What are some commissioning traditions?

MAJ Jerry Murray — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 20:54:45 -0400

My son is commissioning as an Infantry Officer in two weeks with a very informal ceremony due to Covid. I will be giving the oath (retired field grade) and my wife/his mother will be giving him his first salute (due to Covid it is a private ceremony so his ROTC cadre won't be present) and collect the silver dollar. Any other traditions?? Serious or otherwise... (tempted to ask him for 5 yards of flightline but I suspect he would not fall for it).

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2021 9:09 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 21:09:35 -0400

There's always exhaust samples from a truck..............

I did the silver dollar thing. I direct commissioned so all I got was a letter in the mail, but I kept that silver dollar in my pocket until I had someone to give it to. Honestly, made the situation more special, because in the vast majority they get sucked up at graduations.

So some SPC at a random battle assemble got mine, and my parents gave a bunch of silver dollars from the year I was born. So I gave him one of those, a 1972 Eisenhower.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2021 1:13 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 01:13:19 -0400

As you're already tracking and CPT Private RallyPoint Member mentioned, there is the silver dollar tradition of the first salute. Your first salute is paid for, the rest are earned. I'd recommend a 2021 American Silver Eagle.

As for other traditions, none I'm aware of.