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CW3 John McGrail
Way back in 1969 I was a student at DLI, Monterey CA, studying the Japanese language. Received notice to report to Commander of Troops, a Nisei LTC noted for his strict attitude. I reported immediately. He looked me up and down and said “Chief, you are out of uniform”. I looked over my greens and told him I thought I was in proper uniform. He repeated that I was out of uniform. I searched again with negative results. I stood there silently, awaiting his wrath. Instead, he reached into his desk and pulled out a set of CW3 bars and said, for the third time, that I was out of uniform. That was how I was informed that I had been promoted. He then smiled, the only time in the year I was there that I saw that smile.
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CPL Joseph Elinger
We always nick named the wives "the Sargent Major," when they called. One time my Platoon Sgt (much like Barak Obama) called his wife "Sir."
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MSG Jim Ballinger
When I was first considered for MSG (E8) in the Army, I was in the Individual Ready Reserve, and I received two letters from the promotion board. The first advised that I had been considered, but was not promoted. Up in the top left corner of the letter was the number "89". The second letter arrived a few days later advising me that I had been promoted. Up in the top left corner of the letter was the number "89". Apparently, "89" was my sequence number on the list and I was promoted the next month. No one could ever explain the first letter.
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I saw a Platoon Sergeant walk up to one of his PFCs and start to chew him out in front of his buddies. He then said the soldier didn't deserve the rank he was wearing, and then started to take the rank off his collars (this was back in the late 80s). He then pulled out the E-4 ranks and started to pin them on, telling the soldier he was deserving of a higher rank.
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SFC James (JD) Flemal
I was a Buck Sergeant tasked with taking a Jeep with a driver to a military training area to provide coverage as a Forward Observer for 30 days. I had coordinated with the driver to have the pre-loaded Jeep, trailer and equipment in front of the Company at 0545 ready to roll. 0545 came and went with no Jeep or driver in sight. 0605 I was called into the 1SGs office, called to attention, and was chewed up one side and down the other. The 1SG told me I was in violation of the UCMJ for failure to make movement, pulled open his desk drawer stating that he was going to throw the book at me. He was a 5 foot Puerto Rican who could make even the hardest seasoned veteran cringe. He reached into the desk and pulled out a set of SSG stripes, hit me in the chest with them, yelled at me to get in uniform and get out of his office. The door to the Commanders office opened, there stood the Commander, my Platoon Sergeant, and my Wife all smiles while I just about wet myself. After a small celebration I headed out still shaken while my driver chuckled all the way.
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PFC Josh Smith
this reminds me of something that happened to me I was an E-3 and was in charge of the QC of wheeled vehicals for my unit I had an E-5 come up to me and demand that I QC his vehical and that I pass it, at that point I knew just by his attitude he probably did not do his PMCS so we get out to the parking area and I see one vehical covered in mud and ask him "is that muddy vehical yours?" he says "yes" so I said "deadlined" and started to walk off he started yelling at me and telling me to drop mind you I also had a permanint profile for a broken coller bone, anyway I then told him that it was clear he did not do his PMCS as step one of the PMCS was wash your vehical, and I had better things to do then have him waist my time and if he had a problem with the way I did my job then he needed to talk with my section sargent (E-6), so I went and did the QC for a E-4 that was allways respectfull of me and found 1 problem but rather then deadlining the vehical I asked him to hand me a wrence and tighted the bolt for him since I was under the vehical anyway, then passed his vehical, he told me i did not have to do that but i told him about the E-5 and that he had always been respecful so had no issue with helping him out we ended up having a good laugh at the E-5's expence then when I got back to the office I seen the E-5 at parade rest getting chewed out by my section sargent, a few months latter i had another run in with the same E-5 and a similar insident happened again when I was put in charge of doing some inventory for the unit after that I got told that since I not only was handeling dutys supervising others during the inventory check but that i also handled the issues the way an E-4 should that I was to expect a promotion in a month, that never happened though as I was medicaly discharge for my sholder injory 2 weeks latter.
