Photographing a Navy Retirement ceremony gives me all the feels with its long-standing traditions. Every military ceremony is different and every branch does it differently. But all ceremonies urge us to stop and reflect on the importance and significance of the occassion.
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Navy Retirement Ceremony Traditions
Navy ceremonies in general have some great traditions have lasted centuries. A ship’s bell calls the attention of ceremony guests. The official party is piped in with a ceremonial whistle. Sideboys line the (usually) red carpet where the official party enters.
Colors are posted, a chaplain gives an invocation, and a master of ceremonies leads the event. A retiring officer presents the retiree with an award and a guest speaker will share a history of the retiree’s career and accomplishments. Sometimes there is a slideshow to accompany that history which is always fun!
An optional tradition at any military retirement ceremony is the presentation of Old Glory. Its a symbolic passing of a folded flag from one rank to another until it reaches its final rank: the retiree. As the flag is passed from one rank to another, a narrator reads a first hand account of the significant battles Old Glory has withstood. Its a solemn and tear-jerking presentation.
Navy Retirement Ceremony Checklist
There are several moving parts to a Navy retirement ceremony. Several people are needed to participate and execute even a basic retirement ceremony. Space should be secured, refreshments and even gifts to everyone giving their time to make it happen.
The US Naval Academy provides a reliable checklist for the ceremonies they host including:
Three Months Out from Retirement ceremony:
- Reserve a Location for your Retirement Ceremony
- Reserve a Location for your Retirement Reception, if different
- Identify a Sponsor/Action Officer, to help you with your retirement ceremony planning, preferably someone at your current command that you communicate with often and easily.
- Draft Award – at least 3 months in advance.
- Schedule Band.
- Identify Sideboys.
- Secure a Color Guard.
- Identify a Boatswain’s Mate to Pipe/Bell Ringer.
- Identify a Chaplain.
- Draft script for Retirement.
- Design, Draft, and Order Ceremony Program.
- Determine Uniform/Dress for Official Party.
- Determine Uniform/Dress for Guests.
- Identify a Master of Ceremony
- Identify a Guest Speaker
- Secure Catering for the Reception.
- Make BOQ Reservation, if out of town or for out of town guests.
Two months out from ceremony:
- Certificates of Appreciation for spouse and children.
- Retirement and Family Certificates
- Identify Ushers and/or Escorts to direct VIPs and Guests from the parking location to the Retirement ceremony, and then to the Reception.
- Identify Personnel for Access Assistance A designated military representative must be present at the gate (if ceremony is on an installation)
- Identify Ushers for the ceremony itself for seating.
- Mail Invitations.
- Request a flag
One month from ceremony date:
- Contact the venue with the following information:
- Number of guests in attendance
- Number of members in the official party
- Audio, bullets + carpet, and podiums are part of the standard setup.
- Order Flowers or appropriate gifts for spouse, children and other family members.
- Order/Make a Shadow box (if desired)
What to Wear to a Navy Retirement
A Navy Retirement Ceremony is a formal event in the Navy – and all branches. Service members will wear whatever dress uniform the retiree has chosen, usually dress whites.
Civilians attending a Navy Retirement Ceremony should wear whatever is listed on the invitation, usually business attire.
- Business appropriate slacks or dresses
- Collared button ups
- Jacket or sports coat
- No flip flops
- No jeans
Navy Retirement Ceremony Photography
This particular Navy Ceremony took place at aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, VA. It was an indoor ceremony with the presentation of Old Glory and refreshments in the same area. A small party followed at Pleasure House Brewing.
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I'm a USMC spouse, South Carolina native, recovering homeschool mama of a 4 boy circus. They've taught me the most important facet of family photography: KEEP IT FUN!
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