Class of 2022 - Commissioning is Friday May 27, 2022

Greetings,
Question about official oath of office and first salute. My DD graduated from USAFA a couple of years back and they had separate oath of office and first salute places and times for the different Squadrons. This was all done before graduation and was orchestrated very nicely for family to do the pinning and so onā€¦ and the Cadets could choose their Commissioning Officer.

DS graduating USNA 22ā€™, so far it does not appear they do any oath of office officially aside from doing it as a graduating group. My DD was hoping to administer her brothers oath of office.

Thanks in advance for any insight on this process.

Peace
 
ussaX2 said:
Greetings,
Question about official oath of office and first salute. My DD graduated from USAFA a couple of years back and they had separate oath of office and first salute places and times for the different Squadrons. This was all done before graduation and was orchestrated very nicely for family to do the pinning and so onā€¦ and the Cadets could choose their Commissioning Officer.

DS graduating USNA 22ā€™, so far it does not appear they do any oath of office officially aside from doing it as a graduating group. My DD was hoping to administer her brothers oath of office.

Thanks in advance for any insight on this process.

Peace
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The Navy, true to its culture, allows people to ā€œsteam independently,ā€ figure out a plan, and make it happen with no additional guidance or official direction, at the discretion of the officer in charge, in this case, your firstie-almost-Ensign-2nd LT. The group oath is their last official act as midshipmen, and is the official one, done to create unity and the official first step in their officer career. Anything private comes after that.

I have seen in past USNA guidance some comments that certain locations are available for private oaths after the graduation event, but it is truly anywhere. Our sponsor mids have chosen a Navy sailboat (offshore sailing team member), Trident Point light, John Paul Jonesā€™ crypt, etc.

After covers are thrown, rendezvous at a designated meeting place wherever you want, for any private oath of office, which is a photo op at this point, but a special one. On the stadium field in front of a designated battle sign (they go all the way around the stadium at ground level), in front of the Blue Angels jet just outside the Stadium gates, or go back over to the Yard and do it on Chapel steps, in Memorial Hall, front of sub monument or Bill the Goat, at the sea wall, wherever the new officer wants it to happen. The key is to have a plan and perhaps ā€œGroup Meā€ on your phone!

And - if you parked in the Stadium lot, it takes a loooooong time for traffic to clear.

I have done it many times, as has DH, for sponsor family, usually at a Stadium site. Task your firstie to organize this.

First salutes tend to be organized by the firstie with whomever junior to them (often a mid they have mentored in some way) they have coordinated in advance. If they are smart, they have a few extra silver dollars in their pocket, in case someone else (unplanned) finds them first in the mob. Again, put your soon-to-be JO in charge. If you want a photo of this, you know what I am going to say, assign an agile family member to sprint to your new gradā€™s side.

Navy Ensigns get Ensign hard shoulder boards put on. Marine 2nd Lieutenants get a butter bar pinned on. Officer covers, of course.
 
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Somone asked me if their Mid, who was asked to do a first salute, is to gift the new Ensign/2nd Lieutenant? They are a current plebe.
 
justdoit19 said:
Somone asked me if their Mid, who was asked to do a first salute, is to gift the new Ensign/2nd Lieutenant? They are a current plebe.
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No gifts from juniors (in rank) to seniors. The new officer will do a handshake with a silver dollar for the new 3/c.
 
Capt MJ said:
No gifts from juniors (in rank) to seniors. The new officer will do a handshake with a silver dollar for the new 3/c.
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good to know my plebe has been asked to be the first salute to a new ensign/2nd lieutenant - I was wondering about a gift too!!!
 
USNAhopeful2025 said:
good to know my plebe has been asked to be the first salute to a new ensign/2nd lieutenant - I was wondering about a gift too!!!
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Not to say it doesnā€™t happen, out of a sincere desire to celebrate and not being up to speed yet on all ethics regulations in the service, but itā€™s not expected of a junior, much less a gift of any cost.

Now, a brief letter or note, nothing fancy but heartfelt, to the graduating mid that expresses appreciation for the honor of being asked to render the first salute, for the example set, for mentoring/advising/coaching, for anything that graduating mid did to help the junior on their path - that would be priceless.

I still have notes, cards and letters written written to me over the years. Knowing that something I did or said, small and inconsequential in my mind, had a significant impact on someone - well, priceless.
 
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Capt MJ said:
The Navy, true to its culture, allows people to ā€œsteam independently,ā€ figure out a plan, and make it happen with no additional guidance or official direction, at the discretion of the officer in charge, in this case, your firstie-almost-Ensign-2nd LT. The group oath is their last official act as midshipmen, and is the official one, done to create unity and the official first step in their officer career. Anything private comes after that.

I have seen in past USNA guidance some comments that certain locations are available for private oaths after the graduation event, but it is truly anywhere. Our sponsor mids have chosen a Navy sailboat (offshore sailing team member), Trident Point light, John Paul Jonesā€™ crypt, etc.

After covers are thrown, rendezvous at a designated meeting place wherever you want, for any private oath of office, which is a photo op at this point, but a special one. On the stadium field in front of a designated battle sign (they go all the way around the stadium at ground level), in front of the Blue Angels jet just outside the Stadium gates, or go back over to the Yard and do it on Chapel steps, in Memorial Hall, front of sub monument or Bill the Goat, at the sea wall, wherever the new officer wants it to happen. The key is to have a plan and perhaps ā€œGroup Meā€ on your phone!

