Do we recognise promotion in the RAF?
 

I've just returned (suitably imbibed) for a re-enlistment and promotion ceremony hosting by American colleagues. I used to be rather sniffy of these corny ceremonies but this one,like others I have attended recently, have changed my mind.

The re-enlistment ceremony was for a USN PO who had agreed to sign on for another 6 years. He swore allegiance to the senior officer present (a US Army Colonel) after some good-natured ribbing and praise to his wife and kids, who have followed him around the world. The second was a pinning-up ceremony for a USAF Major promoted to Lt Col. Again, a nice speech by the Col followed by-a presentation to his wife and kids (the latter beamed as they were promoted with the insignia before their dad) then the pinning up on the Lt Col, again with some really nice words of appreciation. I've also see a few medal ceremonies over the last couple of years - invited by US colleagues - and I have felt humbled to both be invited and to share in what is a big moment for the SP and the family.

In all my years, I have never attended any similar ceremony in the RAF; indeed, the only congrats I received was when I got to Wg Cdr and Stn Cdr Uxbridge (sigh!) sent me a nice note as I was part of his flock in MB. Similarly, apart from being given the latest jubilee medal by a visiting Maj Gen who was asked to bring the medals across, They've either arrived in The post or have been signed for in Gen Office. (Clearly, all round medals, of course!).


Although I'm still serving, I've not been with the mainstream RAF for a few years, but I suspect that little has changed. What do other pruners think? Should we make more of these events, or shall British stoicism reign?

I see your point. Having served with the USAF many years back, I was always rather taken by their ceremonies. It's as if acheivement really matters and those around you want to celebrate your success.

I couldn't really see us doing it in the RAF, though. I wouldn't have minded a couple of words of encouragement myself. Even a goodbye might have been nice!

My everlasting memory of the professionalism, respect and dignity with which members of HM Forces are treated is from when I wrote a slightly snotty memo to the (new) Sqn boss asking if I could expect a GW1 gong at anytime, as it was now some 12 months or more since the event. The Sqn clerk wrote back to me asking if "I was sure" I had in fact deployed on Op Granby! The said gong was eventually handed to me by the most junior of junior ranks in the Orderly Room while I was collecting my mail one day. It was a very moving occasion...

I had to be demoted 1 rank to get my own office, car parking space and command appointment! :eek:

GAF has a nice small ceremony for promotions: done in front of the sqn (or whatever assembled unit), the promotee is called up to the front, and the Stn Cdr and OC Flying Group tear off the old rank slides, replacing them with the new ones, accompanied by a fairly hefty pat on the shoulder.

Nothing over the top, but recognition in front of 'die Kamaraden' in any case.

WUH, I got a very nice letter from air officer when I was promoted to fg off a year early. I also got an equally good letter from the Staff College when I passed the ISS. I appreciated both letters, I am not sure I would have enjoyed a public award.

It is though an RAF thing as when I was in Ascension, SNOW, Senior Naval Officer Wideawake, had a change of command ceremony. The Naval personnel were paraded outside operations, the outgoing SNOW said a few words, the new SNOW then read out his orders, the men could see who was now in charge and the whole thing certainly seemed far more traditional than a few CoC lines in SROs and possibly a small thank you in SROs by the outgoing staish. It was all the more touching as the parade consisted of 3 PO and 2 2.5s.

E-Spy, you remind me, when the UK-NAEW Component was stood up with IOC a GAF One Star flew in and at a small ceremony presented the Force Command flag. Although I was only on the periphery of the Component all the aircrew on 8 managed to be elsewhere and it fell to me to accept the standard.

As for the Met. Office!

"I suppose I should congratulate you on your good fortune!"

I think he'd spent all night working that up to a suitably snide level.

And when I retired after 41 years and five promotions, a ****ty standard letter and an invitation to provide feedback on the organisation.

I had, I thought, been providing [mostly negative] feedback for 41 years!

Never mind, the lump sum and the monthly dole meant and means a lot more than ceremonies and praise.

Best leave things as they are, gives us all something to whinge about.

"Weren't you promoted a couple of years back?"

"Oh, yeah. Another beer?"

"Thanks, I'll have a Black Sheep. So what happened?"

"I got demoted."

"Blimey. You must have been really bad at your job."

"Oh, no, no, no...

"Right! Thanks for the beer."

:E

Recognition of one of your own achieving promotion should always be worth an occasion to remember. If you can't get that right you shouldn't be in Command yourself.

I'd very much like to see promotion occasions shared with one's family - after all, they also go through the 'Mill' with their military spouse and deserve recognition themselves for their sacrifices and support.

"Dear BEagle. Herewith your Kuwait Liberation Medal of the third degree, granted by the Amir of Kuwait. Please note that you may not wear it".

"Dear BEagle. Herewith your Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by His Majesty Fahad Bun Abdul Aziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Please note that you may not wear it".

Thanks a bunch, Binnsworth....:mad:

Indeed, BEags. I have a couple that I may not wear:=. But much better than those was the very nice watches from the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the Sultan on Oman, both of which I can wear.

Are those the ones that caused an upset when they were dished out to people who hadn't been on the squadron during Granby?


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The watches or the gongs? I wasn't (unfortnately) involved in either Gulf War. The watches I truly earned. No, I have no Granby momentos.

The watches. I may have my wires crossed here as I'd left 43 by then but I thought many were given when the squadron visited Kuwait on the anniversary and those left behind who had been there for the war were miffed by this?


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The best congratulatory chat (and probably the only one), I received was from a certain AVM (D.L.) after passing the RAF CFS (plank wing) QFI course and being presented with my certificate.

He noted that I had already passed the CFS(H) course some years before, and that I was an A2 QHI.

"Well ShyT, you'll be able to get yourself a nice job in civvie street, on the strength of those qualifications......!"

He was in the process of leaving the service himself - his office was already cleared! :ok:

Having served with the USAF for 3 years I found the constant awards/ pinning on ceremonies/ re-enlistments etc well over the top.... well at least initially! They actually grew on me over time and I do think we might actually be missing something. The most prominent example were the official retirement ceremonies which really put us to shame and I think we should do more at all levels to thank our people for the service to their country. I've seen many SNCOs and Officers leave the Service, some with as many as 35 years plus, just to receive a small gift and a quiet send off from immediate colleagues at a local pub.

In my opinion, adopting just some of these ceremonies and the use of more awards would help increase morale and esprit-De-corps, especially in the current climate.

Where I was based the Stn Cdr would send out a weekly email to everybody with some of the stuff he'd been up to that week and some of the "accomplishments" he'd seen on the base. I actually grew to like his light-hearted informal updates and found them much more personal than the annual formal stuffy disingenuous 'Christmas Messages' we tend to get!

Promotion in the RAF from Flt Lt to Sqn Ldr seems to come with 'congratulations, now enjoy your out of area tour!'

The pride that that the citizens of the United States have in their armed forces puts us to shame. I was sat in Seaworld Orlando with Mrs O and our son about 18 months ago when the announcer asked all members of their armed forces and its allied forces, currently serving and retired, to stand and be appreciated. I didn't, British reserve and all that, but wow what a buzz went round the amphitheatre when those heroes did stand. The applause and recognition was awesome.

Having spent so many years skulking around in civvies to placate our pathetic politicians and their fears about offending various proscribed organisations it is about time we showed pride in the commitment of our servicemen and women.

Oh and before you ask, after 19 years of service I handed in my 1250 and walked out the gate without a backward glance. No regrets, but no warm feeling. Until Seaworld 2011.

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.