NBVC NOTICE 5060

Subj: COMMISSIONING CEREMONY FOR AC1 XXXX X. XXXXXXXXXX, U. S. Navy

Encl: (1) Schedule of Events

(2) Ceremony Program

1. Purpose. To promulgate the schedule of events (enclosure(1)), assign specific responsibilities, coordinate details and provide Ceremony Program (enclosure(2)) for subject commissioning ceremony.

2. Background. AC1 XXXXXXXXXX will be commissioned to the rank of CWO2 in a a ceremony to be held at 1000 on Friday, 30 November 2007 at the NAVAL AIR Reserve Building onboard NBVC Point Mugu in the mini-theatre (room 260).

3. Information. Specific duties and responsibilities are assigned as follows:

1. Master of Ceremonies: ACC XXXXXXXXXXX.

2. Performing Units, Training Support Department: Provide Color Guard.

3. Invocation/Benediction: Pastor XXX XXXXXX, Senior Pastor Camarillo First Southern Baptist.

4. Presiding Officer: LCDR XXXXXXX, Air Operations Officer Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu.

5. First Salute: SFC XXXX XXXXXXX (U.S. Army).

6. National Anthem: AT2 XXX XXXXX.

7. Uniform:

1. Participants - Service Dress Blues with cover.

2. Military Guests - Khaki or Service equivalent for E-7 and above and utilities or service equivelant for E-6 and below.

3. Civilian Guests - Appropriate civilian attire

X.X. XXXXXXX

Distribution:

NBVC ACSOs/IPDs

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday

30 November 2007

TIME EVENT

0930 Participants in place and rehersals

0955 Guests in place and seated

1000 Ceremony commences

1045 Ceremony concludes

1100 Reception immediately following

CEREMONY PROGRAM

M/C “Good afternoon ladies and gentleman. On behalf of Captain XXXX XXXXXX, Commanding Officer, Naval Base Ventura County, I welcome you to the commissioning ceremony for Air Traffic Controller First Class XXXX XXXXXXXXXX”

M/C “Will the guests please rise for the singing of the

National Anthem.”

M/C “Color Guard, Parade the Colors”

M/C ”Retire the Colors.” (Pause)

M/C “Please remain standing. Pastor XXX XXXXXX of Camarillo First Southern Baptist will now give the invocation”

M/C “Thank you Pastor XXXXXX”

M/C “Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated.

M/C “Family, Friends, Shipmates – Good Morning welcome once again to the commissioning ceremony of Petty Officer XXXX XXXXXXXXXX. I extend a special welcome to Petty officer XXXXXXXXXX’s wife XXXXXXXX, daughter XXXXXXXX, son XXXXX, mother XXXXXX, father XXX, sister XXXXX, the XXXXXXXX and XXXX family and all family and friends”

M/C The commissioning ceremony you witness today is a reflection of the rich heritage of our Naval tradition. Custom has established that this ceremony be impressive – designed to strengthen the respect for dedicated service that is vital to any military organization.”

M/C “Today we gather to witness a transition – the commission of AC1 XXXXXXXXXX from the enlisted ranks to the officer ranks, a Chief Warrant Officer. Warrant Officers are a very unique part of the naval service, fulfilling a role no other commissioned officer can. Warrant officer’s have the wisdom and technical background to perform tasks that call for the “officer” rank and protocol to carry out, but require the enlisted spirit and experience to accomplish. The Warrant Officer provides our Navy with a vital and incalcuable form of leadership – an officer who has expertise and authority to direct the most difficult and exacting technical operations in a given occupational area.

.

This is the heart of a Navy mustang.

But Why a Mustang? Mustangs are wild animals. Although they can be tamed and saddle broken, mustangs can unexpectedly revert to old habits and need to be handled carefully. By the same token, since a mustang was formerly a wild and free animal, it may very well be wiser, more capable and have a better survival instinct than thoroughbreds. The mustang can take care of itself when things get tough, thriving on rough treatment, while the thoroughbred, having been pampered its whole life, can not.

You can easily see the parallel between the horses and naval officers. The term “Mustang” is used in a complimentary sense most of the time. A Warrant Officer is an officer by appearance and in the minds of the “top brass” an enlisted technician at heart. The creed of the Warrant Officer, upon receiving their commission is: “I did it the hard way… I earned it.”

M/C “AC1 XXXXXXXX and AC1 XXXXX please come forward.”

M/C “AC1 XXXXXXXX and AC1 XXXXX will now remove the First Class Petty Officer Chevrons.”

M/C “XXXXX XXXXXXXXXX front and center for presentation of Chevrons.”

M/C “LCDR XXXXXXX will now issue the officer’s oath to AC1 XXXXXXXXXX.”

(LCDR Recites Officer’s Oath)

M/C “Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX’s wife XXXXXXXX, daughter XXXXXXXX and son XXXXX will now place the CWO2 shoulderboards and the officer’s cover on Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX.”

(Family members return to seats)

M/C “Ladies and gentlemen, I present the newest Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Navy, CWO2 XXXX XXXXXXXXXX”

M/C “It is an honored tradition... a brand new silver dollar to the first enlisted servicemember who salutes him. The exact origin of the custom is arguable, but it probably began before the United States Armed Forces were organized. British regiments stationed in Colonial America brought with them a number of customs and that were retained by the newly formed American Armed Forces. One status symbol highly sought by newly commissioned British officers was to have a servant assigned to them. The servant was normally an enlisted man who was responsible for ensuring the officer’s kit, dress and field uniforms, and personal equipment were serviceable at all times. The enlisted man was also responsible for teaching the officer the ship’s history, tradition and customs. This custom continued to grow with the British military and newly formed American units. American Second Lieutenants in 1816 received a monthly base pay of $25, a $3 ration allowance, and $1 for an enlisted advisor. This advisor’s pay was later discontinued, but the responsibility for teaching the newly commissioned officer continued. The present day tradition of giving a silver dollar for the first salute is thought to have its roots in this relationship.”

M/C “Staff Seargant XXXXXXX, front and center.”

Staff Seargant XXXXXXX renders first salute.

Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX returns salute.

M/C “Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX, the floor is yours”

(CWO2 XXXXXXXXXX remarks)

M/C “Thank you Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX.”

M/C “Pastor XXXXXX will now deliver the benediction.”

(Pastor Benendiction)

M/C “Newly commissioned officers have traditionally held wetting down parties. The wetting down party was once quite a rough and tumble affair. It was the custom for the officer to wear his new uniform of stripes for the first time at the wetting down. The guests would then proceed to christen the uniform, the occupant and the commission with whatever liquid refreshments (paid for by the victim) was available. Over the years, however, Navy life has become calmer, the price of gold braid has sky rocketed and a literal christening is no longer condoned. Guests are invited to join Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX and his family for the wetting down immediately following the ceremony at Bldg. 355 hanger.”

M/C This concludes the ceremony. Please come forward to congratulate Chief Warrant Officer XXXXXXXXXX.”