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.
Table of Contents
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.
More Military Ceremony Photography
- Iwo Jima Memorial Hawaii MCBH, Kaneohe Pinning Ceremony
- Picture-Perfect Pinning: Klipper Golf Course’s 13th Hole in Hawaii
- Featured: I’m Possible Spousely Podcast
- 4 Options for Where To Do a Pinning Ceremony in Hawaii
- Easy Marine Corps Retirement Ceremony | USS Missouri Events
- Elite Military Ceremonies | USS Wisconsin Navy Retirement
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!
Alison's Process
contact Alison
