Commissioning
On September 16th, 1966, 11:30 in the morning, I became an Ensign in the United States Naval Reverse. After more than eleven weeks of unrelenting constant stress, we now had graduated into the status of Commissioned Naval Officers.
Earlier that morning, we stood on the AOCS Parade Ground in our service dress white, choker white uniform. We stood at parade rest as the head class on the parade field. A dignitary made comments about our achievements, and that we were the future of Naval Aviation. From the VIP stand, we were called to attention and ordered to pass in review. Class 25-66 marched by the stand. Next we went to a large room behind the chow hall. There, our guests gathered to take part in our oath of allegiance. Captain John C. Haynie USN, Commanding Officer of Preflight School Command, administered our oath of allegiance. He called us to attention and asked us to raise our right hand. He said repeat after me “I state your name, do solemnly swear……….. which I am about to enter. So, help me God.”
Class 25-66 still wore our AOCS cadet shoulder boards. We removed these and had a family member or loved one attach our Ensign shoulder boards to our uniforms. Lou, my fiancée, placed my Ensign insignia on my uniform. Her joy about our future together clearly radiated in her constant smile. Captain Haynie called us forward and presented us with our commissioning certificate. My dad, on the right, and Lou watched as I received my certificate.
We were now commissioned officers. As we filed out of the room onto the adjacent porch, there stood our Drill Instructor, Gunnery Seargent Whirling, to render our first salute. As I approached him, he stood at attention and brought his right hand up to the bill of his cover. He said, “Good Afternoon, Sir.” I returned the salute and said “Thank you, Sergeant” as I handed him a silver dollar. To prepare for this age-old ritual, I acquired a silver dollar from the bank over Labor day weekend.
I was now a commissioned officer and no longer subject to the demand and whims of the DIs and Candidate Officers. Returning to my room in Batt II, where I spent my last night in AOCS, I packed up my belongings. After I loaded my belongings into my car, I turned my back on Batt II and AOCS, and drove to the BOQ. What a moment. What a sensation. I made it.