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MSgt Theodore Nikodem
In September oI 1989, was in the Air Guard on temporary active duty with the NGB at Andrews AFB.
I knew a promotion was somewhere in the paper mill of the ANG. The first few days I went to work wearing my blue shirt with Tsg stripes sewn on the sleeves. One afternoon I was told there was a FAX for me. I went to the ftont desk and collected the FAX.
I said nothing then but I headed to the BX right after work and bought a set of Msg epaulets for the new shirt I had without stripes. The next stop was billeting where I got transferred from NCO quarters to SNCO quarters.
The next day, I went to work wearing my new MSG insignia wondering how long it would take for coworkers to notice (about 5 minutes).
The only downside was the money I spent for a small promotion party at Andrews AFB AND and a larger promotion party when I was back at the Air National Guard base.
I knew a promotion was somewhere in the paper mill of the ANG. The first few days I went to work wearing my blue shirt with Tsg stripes sewn on the sleeves. One afternoon I was told there was a FAX for me. I went to the ftont desk and collected the FAX.
I said nothing then but I headed to the BX right after work and bought a set of Msg epaulets for the new shirt I had without stripes. The next stop was billeting where I got transferred from NCO quarters to SNCO quarters.
The next day, I went to work wearing my new MSG insignia wondering how long it would take for coworkers to notice (about 5 minutes).
The only downside was the money I spent for a small promotion party at Andrews AFB AND and a larger promotion party when I was back at the Air National Guard base.
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My commander, squadron superintendent, and operations officer came to my work center just before 4 on Friday (very unusual at my DFAC) and just started asking everyone about their plans for the weekend. When they got to me I told them I would be doing homework and picking up some Reservists at the airport coming in for TDY. He told me that being the face of the squadron is a lot of responsibility for an A1C, so they better make me a SrA below the zone. It's effective November 7.
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LCDR Arthur Whittum
Glad to see some commands still have some fun with executing a promotion. I remember getting promoted to E7 in Coast Guard. Base Ketchikan AK. Got my usual hazing meal in the CPO mess. Eating my entire meal out of a trough with boxing gloves on. Then getting word from XO via some personnel floozie that XO had not seen promo letter, much less signed it. So back into dress blues as ET1. Then assigned as duty driver for night. Drove CO to his residence and that was about it. At 0900 the next morning I was Called to COs office and directed to get into the proper uniform. The CO had overridden the XO’s “little joke”.
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Brad Miller
LCDR Arthur Whittum - The XO crossed the line from practical joke, to painful. Not cool!
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SGT George Smith
When I went to Torri Station, Okinawa I was 18. In the first 6 months I learn Ed I did t handle booze well. My 1sgt was everywhere I went and all over my butt. One day I got a call from 1sgt Cromly to get my ass to the orderely room, now. I ran trying to figure out what I had done because I was on the straight path for several months. I entered his office, scRedas hell. He said to report to the CO. The CO scowled at me for what seemed like an hour, stood up, handed me promotion order to SP 4 and shook my hand. I turned and the 1sgt had a huge smile on his face and shook my hand never saw him smile before or after.
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Many moons ago, while at my civilian job as a Deputy with the Jackson County, MO, Sheriff's Department, I received an intercom call from the Sheriff that two federal agents were in his office and that I was being requested to present myself there without delay. I knew I hadn't recently committed any federal crimes and the Boss hadn't said which agency the two men represented. I approached his office, where his secretary grudgingly waved me in. The Sheriff was just inside the door, and closed it behind me. I saw the backs of two men seated in front of the Old Man's desk. The Sheriff led me around HIS desk to HIS chair, and told me to Sit. I now saw the faces of the federal men who were there, and instantly recognized them as fellow agents in the 2nd District of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, in which we served. They stood up and one proceeded to read the CGIS Director's letter concerning my promotion to Chief Petty Officer in the USCG. For about four minutes or so, since the Sheriff had first paged me, I had been wondering what the inside of Leavenworth looked like. It took the same amount of time to go from being scared shitless to being a newly promoted Chief. That was probably the most incredible thrill ride I'd ever taken in that short amount of time.
