What are some commissioning traditions?

2021-06-02T20:54:45-04:00

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

2021-06-02T21:09:35-04:00

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

2021-06-03T01:13:19-04:00

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.