What's the most unusual way you have seen someone receive notification of promotion?

There was one I was in where a fellow was being called in front of the platoon after somehow his ex-wife had gotten the 1SG's number. It didn't went well for him, that I waited until after the formation to come forth in speaking with Top along with my NCOIC and told them about this woman and how she had committed adultery with other service members and that she got mad that he had to get an annulment (after a few weeks of marriage) on knowing this. Time after, she never called again.

But this story, is just great. I guess she was excited, and things went well for the MSG.

My grandfather returned from a four day (honeymoon) in 1943 and was brought in front of the commander for being out of uniform. The commander smiled and handed my grandfather his new SGT stripes and the rest of the day to correct his uniforms.

I was promoted to HM3 by R.B. Talbott, LT COL, USMC, Commanding Officer of HDQTRS Co, III Marine Amphibious Brigade, DANANG, Vietnam. Marine Corps get their blood stripe at E-4, so I had my crow and a kick in the leg at the same time.

In Korea in 1989 two of my best friends and I were all promoted to PFC (along with nearly every other PV2 in the company). My best friends were roommates and one was on a mission at the DMZ, scheduled to return in a couple days. After a DMZ detail his team allowed the returning soldier the day off to square away anything personal. He knew of our promotion but didn't say anything. He was told to report to final formation. He showed up, on his day off in a t-shirt, shorts and sandals. I have a photograph of his roommate pouring a jerry can full of water over him as he is doing push ups for "being promoted out of uniform". Push-ups and water were standard fare for promotion (snow during winter) in our unit.

I know this isn't a promotion story but still...

Back when Article 15s were conducted in formation, a 1SG in one of our units pulled out his buck knife and held it out in front of a Soldier who was receiving the 15. When the commander said the word "reduced," the 1SG promptly sawed the rank off of both collars. I let him know that he probably shouldn't assault his Soldiers in open formation and I wasn't intent on going back to witness second readings after that.

It was the late 80's and a JAG at a base in Italy had a melt down on the day of a big courts-martial. Bad enough that he was required to be Air evac'd to "get the air pumped back in his brain". He left on a med-evac as a Captain and returned as a Major, so I guess getting promoted while in-patient care is pretty unusual.

I given my E-4 while in Red Chuck Taylor High Tops and in my 94B Cook whites.

Going to DP3 and DP2, both times a cook, Mess Specialist, told me before I could get to the passageway and search the results they pinned up. The cooks on the USS Puget Sound (AD38) always seemed to have the inside scoop out of the Radio room.

sons says- hustling across the FOB in Iraq, "morning TOP- get your ass over here- oh hell- get that PFC shit off and put on SPEC rank right now- uhhhh yes TOP!"

In 1993 Army Times printed the points, & if you had a subscription you got it 3-4 days ahead of the PX. Knew 1ST wife from a different comp that my husband was in. She knew he was E-5P (infantry) & called to ask me his points. He made it by 1 pt -812. I personally had to make 3 calls to confirm he was allowed 10pts self-improvement, which hubbys 1ST denied was allowed. He grudgingly called him into office to say- "Congratulations SSG, go thank your wife." don't mess with a former enlisted spouse!!