Commentary - Protect, preserve Air Force traditions

News > Commentary - Protect, preserve Air Force traditions

Protect, preserve Air Force traditions

Posted 5/13/2011

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Commentary by Senior Master Sgt. Scott Wallick
56th Component Maintenance Squadron

5/13/2011 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- For the past several years, I've noticed a disturbing trend. This trend, if left unchecked, threatens to erode one of our most basic Air Force traditions.

I'm talking about the Air Force retirement ceremony. Sometimes NCOs, senior NCOs and officers choose to forgo a retirement ceremony and simply fade off into the sunset, closing that chapter of their lives with no formalities. While some people may think it is totally their choice to skip the ceremony, keep in mind that is precisely how valuable traditions die.

Thinking about this topic takes me back to my first assignment at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the late 1980s. My shop chief, Master Sgt. Day, was a seasoned master sergeant; he had a clipboard, a cup of coffee and a cigarette, and always had something profound to say. I'll never forget his persuasive words during a retirement planning meeting we had for one of our brothers who did not want to have the ceremony. Keep in mind this was more than 20 years ago, but I still remember it clearly. He had these words to share:

"I can appreciate how you feel, and I actually once felt the same way. You and I were brought up to seek awards and accolades for others, not for ourselves. This ceremony, however, is bigger than that. This is about celebrating a career of service and sacrifice. You have helped so many people in your long, outstanding career, and some of those people just want to say thanks. We also want the opportunity to thank your family for their years of dedication and sacrifice. Most important of all, though, it is our tradition to do it this way and we must keep our tradition alive."

While Sergeant Day persuaded the individual to proceed with a very memorable ceremony, that day he also taught me a very important lesson.

I must admit that, when considering my own retirement, I had thought of simply fading into the sunset. But I remembered Sergeant Day's valuable words, and I realized I simply cannot do it that way. I owe it to Sergeant Day, and to those that came before him, to keep this tradition alive. I especially owe it to our young Airmen who, just like me, need to be taught why this ceremony is important. These are the exact people to whom I need to pass on the tradition. I stand with them at numerous functions and proudly recite our Airman's Creed, specifically the part about being faithful to a proud heritage.

I am very proud of our heritage and thankful for the opportunity to have served all of these years. It is my duty to proudly pass the retirement tradition on to them by ensuring I do my part and have the ceremony that I, my family and the Airmen in my unit deserve. I hope you will, too, because it's just the right thing to do.

Comments

6/13/2011 3:03:25 AM ET
I wholeheartedly disagree wthis commentary. It's not your duty to do anything unlelss the AFI specifies it so. Thankfully, opinions do not carry legislative weight, but I still find it appalling that so many would wish to make it so. How one chooses to retire is the business of no one but the retiree. As a senior NCO, I fully support an Airman's choice to have or not have a retirement ceremony. It's the least he or she can be afforded after 20 years of honorable service.

MSgt, Djibouti

5/20/2011 1:10:08 PM ET
I believe AirGunner meant to refer to AFI 36-3203. Ultimately, it is the retiree's decision on a ceremony and it should be respected. However, I believe many individuals here are missing the purpose of this military tradition. It's about camaraderie and strengthening esprit de corps. It's a chance to be shown gratitude and appreciation for all the sweat, blood, crap and tears you put up with in service to your country. Uncle Sam owes you that much, aside from your pension. How you choose to remember your service, good or bad, is your prerogative. But don't scorn what the military tradition stands for.

Steve, Tampa

5/20/2011 12:38:44 PM ET
Out of the dozens of retirements I've been to, precisely nine of them were for people I actually knew. A whopping two were for people whose career I felt worthy of respect, admiration and honor. Of the rest, I knew I was not impressed with their motives, character, morals and work ethic. The vast remainder pulled me away from productive work so that I could warm a seat while hearing how that individual made it through enough promotion boards and PT tests to hit 20 years. If someone wants a formal ceremony, then let them have it attended by the people who care for that person, but don't make it mandatory to drag complete strangers into the bleachers.

