When I was promoted to the lofty rank of Chief Warrant Officer-Two in the US Army....a formal ceremony was held in our Officers Mess Bar. That is the preferred venue for Warrant Officer Helicopter Pilot formal functions. The shiny new Bar was placed at the bottom of a steel Mess Water Pitcher, submerged in one shot of everything behind the Bar (pays to keep a very sharp eye on the guys filling the pitcher mind you). The Rule extant was...until that Pitcher got emptied you did not pin on the new Rank. It was two days before I could see and think well enough to be able to realize I was wearing it....as it was a very large Pitcher.
Fancy it wasn't....but being surrounded by your fellows...mine was in a combat unit in a combat area....made it very special. Being a Spectator at one did have its advantages.