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DECOMMISSIONING
The decommissioning ceremony is the ceremony
that terminates the active naval service of a ship. A
decommissioning ceremony is not held for a ship lost
at sea. This ceremony is generally a somber occasion
and is far less elaborate than the ceremonies discussed
earlier. As a general rule, invitations are not issued for
a decommissioning ceremony. A sample program may
be found in the Social Usage and Protocol Handbook,
OPNAV 092-P1.
CHANGE OF COMMAND
As a senior YN, you will more than likely be
involved with a change of command ceremony at some
point in your naval career. Invitations for such an
occasion are normally headed by a replica of the
relieving officer’s personal flag or a commission
pennant. A sample of the appropriate format is shown
in figure 4-8. While it is equally correct to use the
engraved invitation that requires the writing of the
intended guests’ names, it is by no means more correct
than the fully engraved invitation that “requests the
pleasure of your company.” The latter creates needless
work in its preparation.
In some instances, change of command and
retirement ceremonies are combined. A properly
worded invitation is shown in figure 4-9. Change of
command orders to commanders and below may be
The Captain, Officers, and Men of
UNITED STATES SHIP NEVERSAIL
request the pleasure of your company at the
Change of Command Ceremony at which
Captain Roy Edward Turner, United States Navy
will be relieved by
Commander George Bukoski, United States Navy
on Friday, the twenty second of June
at ten o’clock
on board USS NEVERSAIL (DD-219)
pier twelve, United States Naval Station
Norfolk, Virginia
R.S.V.P.
Uniform:
455-2345
Service Dress Blue
Figure 4-8.-Sample format for change of command.
Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command
requests the pleasure of your company
at the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony
at which
Rear Admiral John Smith, United States Navy
will be relieved by
Rear Admiral Henry Jones, United States Navy
on Friday, the twelfth of April
at half past eleven o’clock
Admiral Leutze Park, Washington Navy
R.S.V.P.
Uniform:
423-3245
Service Dress Blue
Yard
Figure 4-9.-Sample format for change of command and
retirement.
written using items and abbreviated titles and phrase
equivalents. Steps should be taken upon receipt of such
orders to translate the phrase equivalents into the proper
terminology for use at the change of command
ceremony. It is suggested that only that portion of the
orders pertaining to detachment and reporting to the
ultimate duty station be read at the change of command
ceremony. Change of command orders to captains and
above will not require translation since the pertinent
paragraphs will be in the proper form for use at the
change of command ceremony.
RETIREMENTS
The retirement or transfer to the Fleet Reserve
of a member is followed by a ceremony designed
to express the Navy’s appreciation for the many
years of faithful and honorable service the member
has devoted to his or her country. Invitations, if so
desired by the member, to such an occasion are the
member’s responsibility. Participation in a formal
ceremony is not a mandatory requirement for the
member. Each member’s preference in the matter
must be determined before the scheduled date of
retirement or transfer to the Fleet Reserve. Such
ceremony may be waived upon request of a
member or in other instances when, at the
discretion of the CO, such action is warranted. In
the case of personnel who are transferred to another
activity for further transfer to the Fleet Reserve or
the Retired List, the preseparation ceremony must
be conducted by the last permanent duty station and
not by the activity to which transferred.
4-10
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