No Thanks, Florida

5/20/2011 10:01:22 AM ET
Doing your retirement ceremony as you want it is not selfish, even if that means you do not want one. I'm looking at my rapidly approaching retirement ceremony the way I approached my commissioning: This is my day and one of those rare times when this is about me. I get to oversee the planning for that hour or two. I get to pick who gets to attend and, even better, who does not; who presides over it; the location, food and beverages afterward. After 20 years, I've earned that. The Air Force and my next employer won't care, but I will, and my family, my true friends and my comrades will, too.

DMPI, Al JBAB DC

5/20/2011 8:17:52 AM ET
Props to Chae for saying it all.

SgtF, Ramstein

5/20/2011 12:59:32 AM ET
After 24 years I chose not to have a ceremony, not because I didn't love my job or those I worked with, but because it was how I wanted to leave. I didn't want anyone to be "voluntold" to show up. I actually thought of having it on a weekend just to see who showed up. Don't get me wrong. I loved what I did for our great nation, but, until it becomes mandatory, let those people who have made it to 20 years leave on their own terms, because when you leave work for the last time the mission continues.

PG, NC

5/19/2011 5:52:01 PM ET
I've spent time on active duty and now in the ANG. I've been to dozens of retirement ceremonies, some pretty fun, some pretty painful. It would make sense to say that after 20 years of honorable service you have the right to A. Have a ceremony that's traditional; B. Have a ceremony that's a party, alcohol included; or C. Fade off into the sunset. It's your choice. You've earned it.

Mark, Maine

5/19/2011 4:38:15 PM ET
@Eric in Texas: As a Texan, I'm ashamed you are in Texas. You're missing the point completely. The success of a military member's career is a function of those who surround that person -- friends, family, co-workers, employees and supervisors. And, by the way, I hope you never get invited to a retirement ceremony again. You can just stay home and criticize everyone else.

Retirement Ready, Ohio

5/19/2011 12:18:37 PM ET
Thank you Airgunner for mentioning AFI 36-3202. I suggest every supervisor, shirt and commander read it to fully understand what they are responsible for before they guilt an individual into a formal retirement event for the sake of tradition. Re-reading it, I stopped counting all the things that should have but did not occur when I retired. And I really did not want a presiding official who does not know me bumbling through names, dates and events in front of a rent-a-crowd, many of who I don't know, all for the sake of tradition. As for recognizing the people who made a difference along the way, I did so in person by phone or via handwritten thank-you cards. That's not tradition, it's just simple common courtesy. As for real military traditions, perhaps we should enforce customs and courtesies, restore retreat ceremonies, or stop notifying promotees by email or website and defer to commanders. Until then, respect the individual's choice if it is one.

Chae, Villa Ranchaero SD

5/18/2011 10:12:37 PM ET
There is a simple reason why we don't have traditions in the Air Force. When you ask a Soldier what they do, they tell you, "I am a Soldier. When you ask a Marine, they say, "I am a Marine." When you ask a Sailor, they will tell you, "I am a sailor." But when you ask an Airman, they say, "I'm in the AF." That's the difference.

Handler, Kuwait

5/18/2011 9:29:11 PM ET
When I retired, I had an invitation-only ceremony. I didn't want anyone there who wouldn't have wanted to be there. Picked my own retiring officer, because we'd just gotten a new commander and he didn't know me. Things went well. After the ceremony, I drove to the beach and breathed in the air of the next phase of my life. Went home, took off the uniform and put it away.

Otis R. Needleman, USA

5/18/2011 10:01:05 AM ET
I plan on having a retirement ceremony, BUT I'm going to hold one on my own. I don't want your crappy plaques that will just gather dust; save your money. We're going to have a celebration. I'm going to jam out the national anthem on my electric guitar, and if you want to pray go to church. I don't need that at my ceremony, either. It's my retirement ceremony and if you think it's selfish, too bad. After all the years of service before self, I think we're owed some selfishness.

McCoy, FL

5/18/2011 9:39:46 AM ET
Someone who's been in the military 20 years or longer has earned the right to have a retirement ceremony. That said, he has also earned the right NOT to have a retirement ceremony if that's his wish. Don't ask someone who's made 20-plus years of sacrifices to suck it up one more time in the name of tradition, especially not in a service that has so little actual tradition to begin with.