BTW, the Sheriff later told me to go home and start my weekend a couple days early. The Old Man had been a highly sympathetic to and an extremely generous supporter of my military activities. As a Reserve special agent in CGIS, the one weekend a month and two weeks of ADT did not apply at all. I was constantly receiving calls at work or home from my district SAIC or directly from Washington to get somewhere Code 1. The Sheriff never once balked and never once docked me for the copious absences I took from the job. Almost one year to the day after I retired from the department in 1996, Sheriff Jim Anderson, my boss, my friend, and a U.S. veteran, died from a massive heart attack, sitting in HIS office, in HIS chair.
BTW, the Sheriff later told me to go home and start my weekend a couple days early. The Old Man had been a highly sympathetic to and an extremely generous supporter of my military activities. As a Reserve special agent in CGIS, the one weekend a month and two weeks of ADT did not apply at all. I was constantly receiving calls at work or home from my district SAIC or directly from Washington to get somewhere Code 1. The Sheriff never once balked and never once docked me for the copious absences I took from the job. Almost one year to the day after I retired from the department in 1996, Sheriff Jim Anderson, my boss, my friend, and a U.S. veteran, died from a massive heart attack, sitting in HIS office, in HIS chair.
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LTC (Join to see)
I retired from Grandview and remember Jim well... and can easily see him doing this...;)
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SCPO (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) ... That's too cool, Dean. Full military career and then a whole police career? Did we ever cross paths? I apologise for not remembering if we did. But, then, I can't remember yesterday. Too many cervezas in between!!!
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A thousand years ago, when I was promoted to E-5 in the Army, I absolutely HATED my 1SG - he was a total dick and couldn't relate to humanity in general. At the formation for my promotion, he pinned on one of my collar devices, along with my Platoon Sergeant. The whole formation erupted into cheers and applause as I ran back to formation - and, as I assumed my new spot as team leader, I made eye contact with the 1SG. Very quietly - I'm sure I never actually heard it - he said, "Where's Sergeant Motyka?"
I looked around like a damned prairie dog, looking for the new NCO with my (extremely rare) last name. It took a few seconds before I realized what he did - and I looked back at him. He was just smiling at me.
That lousy bastard ended up being a good friend and mentor... and I found that I had just been a spoiled, juvenile jerk.
Thanks, Top!!
I looked around like a damned prairie dog, looking for the new NCO with my (extremely rare) last name. It took a few seconds before I realized what he did - and I looked back at him. He was just smiling at me.
That lousy bastard ended up being a good friend and mentor... and I found that I had just been a spoiled, juvenile jerk.
Thanks, Top!!
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PO1 TheBee Ef A
We had a guy like that. He was the biggest dick to every junior guy (we had a 2 year long qualification for crew chief, and you were considered junior until you made crew chief) but one flight I had with him, I answered every question correctly that he asked about procedures or the gear, and ever since then, he treated me with a decent amount of respect. After that I realized he was kind of putting on a show by being a dick, just pushing people to be shit-hot crewman, and I started finding it hilarious.
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I was walking around Iraq in 2003 as a SFC for 4 months without knowing it. Our CSM had..........issues. Eh,...back to digging foxholes.
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SFC Ralph E Kelley
I was deployed in South America (nothing exciting - just doing the job) when my ANCOC (read as the Army's 1980s Senior Leaders Course) Course orders came down. My 1SG scrawled "Deployed - Unable to send, Mission Essential Personnel" and sent them back.
Once I got back and 'got my copy' the S1 told me the next school was 18 months off.
~
Since you had to graduate from the school to be promoted (and I had made the list), it led to a chain of command crawl up to 193rd Bde (highest Army in Panama at that time) as I got the same answer at every level. After being told the same thing by that CSM I requested to speak 'open door' to the Brigade's Commander. The CSM smiled and said, "Wait here".
~
A few minutes later I reported and noted (with much concern) that my PSG, 1SG, CSM, PL, CO and BN CO were there also. The Bde CSM called the room to attention and everyone snapped to. The Brigade Commander (2 star of a separate brigade the size of a division) had waived the school requirement and promoted me to PSG (non-DA promotion to E7).
