When is the last time you attended a promotion ceremony?

2018-09-16T20:49:05-04:00

Today, Sep 16, 2016, I attended the promotion ceremony for LTC Private RallyPoint Member ‘s promotion to Lieutenant Colonel at the USAR Center, Garden Grove, CA.

The ceremony followed a mini-parade type Change of Command Ceremony for the 1st BDE, Pacific Division, 84th Training Command. (Railsplitters).

I really enjoyed the ‘Parade Routine’ and music per FM(?) 22-5. I also appreciated having zero responsibility.

LTC’s Conway’s Daughter Sage is the one in the red blouse. My uniform might not have fitted, I didn’t try.

There were perhaps 40 to 50 attendees in civilian clothes. When the National Anthem was played, I did not see any of them render a hand on chest salute! America does have a problem!

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Sep 16 at 2018 9:26 PM

2018-09-16T21:26:14-04:00

Just the other day. Several of my NCOs were promoted. Uplifting for them and their families. This follows an Army tradition that is sometimes hard for the young Soldiers to understand until the are getting promoted.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Sep 16 at 2018 10:13 PM

2018-09-16T22:13:25-04:00

Very nice gesture, CSM Charles Hayden, and my congratulations again to you, LTC Private RallyPoint Member!
CSM Hayden, I annually attend the commissioning ceremonies of the 200th Regiment (LDR) and I’ve attended a number of general officer promotion ceremonies over the past ten years. All the GOs are personal friends and one I even trained at OCS!

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 16 at 2018 10:16 PM

2018-09-16T22:16:07-04:00

CSM why isn't that FNG LTC at Parade Rest next to you? I think that "smile" is what you gave before the knife hands came out flying.
On the vet end of that. I've got nothing. Not going to make excuses for them, but I still think of all the mess that happens at 1650 (10 minute warning), at 1659 (every door imaginable is being run through) leading into 1700 where you hardly see anyone outside, and when someone stops there's always "that ONE" who wants to bitch about "WHY" and either don't care about protocol and rules, or think they or their spouse is too high ranking to bother to stop.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Sep 16 at 2018 10:24 PM

2018-09-16T22:24:00-04:00

Congratulations LTC! Last promo I attended was at Ft Bragg two years ago. Retirement one year ago also at Ft Bragg. Both former members of my last unit

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Sep 16 at 2018 10:44 PM

2018-09-16T22:44:02-04:00

Last week.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Sep 17 at 2018 12:30 AM

2018-09-17T00:30:00-04:00

Couple months ago!

Congrats to LTC Conway!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 17 at 2018 12:45 AM

2018-09-17T00:45:36-04:00

Last week. Laterally appointed one of my Soldiers to Corporal.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 1:00 AM

2018-09-17T01:00:21-04:00

I did see a couple of men who did put their hand over their heart. Both of them were former Special Forces retirees who were noncommissioned officers when the Brigade Commander was a sergeant. Yes, some did not put their hand over their heart.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 1:05 AM

2018-09-17T01:05:07-04:00

Chuck, thank you very much for your friendship attending my promotion ceremony! Sorry for the late thank you but I came back to the hotel and took about three hour nap.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 2:31 AM

2018-09-17T02:31:49-04:00

This was also a Brigade Change of Command Ceremony with a lot of participants. The BDE Commander made it a family day after the Change of Command, Awards and my Promotion. LTC Glorioso was Promoted to COL. He just finished War College. He is an Armor Officer and was in 1/185 Armor before going to the USAR. He was my Chief of Team (OC-T Team Leader as a LTC for 3 years)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2018 2:59 AM

2018-09-17T02:59:34-04:00

My Aunt and Uncle drove from the San Francisco Bay area. My Uncle was SSG USAF and served from 1966-1970. He was a Wheelus AFB. My Aunt was married to my belated Uncle John Conway CPT, USMC who served in Vietnam 65-66. Both shot at our Change of Command, Promotion and Family Day. My Aunt Kathy shot 43 out of 45 and Uncle Larry shot 45 out of 45 on Burst. Both are in their 70s.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 17 at 2018 9:30 AM

2018-09-17T09:30:41-04:00

Got to go see one of our former Engineer tech 12Tango Corporals from my days at the 62nd get promoted to WO3, He was pinned by the former S3 Construction section LT who is now a BN Commander. It was well done and I was very happy to be invited.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Sep 17 at 2018 1:09 PM

2018-09-17T13:09:34-04:00

I love seeing this stuff happen. I assume you two met via RP?

Response by SPC Michael Vroman made Sep 20 at 2018 10:12 AM

2018-09-20T10:12:45-04:00

The last time I attended one it wasn't really a promotion (CSM to CSM) but it was a move up in responsibility and Change of Command (BN to BDE). That would've been 2014 at Ft. Hood.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 30 at 2018 1:46 PM

2018-09-30T13:46:45-04:00

It has been some while, I'd say back on 2012 just before I retired I actually was involved in promoting several soldiers within the Brigade Headquarters before I left on 1 February 2012 CSM Charles Hayden You're looking good there with LTC Private RallyPoint Member - Glad you had the chance to get together for his promotion Charles! This is one you want to share with others.

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Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 30 at 2018 2:02 PM

2018-09-30T14:02:38-04:00

Last promotion ceremony I went to, was the year before I went IRR, that was in '99 , I went IRR in 2000.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 2:07 PM

2018-09-30T14:07:24-04:00

This year when my former Co Cdr was promoted to COL.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 4:58 PM

2018-09-30T16:58:40-04:00

Just about every closing formation I have...
Otherwise I seldom hold the formation in the first place.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2019 1:06 PM

2019-07-09T13:06:26-04:00

Not the last one I attended, but my favorite was when I got to pin my daughter from PFC to SPC