Commissioning question

T

the tone

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May 27, 2012
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For the commissioning ceremony, who gets to choose the person that handles that for the cadets? If we choose to have a retired AF officer do that, and they live out of town, would we be expected to pay the travel expenses to USAFA?
 
the tone said:
For the commissioning ceremony, who gets to choose the person that handles that for the cadets? If we choose to have a retired AF officer do that, and they live out of town, would we be expected to pay the travel expenses to USAFA?
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Yes. If you want your grandfather or aunt or someone else to do your commissioning, that's your responsibility. If you can't get someone there, then your AOC or anyone else can do it for you. E.g. One of your commissioned teachers. Anyone coming from out of town is your cost and responsibility.
 
Many feel it is an honor to commission someone.

Bullet commissioned a cadet in 2010. We live in VA. There was no question that he was going to do it. Cost was not part of the equation. It was never approached or discussed. It was on our dime. Airfare, hotel and rental car. We had no 2nd thoughts about the cost we were going to incur.

JMPO, don't assume they expect you to pay the costs or be their host for the entire time. Retired officers are honored to just be asked. If they can't afford it, they I'll find a way to politely state that they can't do it.

Caveat. This cadet, now an O3 is someone we lovingly call our adopted son. Don't ask for the sake of asking a retired member. It is a once in a lifetime moment.the person that administers the oath understands that too.
~ Just saying if you are not incredibly close to them, than maybe you should offer at least the hotel bill. However, if you are close to them, than I don't see the need to pay. Are you paying for cousin Brittany and Aunt Susie to fly out? Probably not, because they are family and want to be there to rejoice in the day! That is how we saw it when Bullet was asked. It was we are as improtant to him as he is to us.
 
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Pima makes a good point. When I said your responsibility, I meant vs the academy. My son didn't pay for any of our relatives to come out from New Jersey for his graduation. There were a couple that were strapped for money so I chose to pay for everyone's hotel bill. But again, that was my choice. Point is, the academy doesn't have anything to do with who you ask or how they get there.
 
The Oath of Commissioning can generally only be administered by commissioned officers, active, retired, Reserve, Guard. Service doesn't matter. As always, the current service regulations for your particular case should be consulted.


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skismuggs said:
does he/she have to be an officer? retired enlisted, ok?
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It was a sad moment when I found out my retired, 3 tours Vietnam Combat Veteran retired dad could not administer the Oath when I got my commission. :frown: But I made sure I got my first salute from him and the silver dollar. I think it was one of his proudest moments.:thumb:
 
EagleDriver said:
It was a sad moment when I found out my retired, 3 tours Vietnam Combat Veteran retired dad could not administer the Oath when I got my commission. :frown: But I made sure I got my first salute from him and the silver dollar. I think it was one of his proudest moments.:thumb:
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thanks for the replies. i guess "first salute and silver dollar" will have to do.
 
My sons had their sponsor dad administer it, and we were so proud and happy for them all!

Plus, The Colonel tried to get both of them to mess up, so it was another contest!

Great moments...
 
A few years back, a knew a cadet getting commissioned at the academy and he and 3 other cadet friends graduating, didn't really have anyone they knew to commission them. So their AOC commissioned one of them, and each of them commissioned each other. There's also some who were close with someone in their squadron from the previous year. They cam back for the graduation and commissioned the cadet who was in their squadron the year before.
 
I went back and commissioned a 2012 cadet who asked me to commission him. His family nor him offered to pay for anything and I didn't mind since it was an honor to be asked.
 
Hornet. Did you stay for the graduation? Normally not done, but I was quite impressed that president Obama actually shook the hand of every graduate. Normally after shaking the first 100, they have more than one presenter. I give kudos to him for sticking it out and shaking all 1000+.
 
We have a huge wall here at home that we call our "So, what did YOUR kid do today?" wall which equates to an "I love Me" wall... for our kids.

We have the pics of both our boys shaking hands with POTUS! Very cool!
 
Christcorp said:
Hornet. Did you stay for the graduation? Normally not done, but I was quite impressed that president Obama actually shook the hand of every graduate. Normally after shaking the first 100, they have more than one presenter. I give kudos to him for sticking it out and shaking all 1000+.
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I did watch graduation. I enjoyed it and had a great time!
 
Our kids' sponsor dad came and watched the grad, but mom was working and missed sitting in the blazing sun for three hours.
 
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