Once I got back and 'got my copy' the S1 told me the next school was 18 months off.
~
Since you had to graduate from the school to be promoted (and I had made the list), it led to a chain of command crawl up to 193rd Bde (highest Army in Panama at that time) as I got the same answer at every level. After being told the same thing by that CSM I requested to speak 'open door' to the Brigade's Commander. The CSM smiled and said, "Wait here".
~
A few minutes later I reported and noted (with much concern) that my PSG, 1SG, CSM, PL, CO and BN CO were there also. The Bde CSM called the room to attention and everyone snapped to. The Brigade Commander (2 star of a separate brigade the size of a division) had waived the school requirement and promoted me to PSG (non-DA promotion to E7).
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
The Army uses it's 'heart' in mysterious ways! The lack of heart in other ways, breaks Soldier's heart and their affection for the Army. CSM
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MSG Tad DuBois
After almost 20 years as an MSG, more than a few persons Officer AND Enlisted had asked why I wasn’t a Sergeant Major - not a club I wanted to join.
Have to say, only knew three or four that weren’t political and just looking out for themselves: Active AND Reserves.
Have to say, only knew three or four that weren’t political and just looking out for themselves: Active AND Reserves.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
MSG Tad DuBois After my retirement function, a brother-in-law, (retired USAF), said Chuck, “you must ave been a real politician”. I responded that I wasn’t smart enough to be a politician!
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Had Specialist that busted his butt, and I wanted to make him a Corporal, not as punishment but as a reward and a way to get him ready to move up in the ranks. When the paperwork came back approved, our Chief and myself decided to have some fun with him.
Brought him into the Chief's office, Chief asked if he knew why he was in the Chief's office with the Company Commander and 1SG and the rest of his COC present.
He responded back with no, Chief said well you must have done something to end up in here to see me so please think. The Specialist thought and said Chief I have no clue, Chief said well I will tell you that you don't deserve the rank you are wearing took it off his chest (ACU's) and threw his rank and slapped his NCO stripes on him before he knew what was going on.
Took him a bit to look down and when he looked down, he got red, and smiled.
Needles to say he was surprised
Brought him into the Chief's office, Chief asked if he knew why he was in the Chief's office with the Company Commander and 1SG and the rest of his COC present.
He responded back with no, Chief said well you must have done something to end up in here to see me so please think. The Specialist thought and said Chief I have no clue, Chief said well I will tell you that you don't deserve the rank you are wearing took it off his chest (ACU's) and threw his rank and slapped his NCO stripes on him before he knew what was going on.
Took him a bit to look down and when he looked down, he got red, and smiled.
Needles to say he was surprised
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A while back I had witnessed a navy roll call on board the captain was doing the roll call as i assume is norma. He gets to this poor guy his last name was stain. The captain calls him out as seamen stain looks over to some one and whispers "we have to promote this kid I refuse to say this again." And the next day he was promoted out of being a seamen. Probably one of the best things I got to see.
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SrA Matt Brouillette
I had a Major who was Prior service enlisted navy Major Stein, one point he was Seamen Stein.
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SGT Kenneth Partyka
Thats funny. I served with a couple interestingly named people too. Captain Midnight and Private Dick. We always told Dick that he better never get comissioned. Going through life as Major Dick would have been tough. Though Seaman Stain tops them both!
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CPT Terry Lewis
SGT Kenneth Partyka - I had the pleasure of serving in Germany with an Army 2d Lt Smith who, for some crazy reason, had been given the first name of "General" by his parents. I loved it when he would call down to the motor pool to call for a car and announce that it was "Lt. General Smith calling." (Last name changed to protect the innocent).
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I was called in to my departments classified conversation conference room to be meritoriously promoted personally by President Reagan...He was on a speaker phone in the situation room at the White House and I was at NWS Yorktown,Virginia. I am, as far as I know, the only person to serve in the military to be personally promoted by the POTUS. At least that is what he told me. 5 August 1983.
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