Graduation Events

[LFCFan]

Quick question: my grandmother is 86 years old, and my college graduation was a serious struggle for her a few years ago. Much to her disappointment, we didn't take her to my brother's USAFA graduation this past summer.

How much effort do all the events surrounding OCS graduation entail for the family members? Do they just show up to "hi-moms" and the commissioning ceremony the next day, or is it more like a college/academy graduation where there are lots of things going on all day such as, parades, showing them your room, etc, that would be a lot for her to handle? I know that none of you know her or her limits, but any input would be helpful. I know it is probably too much for her, but thought I'd ask in case it is relatively low key and she could make it.

Also, do we commission individually (such that a family member can swear us in) or do we do it as a group?

 

[MIDNJAC]

I bet if she cared enough to get upset about not making your bro's graduation/commissioning, then she has it in her to make it to yours regardless of the festivities involved. Just sayin. As a guy who was really close with his grandma growing up (she was my daycare as a kid since both my parents were full time professionals), I wish more than most things that she could have been at mine. Unfortunately she passed a number of years beforehand. I think it would be worth the investment of time/money/pain for the both of you if it is possible.

 

[Renegade One]

...do we commission individually (such that a family member can swear us in) or do we do it as a group?

For several times in your life,there are "many milestones" at which family members are invited and appreciated:
1. Recruit Training Graduation: Big deal.
2. Commissioning Ceremonies: Same…maybe bigger for you.
3. Winging Ceremonies: Big in the Naval Aviation. Expect it's the same for other services, but no personal experience.
4. Assumption and/or turnover of Command (at any rank).
5. The day you say goodbye to all of that…your Retirement Ceremony.

Here's my $.02: NEVER pass up ANY OPPORTUNITY to have your Grandmother participate and "lay a loving hand" on you. Be happy for every one that she can make…remember her at the others.

 

[LFCFan]

Here's my $.02: NEVER pass up ANY OPPORTUNITY to have your Grandmother participate and "lay a loving hand" on you. Be happy for every one that she can make…remember her at the others.

The thing is that it really isn't up to me. I know my family will look at her history: ill after my graduation, ill after my dad remarried, etc, and say that it is just too much. She gets worn down from multi-day events and gets sick. I come from a big military family (hence the question about who actually commissions me) so the importance of this is well understood. I'll try to push for her to come, I just need to know to help my argument for her coming is if this is just a ceremony and a dinner or if it is a full blown affair more akin to an academy or college graduation.

 

[Gatordev]

I don't know how OCS works, but speaking from a general "rules" point of view... Any commissioned officer (retired or serving) can commission you. Uncle Bob who likes to watch the Wings Channel doesn't count. How that actually goes down at OCS is beyond my knowledge, though from what I've seen (years ago) at Pensacola, everyone does their thing as a group and then I think you can do it separately with your person of choice.

FWIW, ROTC was different in that if you had someone to swear you in, you'd do it individually. While I would have loved to have my dad swear me in (resigned as a JG), he wasn't "legal" so I had my civilian CFI do it, who was a retired AF Colonel. But it's a much smaller group, so there's time/opportunity to do that kind of stuff.

 

[Renegade One]

The thing is that it really isn't up to me. I know my family will look at her history: ill after my graduation, ill after my dad remarried, etc, and say that it is just too much. She gets worn down from multi-day events and gets sick. I come from a big military family (hence the question about who actually commissions me) so the importance of this is well understood. I'll try to push for her to come, I just need to know to help my argument for her coming is if this is just a ceremony and a dinner or if it is a full blown affair more akin to an academy or college graduation.

Do you think your Grandmother gives two $#its about "the magnificence" of the event venue? If you're hoping to "save her for the next bigger event"…you may lose the opportunity…like, FOREVER.

Don't wanna be "Captain Bringdown"…but please give your Grandmother her flowers "while she's alive". Make sense?

 

[LFCFan]

Do you think your Grandmother gives two $#its about "the magnificence" of the event venue? If you're hoping to "save her for the next bigger event"…you may lose the opportunity…like, FOREVER.

Don't wanna be "Captain Bringdown"…but please give your Grandmother her flowers "while she's alive". Make sense?

Understood, we're on the same side here. The folks who will need persuading are my parents, not her (she will want to come).

I don't know how OCS works, but speaking from a general "rules" point of view... Any commissioned officer (retired or serving) can commission you.

My dad is a retired officer, swore in my brother. I'm glad the rules permit it in general, I was just wondering if I should remind him to make sure to get his blues cleaned if the events at OCS permit individual swearing-ins.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I hope your Grandmother is able to make it to your ceremony because if she was disappointed at not making your brothers graduation to me that says she must be quite proud of her grandchildren, this isn't the case for all.

R1 is quite right, these are events many not in the military don't understand, I have told guys that have worked for me that when they make Chief if they want me to come to their pinning I will be there, I have told guys I have sent to OCS if they want me to attend any of their events to let me know and I be there for them.

 

[LET73]

Quick question: my grandmother is 86 years old, and my college graduation was a serious struggle for her a few years ago. Much to her disappointment, we didn't take her to my brother's USAFA graduation this past summer.

How much effort do all the events surrounding OCS graduation entail for the family members? Do they just show up to "hi-moms" and the commissioning ceremony the next day, or is it more like a college/academy graduation where there are lots of things going on all day such as, parades, showing them your room, etc, that would be a lot for her to handle? I know that none of you know her or her limits, but any input would be helpful. I know it is probably too much for her, but thought I'd ask in case it is relatively low key and she could make it.

Also, do we commission individually (such that a family member can swear us in) or do we do it as a group?

It's not an all-day event. There's a run, a breakfast, parade, then the commissioning ceremony and first salutes. It wraps up before lunch. That was in Pensacola, but I can't imagine it's that much different in Newport.

If I remember correctly, a few people in my class had family members swear them in. They did that beforehand, then joined the rest of us for the main ceremony. Same for first salutes.

 

[LFCFan]

It's not an all-day event. There's a run, a breakfast, parade, then the commissioning ceremony and first salutes. It wraps up before lunch. That was in Pensacola, but I can't imagine it's that much different in Newport.

If I remember correctly, a few people in my class had family members swear them in. They did that beforehand, then joined the rest of us for the main ceremony. Same for first salutes.

Great, thanks!

 

[Renegade One]

... these are events many not in the military don't understand, I have told guys that have worked for me that when they make Chief if they want me to come to their pinning I will be there, I have told guys I have sent to OCS if they want me to attend any of their events to let me know and I be there for them.

This. You're one of the good guys, NOR…