Retirement Keepsake -- does your unit or MOS have a tradition?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:07:58 -0500

After leaving the Corps, specifically Reconnaissance, one is given a gift. It is a keepsake and is to cherished and taken care of forever. Our tradition was an amphibious paddle. The NCOs in the platoon typically gift the exiting Recon Marine with a paddle, it turns into a party of course. Our officers are rotated in every two years and the NCOs also gift our officers with a paddle. I am not sure if we are the only ones that gift paddles...I would imagine any amphibious unit could also gift with a paddle. Some of them are paddles are plain, while others are quite extravagant...the knots intricate, complicated, and detailed.

Our heritage runs deep, for a great read:
After leaving the Corps, specifically Reconnaissance, one is given a gift. It is a keepsake and is to cherished and taken care of forever. Our tradition was an amphibious paddle. The NCOs in the platoon typically gift the exiting Recon Marine with a paddle, it turns into a party of course. Our officers are rotated in every two years and the NCOs also gift our officers with a paddle. I am not sure if we are the only ones that gift paddles...I would imagine any amphibious unit could also gift with a paddle. Some of them are paddles are plain, while others are quite extravagant...the knots intricate, complicated, and detailed.

Our heritage runs deep, for a great read:
http://www.iimef.marines.mil/News/NewsArticle/tabid/472/Article/529354/reconnaissance-paddle-has-deep-history-with-recon-marines.aspx

Reconnaissance Paddle has deep history with Recon Marines

The traditions of the paddle party as well as the reconnaissance paddle in general are a slight mystery among Marines who have not gone through reconnaissance training.During the 2010 Marine Corps

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 9 at 2014 7:15 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 19:15:58 -0500

I got a Plaque in the shape of the state of Nevada when i un pack it i will post a pic. Nothing cool like yours but it was nice to be noticed since when i left battalion after 5 years i did not even get a hand shake.