Does your base still do Promotion Ceremonies? Is this something we should continue to do or should it stop?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:43:55 -0400

For about a year or 2, my base has stopped doing Promotion Ceremonies and the haven't got a good answer as to why. They only do the Senior NCO Induction Ceremony and a party for SSgt and TSgt Selects.

When I was coming up through the ranks you would go to a base event and people that were promoting would be recognized at all ranks. Often times there would be cake and refreshments. Nothing big, but how many bases still practice this?

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Oct 21 at 2015 1:48 PM

TSgt Gwen Walcott — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:48:32 -0400

They do for Generals; any one else, need not apply

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 1:52 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:52:39 -0400

Our Wing does for the enlisted. Some of the O's set stuff up, but typically they are small, squadron level events for the junior officers.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 1:53 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:53:43 -0400

WTF? Really? Marine Corps does it on the first of each month.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 1:58 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:58:43 -0400

Team Tyndall is still doing monthly promotion ceremonies and I believe they absolutely should be continued. It didn't matter what rank I was promoting to, it was a special day each and every time. As a SNCO I really enjoy going out and congratulating the new promotes and celebrating with them as they take the next step. I know that sounds like the "AF" answer but one of the things I enjoy most about being in the AF is the camaraderie that events like that can produce.

Response by 1stSgt John Sims made Oct 21 at 2015 2:22 PM

1stSgt John Sims — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:22:17 -0400

Your leadership is lazy, no other reason. Leadership that cannot balance duty and tradition, with a little bit of recognition, is overwhelmed and possibly incompetent. Step up and take the situation by the hand and do something about it. "They" are all of us, remember?

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 2:40 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:40:38 -0400

Our NOSC is trying hard to do it ever month... but we are just so few ... it hardly have an promotion every month.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 5:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:48:52 -0400

My base used to do promotion ceremonies every month for everyone that was promoting that month. Now they have left it up to each individual group to have their own promotion ceremonies instead of just one huge ceremony. When the test results come out for each promoting rank there is still a big "party" for the promotees and they often serve cake and punch (or beer if you're of age).

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 6:22 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:22:38 -0400

This year my squadron hosted its own NCO induction for newly selected SSgt, only selects and up allowed to attend no officers, it was excellent having that recognition and giving us a real sense of accomplishment! As well being able to discuss future endeavors with my senior leadership and peers. Altogether it was a wonderful time.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Oct 22 at 2015 2:05 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 02:05:07 -0400

Whiteman does it for enlisted members at least. Not sure about Os. I myself personally didn't want to go but it was mainly because I have had to flip flop my sleep schedule far too many times in the past couple of months to constitute changing it again to make it to a short ceremony for a rank I was given with little stipulation. It was kind of cool getting my picture taken with Gen. Tibbetts though.

I think that they should do it for at least Staff Sergeants and up. Basically for the ones who actually have to put forth a significant amount of effort to acquire the ranks. As for Junior Enlisted, it's okay but if they excluded us I wouldn't have been disappointed. Junior Enlisted promotions are practically handed out like flyers nowadays so long as you're a good noodle so I feel that the recognition is a little over done for us.

Response by Sgt David Hendricks made Oct 22 at 2015 6:20 PM

Sgt David Hendricks — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:20:44 -0400

Nope, Chanute closed in 93.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 11:01 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 11:01:22 -0400

I personally think it's important to do promotion ceremonies. You strive your entire career performance based on the fact that you want to promote.

I'm stationed at Peterson AFB, when the selection list comes out, the base hosts a Selection ceremony to recognize all of the promotees.

Just yesterday, we conducted a promotion ceremony for one of our Majors and I had a ceremony for myself once I put on Tech.

It would have to come down to what it clearly says in the AFI, plus what the unit does. The commander or OIC will determine the effort level of having them. Plus a good strong SNCO should always encourage having them for any rank and should know how to set one up.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:07 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:07:18 -0500

To me it's part of tradition so I believe it should be done, not to mention continuing to recognize accomplishment within the ranks. If some prefer not to participate I'd say it's their choice (some have big issues with being in the spotlight) but overall I think it should be. If not at the base at least at the unit level. Just about every unit I've been in had some kind of ceremony whether formal or informal, and at least half the bases did Wing-wide ceremonies. I'm also at Peterson and yes they do them as mentioned.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 10 at 2015 4:23 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 16:23:17 -0500

I think it is important to keep traditions. When we stop that, we lose our identity. I know it is a small thing to some but it is huge tot he gamily members. was once told that the ceremony is not for you...it is for the other in the unit and you family. it shows them that you have done good and are moving up. My wife love everyone of my ceremonies and my parents relished them. My daughter, when she was old enough to understand, remembers them fondly...as she was part of the ceremony. They got to hear stories about me that I never told...to me it was just a job but to them it was something outstanding. I think we need to keep doing them. This shouldn't even be a question to leadership!!!