My son has asked me to administer his Commissioning Oath next month, which I'm qualified to do as a former commissioned officer (long ago). Nowadays, in my day job, I'm a judge with the federal government and of course administer oaths every day. Should I wear my robe for this occasion?
Administering Commissioning Oath - Wear Judicial Robe or Not?
- Thread starter franknd
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Does your officer uniform still fit?
Definitely wear your black robe. Your son's oath will require him to support and defend the Constitution. Your oath, in large part, requires you to faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon you under the Constitution. Your black robe is, in fact, the traditional "uniform" worn by the very select few whose sacrosanct station in American civil life is is to ensure our Constitution is not only abided by, but sometimes requires those who wear it to interpret it. Your former military service undoubtedly contributed significantly to the honor of donning the robe. Si vis pacem, para bellum..
No, and long gone anyway.
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I think you should wear the robe. It'll make for some cool pics.
Side bar: see what I did there I was in federal court two summers in a row. Jury summons. First time was the first grand jury picked after the incumbent jury spent twice as long empaneled due to COVID. The January 6th trials loomed in the offing and a colleague said, "There's no way they'll pick you." He was correct. The next summer was a case involving a woman suing her employer for something. When the judge asked it anyone had a reason they couldn't serve, I told His Honor I was employed by the same entity. He asked if I thought that would have an impact on being impartial. I stammered and stuttered and he said, "I'll take that as a YES."
I have wanted to serve on a jury for a long time. A few years ago I got summoned for district court. I took every Monday off for a month and never got called. Very disappointing.
Side bar: see what I did there I was in federal court two summers in a row. Jury summons. First time was the first grand jury picked after the incumbent jury spent twice as long empaneled due to COVID. The January 6th trials loomed in the offing and a colleague said, "There's no way they'll pick you." He was correct. The next summer was a case involving a woman suing her employer for something. When the judge asked it anyone had a reason they couldn't serve, I told His Honor I was employed by the same entity. He asked if I thought that would have an impact on being impartial. I stammered and stuttered and he said, "I'll take that as a YES."
I have wanted to serve on a jury for a long time. A few years ago I got summoned for district court. I took every Monday off for a month and never got called. Very disappointing.
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I vote robe. These are purely ceremonial, photo op oaths, so creativity and flair are not monitored.
Extra points if you wear that black flat cap headgear worn by British judges when they pass a death sentence. I won’t ask for the wig.
Extra points if you wear that black flat cap headgear worn by British judges when they pass a death sentence. I won’t ask for the wig.
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Different opinion here I guess. I would bring it and let it be a game time decision of your son. He may prefer to blend in more than a judicial robe would bring attention to you both.
It’s a quick event either way. And no one will care. I think both of my guys wouldn’t care either way. But I would let them choose.
It’s a quick event either way. And no one will care. I think both of my guys wouldn’t care either way. But I would let them choose.