Is it okay for my girlfriend to pin my CPT bars at my unit's award ceremony?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:46:38 -0500

Can my girlfriend of two years pin my CPT rank bars at my promotion ceremony which is being held at a unit outdoor awards ceremony? I don't have close family in the state, so she'd be my closest connection. It's a personnel-inclusive awards ceremony, and my girlfriend may end up being the only civilian attending if I invite her to do so. Do you think it's acceptable, or should I just choose someone in the unit to do so.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 12:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:48:17 -0500

As far as I know, you can get whoever you want to pin you. My wife has done mine for the last 3 promotions.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Nov 5 at 2020 12:49 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:49:20 -0500

It's your promotion. You can choose whomever you want to pin you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:19:47 -0500

How are folks getting their orders?!?!?! :-)

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Nov 5 at 2020 1:31 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:31:36 -0500

Yes. It's your promotion, you can have anyone you want do it.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Nov 5 at 2020 1:33 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:33:32 -0500

I pinned my niece's Chief Anchor. I have been a civilian for 49 years.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 1:59 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 13:59:32 -0500

It’s your ceremony- your choice. There is no policy on who can/can’t pin someone.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 5 at 2020 2:04 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:04:29 -0500

Yes, you can have your girlfriend pin you -- it's your choice

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Nov 5 at 2020 2:11 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:11:48 -0500

You should be able to select who you choose. That is of course with respect to local base access, and COVID policy.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 3:08 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:08:05 -0500

You're going to be a Captain and you're asking that question?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 3:23 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:23:21 -0500

My wife will pin me tomorrow to SFC. Do whatever you want. Hell, I've seen a SSG get pinned by a SPC. Kind of weird to have someone of a lower rank, but it's up to you.

Just remind her to punch your chest when you do it since service members no longer can :)

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Nov 5 at 2020 3:35 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 15:35:31 -0500

Go for it, it's your promotion

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Nov 5 at 2020 5:32 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:32:23 -0500

Just advise the CO, or whomever is in charge of preparing the ceremony, you would like her to do it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 5 at 2020 8:04 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:04:24 -0500

Sure, my girlfriend pinned on my 1LT bars.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2020 11:22 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 23:22:45 -0500

I just watched two LTs pin eachother CPT at the same time on monday. Pretty sure it can be whomever you choose.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 5 at 2020 11:56 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 23:56:13 -0500

It's your ceremony. Have who you want.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 6 at 2020 9:51 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:51:04 -0500

You’re promotion, you choose.

Response by MSgt Frank Askins made Nov 6 at 2020 9:57 AM

MSgt Frank Askins — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:57:10 -0500

I am never disappointed by some of the questions asked on this forum. Someone is going to be a captain and hasn't learned yet that all you have to do is contact your unit and ask them. What has happened to the military these days? Are people really so naive (stupid??) that they don't know the basics of who to contact for most of these questions?? I've been retired for 33 years now and I know it has changed but is it really this bad????

Here's a hint for you LT...... ASK YOUR COMMANDER OR 1SGT.... I'll bet they can give you a direct answer... It's been said that there are no dumb questions and I'll agree with that but I'm also thinking there are some DUMB places to ask some of those questions.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Nov 6 at 2020 9:57 AM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:57:46 -0500

I don't think so , your girlfriend won't be there when you are commanding, or is she?

Response by SGT Michael Koukaras made Nov 6 at 2020 10:02 AM

SGT Michael Koukaras — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:02:45 -0500

Everybody calm down. I think deep down you already knew it would be o.k. I think what you are really concerned with is maybe dealing with blowback from the company/battalion. Like many have already said it's ok just let them know, preferably not the day before or day of.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2020 10:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 10:54:52 -0500

Sir, It's your promotion. My wife has pinned on my rank in formations since I was a PFC.

Response by SSG Hubert Stapler made Nov 6 at 2020 11:30 AM

SSG Hubert Stapler — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 11:30:42 -0500

I agree with the others. You’re going to be a captain and you’re asking this question. No she does not need to pin your captain bars on, she needs to re-pen your first lieutenants bars back on. And I’m just a staff sergeant

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Nov 6 at 2020 11:41 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 11:41:06 -0500

I don't see any problem with that and in fact when I was promoted to SMSgt My Wife, Joanne on the left put the rank insignia of My right shoulder and Colonel Moore, Director of Security Police from Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, MD did the left shoulder. A friend of mine Nicholas Zallas was being promoted to Major and He liked that so well He asked if His wife could do the same for Him which She did. We were the only two being promoted at that ceremony at Hanscom AFB, MA I'd say go ahead and have Your girlfriend participate in the honor of pinning the Captains rank insignia on You.