Presiding over Reenlisment

[Afterburner76]

I was asked to preside over my former Master Chief's final reenlistment (he's up at 30!). Wanted to get some advice on protocol from the experienced O-gangers here. I'm an Ensign and haven't been privy to such an honor yet. How does this whole thing work? Should I have a speech prepared, or some off the cuff words, etc? Are there any special customs I might not know about? He said it's going to be an informal ceremony at his command HQ. Any other thoughts you might share?

Thanks in advance!

 

[snake020]

I've done a few re-enlistments, most of them low key, but for the ones with a group it's nice to have some off the cuff remarks. I'd save a full speech for presiding over a retirement, but then again I've never been asked to do a reenlistment for a Master Chief going into his final term, so if I'm wrong someone here will set the record straight.

If you are doing the actual reenlistment, do yourself a favor and memorize the reenlistment oath as you'll probably use it on quite a few occasions.

 

[Afterburner76]

This is the whole thing, right?

""I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD."

 

[BigIron]

Usually the event flows as such: Short opening remarks by you, grateful etc to do this, yada yada yada. Then discharge member. Then call everyone to attention for re-enlistment. You have member raise right hand and repeat the oath. I suggest you memorize, otherwise you might look corny reading from a sheet with your hand raised. Swear the member back in. Member is then presented with benefits booklets, goodies. All then eat cake and then carry out the POD. Make sure you talk to the NC about your squadron's policies.

 

[Red_]

While I agree that memorizing the oath is better, make sure you have a copy of it near by just in case. You may look corny reading it off a sheet of paper, but you'll look even worse if you forget and have to be prompted from the audience or the person you're reenlisting.

 

[Gatordev]

All good posts. I'd agree, memorize, but back yourself up. My personal extra bit was to let the guy say something, if he wanted, while he was discharged. Usually it's just a, "No, I'm good...let's get this over with so I can get my check and the rest of the day off."

 

[joboy_2.0]

While I agree that memorizing the oath is better, make sure you have a copy of it near by just in case. You may look corny reading it off a sheet of paper, but you'll look even worse if you forget and have to be prompted from the audience or the person you're reenlisting.

Ya, I seem to recall a thread with pictures of my swearing in WAAAY back and everyone was sh!tting on my recruiter for reading the oath. I think it would probably be better to get it right than to "memorize" it and screw it up.

 

[Brett327]

I like to tell a little story about the guy, where he came from, what he's done in the Navy, etc. It's most effective if you do a little research on the guy without him knowing (service records are a great source for info like that). While it may not have as big an impact on a Master Chief, it can really make one of the more junior Es day when the Officer he has asked to reenlist him has gone out of his way to learn a little bit about the person. When I was a DIVO, I knew the guy's family (parents) were in the local area, so I gave them a call and let them know what I was up to. They were great about providing some really touching anecdotes about his life and it made for a really nice experience. Reenlistments can be corny and full of pro-forma, but they don't have to be. It's a rite of passage (for both of you), especially for the first one.

Brett

 

[HeyJoe]

I like to tell a little story about the guy, where he came from, what he's done in the Navy, etc. It's most effective if you do a little research on the guy without him knowing (service records are a great source for info like that). While it may not have as big an impact on a Master Chief, it can really make one of the more junior Es day when the Officer he has asked to reenlist him has gone out of his way to learn a little bit about the person. When I was a DIVO, I knew the guy's family (parents) were in the local area, so I gave them a call and let them know what I was up to. They were great about providing some really touching anecdotes about his life and it made for a really nice experience. Reenlistments can be corny and full of pro-forma, but they don't have to be. It's a rite of passage (for both of you), especially for the first one.

Brett

^^^What he said^^^

...and find out who he is inviting and include something for them (besides the obligatory cake) especially if kids are attending. If he's an E-9, there has to be a reason why he selected to you. If you don't know why, you ought to ask and I suggest that you comment on how flattered you were to be asked. Don't be afraid to comment on how much he knows about Navy, etc. and how little you know due to your relative few years of experience.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

This is the whole thing, right?

""I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; AND THAT I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE ORDERS OF THE OFFICERS APPOINTED OVER ME, ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS AND THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. SO HELP ME GOD."

No, this is not correct.

 

[snake020]

No, this is not correct.

I (state your name)

 

[Brett327]

No, this is not correct.

I guess there's the somewhat contentious, "I swear that I am fully aware, and fully understand the conditions under which I am enlisting," or words to that effect. IMO, this ruins the crescendo of "So help me God," which I believe ought to be the correct terminator for the oath. However you look at it, the legally binding instrument of reenlistment is the paper contract you sign, so the exact verbiage of the oath is largely ceremonial, and ought to be tailored to the desires and wants of the participants IAW Naval customs and tradition.

Brett

 

[Afterburner76]

^^^What he said^^^

...and find out who he is inviting and include something for them (besides the obligatory cake) especially if kids are attending. If he's an E-9, there has to be a reason why he selected to you. If you don't know why, you ought to ask and I suggest that you comment on how flattered you were to be asked. Don't be afraid to comment on how much he knows about Navy, etc. and how little you know due to your relative few years of experience.

I don't think anyone other than a few of his command colleauges (CO, XO, etc) will be in attendence. He said it will be pretty informal.

As for being flattered and honored... words can hardly describe. He was my 1st COB back in the sub days, and we both went down the aviation road. I happened to be visiting Lemoore next week for the 'fuge, and he is a CMC of the Wing up there. We still keep in touch (for many of the young sailors aboard, we aspired to be like him. He was always very highly regarded and looked up to). He asked me to reenlist him for the last time. I just want to make sure I do it well, with class, and with confidence.
Thanks for all you help!

So... is that (the earlier post) the correct verbage for the oath or not? Anyone have a copy?

 

[robav8r]

So... is that (the earlier post) the correct verbage for the oath or not? Anyone have a copy?

If you want the exact verbage, ask one of your command PN/YN's for the EXACT phrasology. Then memorize it completely. Then practice with your self in the mirror or with a friend. A pocket-sized copy to have on-hand as an emergency back-up is a good plan too. But, a professional officer will always have the oath memorized and recite it flawlessly.

Also, it's OK to have some "cheat notes" on the Master Chiefs career to date (duty assignments, date originally enlisted, etc). Keep it light and don't forget to acknowledge the senior members and personal guest of the Master Chief.

Example: "Good morning/afternoon everyone, I'd like to welcome everyone to Master Blasters last reenlistment ceremony in the Navy. Skipper, XO thanks for coming, Mrs Master Blaster, welcome to the command, etc. As some of you may or may not know, Master Blaster has been in the Navy longer than I have been alive. I am honored to be his reeenlisting offcier and can only hope to have as successful a career as Master Blaster. Before we reenlist him though, we have to discharge him. (Read discharge certificate). Well Master Chief, you are now out of the Navy. Do you have anything you'd like to say? He will pontificate for a few minutes and then it will be time to reeenlist him. If there are no further comments, "Attention to Reenlistment." I state your name . . .

You get the idea. Be professional, keep it light and have fun with it. Lastly, it goes without saying that your demeanor and uniform appearance are on display for everyone to see that day. I'm just sayin' . . .

 

[Recovering LSO]

Re enlisting your Sailors is one of the most important and rewarding things you can do as a JO. I was/am always honored when a Sailor asks me to reenlist him. MEMORIZE the oath. Period. Practice it, rehearse it, learn it, juggle tennis balls while practicing - whatever you need to do.