Graduation Ceremony

CoLawman · 10-18-2005, 08:41

Inquiring minds want to know!

Earning the Green Beret and the Special Forces tab is quite an accomplishment. Since so few actually earn this distinction, I was wondering about the graduation ceremony. I understand that those in the pipeline now receive the beret and tab at the end. In my mind, I picture an elaborate ceremony with dignitaries, families, and friends in attendance.

I look at the pomp and ceremony for high school graduations, college graduations, and even OSUT graduations. These accomplishments are certainly deserving of all attendant fanfare.

But what about graduation from the pipeline. Is the ceremony lowkey,or is it commensurate with the lofty accomplishment? As a parent I can only imagine the emotions at such a ceremony. I would not even be able to imagine the emotions and sense of accomplishment for the soldier that earns his beret and tab at such a ceremony.

Any of the QP's want to recount their experience, emotions, and rememberances of the day.

I know there are several parents on this board who hope and pray for the day that they can attend such a ceremony and would love a glimpse into that day.

Firebeef · 10-18-2005, 11:58

yo COlawman.....

I'm on duty right next door, lawdawg....c'mon over and I'll buy ya a pop and tell ya ll about it!! LOL.

DG

CoLawman · 10-18-2005, 13:52

But I am off today! Sorry! Type it up!

longtab · 10-18-2005, 15:04

When I was in the Pipeline the evening prior to Robin Sage (then Phase 4)graduation we had the Regimental "picnic" which was the actual Beret donning ceremony. They had abolished the Regimental Dinner the class prior for whatever reasons. At the fancy friends and family "official" graduation you recieved your Phase 2-4 certificates and your "Yarborough" knife. Then cadre TOOK the knife promptly upon the completion of the ceremony never to been seen again until you recieved the SF tab! Then you had two or three weeks block leave before reporting to language school (Phase 5) for 4-6 months. Finally you received your SF tab at the SERE graduation (Phase 6), where you were re-united with your "Yarborough" knife. So basically the Phase 4 (Sage) graduation was the big celebration with friends, family and keggers; and SERE graduation was special, yet low-key... followed by keggers. I'm am told the whole pipeline has just been revamped though... so who knows.

dennisw · 10-18-2005, 15:23

My son is not in the newest configuration of the pipeline, but his class is part of the old and the new. He just finished lanquage school and will start SERE training on October 24. His graduation is scheduled for November 23 where he is supposed to received his beret and tab.

He is not really sure what the ceremony will entail, and I don't think he wants to ask and be accused of not keeping his eyes on the 15 meter target.

Whether it contains pomp and ceremony or they give us a half empty can of coors light, I'm wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll have digital camera in hand to record even the most insinificant details.

**18C4V** · 10-18-2005, 19:01

My class didn't have the 18X or the Yarborough Knife.

My class (04-01) finished Robin Sage (phase 4) and came back to Bragg on a Sunday. We all go reassigned back to student company and Monday to Wed was full of inspections, details, and cleaning of TA-50 for CIF turn in. Wed was the class picture day and we needed two berets. One with our Group Flash and the other with the SWC Flash (for language school). Our class photo was with our Group Flash and that quickly went into the bag for the upcoming Regimental Supper on Thursday at the NCO Club.

The uniform for the Regimental Supper was BDU's with PC's. No guests were allowed unless your dad was SF. Each table had the Group Flash and all members sat at their own Group Table. My table, I had my Group Commander and Group CSM. The posting of the colors was done by the Honor Grads of all MOS's. We watched a short video, Generaly Boykin spoke a few words and "The Ballard of The Green Beret's" came on and the order came to "don Beret's". Most of the Groups handed out their Group Coins with the exception of 3rd Group (don't know why).

Our graduation was the next day in Class A uniform. My graduation was marred by the fact that we lost one classmate 1Lt Tallas Tomeny and almost lost another in a tragic accident that never should have happened. When my buddy who was wounded (18C) got up from his wheel chair and walked across the stage to receive his Beret, we all stood up and started clapping. As we all walked on the stage, General Boykin shook our hands and told each of us "Get ready to go to war". "The Ballard of the Green Beret's" came on and the order came "to don Beret's" and we did.

We received our Beret's and MOS orders and I took 10 days leave prior to reporting back for language school. In Language school, we were required to wear our Beret with the SWC Flash on it. Graduation for language school was simple. It was held in the auditorium on a thursday, got our 1059 and certificate and had Friday, Sat, and Sun off prior to starting SERE on Monday.

Graduation from SERE was cool, it was at the JFK auditorium and family members could attend. It was in BDU's and I got my tab orders along with my certificate. I got my graduation certificate signed by all the former POW's who were at the graduation ceremony.

Two weeks later, I sign into my company and into my team as the Sr 18C. Two weeks after that my bn got deployed down range.