Where/what was your most unique promotion (enlisted or officer) ceremony?

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 09:34:05 -0400

My most memorable and meaningful promotion ceremony was when I pinned on Major. I held the ceremony at historic Fort McHenry which is the birthplace of the Star Spangled banner during the war of 1812. I was able to hoist my replica 15 star/15 stripe flag during the ceremony. At the end, the park ranger actually let lower to official 15 star flag, and my wife and son were honored to help fold it.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 9:40 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 09:40:12 -0400

My most memorable promotion ceremony was getting promoted to Captain somewhere over the Northern Altlantic as we were flying back after completing our deployment to Afghanistan. The BN CDR made an announcement over the intercom and the three of us LTs went to the front and did the whole ceremony over the intercom. It was a cool way to return home and definitely a unique location to do it!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2017 3:11 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 15:11:51 -0400

Not my promotion ceremony, but a guy I worked with. Temporarily stationed on the icebreaker Polar Star, promotion from LTJG to LT, out on the ice. We got about a day in, below 70 degrees S Latitude, 21 feet of ice around us, stopped the ship, threw the brow over the side, and had an All-Hands to promote him. A few others did their re-enlistments on the ice or at McMurdo (on top of Observation Hill). Pretty neat experience. I'd left already, but I think on the way back, after the Golden Shellback initiation (crossing the Equator at the International Date Line) they had a re-enlistment at the cross.

Response by CPT Don Kemp made May 16 at 2018 10:09 PM

CPT Don Kemp — Wed, 16 May 2018 22:09:20 -0400

I was promoted to Sergeant E-5 at Pan Mun Jom in the Korean DMZ. In the photo below, from left to right, CPT Michael Arruti, Joint Security Area Company Commander, me, Spec 4 Kelley, LTC Gaylon Johnson, JSA BN CDR, and CSM McDonald reading the orders.

We are directly across the street from the blue buildings seen recently when Kim Jong Un crossed into South Korea.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2018 8:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 May 2018 08:25:04 -0400

Fort McHenry is one of the best military history museums I have been to, and is a must-see if you are in Baltimore. It was much better than I expected.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2018 11:06 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 23:06:18 -0400

On board “Old Ironsides”, the USS Constitution (oldest commissioned warship afloat), pinning on Lieutenant Commander, with my dad (Army) giving the Oath (maybe just me, but it’s a little weird getting old enough to outrank your dad). Did I mention my bachelors is in history? LOVED being allowed to do this; many thanks to the special events coordinator and XO and CO! In the last pic, my eldest son and I are looking into the chaplain’s cabin; for those who don’t know, back in the day the ship’s Chaplain was also the schoolmaster/teacher for the Midshipmen. Care to guess what my civilian job is? Yup, teaching 13-14 year olds. Anyway, history major being promoted on an iconic piece of American military history. :D