And - if you parked in the Stadium lot, it takes a loooooong time for traffic to clear.

I have done it many times, as has DH, for sponsor family, usually at a Stadium site. Task your firstie to organize this.
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When I graduated, my family moved up onto the stage in front of the USNA seal for the ceremony where I re-enlisted my father.
When my son graduated, I think that I swore him in on one of the apron/balconies overlooking the stadium.
 
ktnatalk said:
2018 I gave DD1 her first salute and she then re-enlisted me for my last 4 years. We did it on the 50 yard line.

2022 I will be giving DD2 her first salute, location TBD. I will be retiring after serving over 30 years in a few months. Time to go!

Hi @Capt MJ @usnabgo08 @Happy2BaNavyMom and many more old friendsā€¦
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Fair winds, Master Chief! You have done well.
 
It turns out that I'm not as ready for this as I thought. I have questions for people who have gone to this thing before!

1. They say you can't bring in coolers or bottles. Does that preclude a platypus (water "bags" we use when hiking)? I was thinking of filling them when I get inside. I understand not wanting people to have bottles that they freely can toss at The President, but I'm bringing my in-laws with me (in their 80's) and we're going to need a lot of water sitting in that sun for hours. Surely it's not just a money-making proposition (buy your drinks at the concession stand), right?

2. Can I go out of the stadium (to the parking lot) after I'm in and come back, or is it a one-time deal because POTUS and a lot of other bigwigs will be there?

3. They say that parents get a parking pass for parking at the stadium. My DS knows nothing about this. Where does one get that pass? I would love to get there when the gates open and park in the stadium lot. I have been to commissioning week functions in the past, but never at the stadium.
 
Have not ā€˜been there done thatā€™ but here is what Iā€™ve garnered from the big parent pages.

No leaving and coming back.

Parking pass for one car for the week. Ticket is included in their packet of tickets they have yet to receive (for Supes reception, ball, graduation). To be distributed to them company level.

Water bottle seems to be a hot topic. Clear and empty seems to be the best bet. Maybe you could call the stadium and inquire? What Iā€™ve been told is itā€™s stadium rulesā€¦and every game we went to we took in an empty clear disposable water bottle and never had a problem. One time it was even full.

Never thought about it as a presidential request so idk about that. We are bringing the tossable ones.

If you put those water bladders on you person, would they even know?
 
If water isn't allowed to be brought into the stadium, it will definitely be available for sale. The last thing USNA wants on a hot day is for families and friends to be collapsing from heat exhaustion. Profits benefit USNA in some way, so the splurge for a few bottles won't break the bank.

I suppose one could go out and come back, in, but it would require standing in line all over again to re-enter which likely would cause you to miss the ceremony. It's not like they're going to give you a sticker to get back in without going through the line. Security for POTUS is always more stringent, so realistically, it's not possible to go back and forth.

DO ARRIVE EARLY. And I mean early. Also, do your best to limit the stuff you're bringing with you. Ask yourself, do I really need this for the next 2 hours? Biggies are usually a hat, camera / phone, sunglasses (put on sunscreen before you enter the stadium), binoculars, small toiletries, car keys, wallet and water (if permitted). Other stuff just slows you down at security -- maybe not a big deal for you but multiply the extra time for you by the time for the thousand people ahead of you and behind you in line . . . you get the picture.
 
Capt MJ said:
Not to say it doesnā€™t happen, out of a sincere desire to celebrate and not being up to speed yet on all ethics regulations in the service, but itā€™s not expected of a junior, much less a gift of any cost.

Now, a brief letter or note, nothing fancy but heartfelt, to the graduating mid that expresses appreciation for the honor of being asked to render the first salute, for the example set, for mentoring/advising/coaching, for anything that graduating mid did to help the junior on their path - that would be priceless.

I still have notes, cards and letters written written to me over the years. Knowing that something I did or said, small and inconsequential in my mind, had a significant impact on someone - well, priceless.
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my midshipman came home for a couple of days and did go buy a card to give to her ensign. he has had a big impact on her so she felt like a congratulations and thank you card would be appropriate.
 
Thinking of taking my plebe-to-be and his baby brother down on the 25th to watch the Blue Angels. We used to always just go over to the community of Bay Ridge to watch. But that was 30 years ago ........

Son said he wanted to drop off his paperwork from his PTR as well. Had to inform him that perhaps trying to doing something like that during commissioning week may not be the best strategic approach. ;)
 
What a wonderful change in all the Firsties this week. We have been involved in the lives of several c/o 2022 inmates during their 4 years here and have never seen them so relaxed and happy. It is a great thing to experience.

Got some new apartment tours and I must say That they are nicer than my first housing situation when I was their age. Hoo boy.
One thing really threw me for a loop. Have you ever seen an inflatable couch?
I have!
 
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THParent said:
One thing really threw me for a loop. Have you ever seen an inflatable couch?
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I had one and really liked it when I had a newly rented house and family and household goods were still at the old house. The couch was great and held up for over a month until family came for a weekend visit and sons #1 and #2 (now Chief Eng of an SSBN) destroyed it within their first 10 minutes of use.
 
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