Is the person pinning a Soldier supposed to be equal or higher rank than the rank you are getting promoted to (other than family)?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:35:30 -0400

I am used to this being the normal. It is highly irregular to have an PVT pin SFC rank on a SSG that is getting promoted. I was always brought up that the person pinning you was equal or higher to welcome you into their ranks. I have researched in the 600-8-19 and can not get a solid answer. Is it generally up to Commander?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 12:39 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:39:44 -0400

There was a Senior Chief that was promoted to Master Chief on my last ship. He had the most senior and most junior enlisted pin him.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 18 at 2016 12:40 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:40:27 -0400

I have been led to believe it is up to the person being promoted.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 18 at 2016 1:11 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:11:12 -0400

If the lower ranking individual is related to the one receiving the higher rank, I would see no problem( son, nephew, niece, or daughter) that are also serving.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 18 at 2016 1:31 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:31:10 -0400

I always preferred someone throwing it a me and I would pin it on myself.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 18 at 2016 1:58 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:58:13 -0400

I've always been under the impression it was up to the person getting pinned.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 2:26 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:26:43 -0400

I do not believe that the Marine Corps has any specific order on it.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Aug 18 at 2016 2:46 PM

1SG Mike Case — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:46:51 -0400

It is your promotion so you get decide who pins you.

Response by SPC Timothy Repetto made Aug 18 at 2016 3:37 PM

SPC Timothy Repetto — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:37:49 -0400

Could be a motivational tactic. If I was that PFC I would definitely be thinking to myself, this will be me one day. Nothing wrong with it. Hats off to the private for having the military bearing to make the ceremony successful.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 3:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:54:50 -0400

What is the PVT is a family member or had a huge impact in their life. Rank does not matter it is up to the person who they want to pin them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 6:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 18:29:17 -0400

I went round and round with my 1SG about this. When I made SSG, I chose my most challenging soldier to pin me. He had challenged me in every aspect of Leadership and Mentorship, overcoming marriage, drinking, and work problems. I molded him into an outstanding soldier, husband and father, as well as a dedicated NCO later on down the road. Without his "issues" I would not have been able to develop myself to the Leader I am now in respect to dealing with Soldiers and their problems. Eventually, 1SG trumped me, and my Rater ended up pinning me at the last minute. On a good note, I did get to thank him back when he asked me to welcome him to the Corps when he made cutoff for SGT, and I was able to proudly share those sentiments with him and all our peers.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Aug 18 at 2016 10:05 PM

SGT Charles Bartell — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 22:05:22 -0400

It Is Suppose To The Same Or Higher Unless They Are A Family Member.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 18 at 2016 10:09 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 22:09:26 -0400

I think the SM getting promoted should be free to allow any SM of any rank or even a civilian to pin their rank on as spouses sometimes do.

Response by SFC Dave Mccain made Aug 19 at 2016 9:50 AM

SFC Dave Mccain — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 09:50:19 -0400

In my humble opinion. It is entirely up to the person being pinned. In truth, only the commander is the promotion authority, so anyone pinning is representing the commander.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 28 at 2016 1:07 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 01:07:55 -0400

When I was promoted to SMSgt Colonel Moore, Director of Security Police at Hq, Air Force Systems Command, Andres AFB, MD shown here slid the rank insignia over My left should, My wife Joanne did the right shoulder. Also being promoted was Nichols Zallas, to Major, He like the idea of involving My wife in the ceremony and He did the same thing. We were both assigned to the 3245th Security Police Squadron (AFSC) at Hanscom AFB, MA where this took place.

Response by SPC Juli Henry made Mar 24 at 2020 6:45 PM

SPC Juli Henry — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 18:45:46 -0400

It is up to the person being promoted. My son and daughter pinned their dad.