PB, US

5/18/2011 9:25:00 AM ET
Personally, I feel everyone should have a retirement ceremony when practical, but the AFI does allow one to not have it, just like a final EPR. In my case, the ceremony was more for my and my wife's families to learn a little more about what I did for the last 25 years, since I don't go around bragging about doing my duty. Neither of our families had much exposure to the military, so they were very happy to attend my retirement and get a glimpse at real military tradition.

Dan F, Rock Island

5/18/2011 7:57:02 AM ET
I can recall many times in my AF career having to don my service dress and stand in formation for a formal retirement ceremony, often for someone I didn't even know. So when my time to retire came, I turned down the formal ceremony and the traditional retirement MSM. There was an informal ceremony at my duty section, and those who really wanted to attend did so. I found that much more meaningful than having a room full of prisoners at a formal ceremony.

MSgt B retired, NH

5/18/2011 7:12:56 AM ET
@David in Massachusetts: Your comments are the most selfish I have read in a LONG time. You want to force someone to have a retirement so that YOU and OTHERS can be recognized for helping the retiree through their career. It's all about me, me, me, right? Give me a break, crybaby.

Eric, Texas

5/18/2011 2:10:32 AM ET
I agree, AirGunner. Neither the OIC or I wanted a retirement ceremony. We just wanted to transition over to civilian life. Thinking back on it, I made the right decision. I actually saw at one retirement ceremony where the indvidual was forced to throw his plaque in the trash right in front of everyone.

Bill, Korea

5/17/2011 4:08:14 PM ET
The choice of the individual TO NOT have a retirement ceremony is allowed by AFI 36 3202 Para 6.1.2 and should be respected as the choice of the retiring individual. If some people are offended in the name of tradition for people not wanting to have a formal retirement ceremony then do what it takes to change the AFI and make it manditory. Until then, don't try to guilt trip people into doing something they don't want to and call it maintaining tradition.

AirGunner, Kirtland AFB

5/17/2011 1:28:40 PM ET
Retirement ceremonies are about much more than the individual and the person retiring needs to realize that. These ceremonies are important and tangible symbols in the Air Force and in all the services. They are opportunities to recognize not only the individual but their families friends and co-workers for the collective support and sacrifices that enabled the success of a military career. Retiring from the military is a significant accomplishment requiring a commitment and dedication over many years. It's not something just anyone can do. Do the right thing and have a ceremony.

David, Massachusetts

5/17/2011 1:23:40 PM ET
ROF, COS, CO: I could not agree more. When I retired, I just wanted to fade off into the sunset. I was told that I could not. So my unit said, "You will participate in something." I was asked what I wanted and I told them, "I leave it in your hands." I figured if they wanted to have it so badly, they would put together something fitting. Was I mistaken! I was embarassed for my family when I walked out. They didn't know any better, but I've been to enough of them that I did. Every time I look at the pictures that my family had to take, I just get upset. All I wanted to do was final out and go to Olive Garden with my wife and son.

USAF Ret, Buckley AFB CO

5/17/2011 9:44:27 AM ET
To me not having a retirement ceremony is a slap in the face to all the Airmen and your family that supported you during your career. Not having a ceremony is more selfish than having one. The ceremony is the chance for the member to recognize and thank everyone that supported them throughout their career. Now there are certain circumstances such as having to retire under other than honorable conditions that warrant not having a ceremony but for the majority of us we need to have the ceremony not so much for tradition but to allow us to thank the hundreds of Airmen who carried us to that point and our families who will be there long after we take the uniform off.

RMA, SA

5/17/2011 8:58:18 AM ET
When I retired I had just come off a 365 to Iraq and when I got back my entire squadron had just left for a 179. Who was supposed to attend my ceremony? The civilians at MPF? This is the reality of our situations today. Fading off into the sunset was cool with me...

Mike, Florida

5/17/2011 7:16:42 AM ET
After 20 years the individual has EARNED the right to leave the service on his/her own terms. The one thing that still makes me just shake my head is the presentation of the medal at a retirement ceremony. Yep...wearing that puppy for the next 10-15 minutes really means a lot. If the person really did something special to earn it then they should have been presented with it earlier.

D. Heffernan, Queens NY

5/17/2011 2:47:16 AM ET
Retirement ceremonies creep me out; they're too much like funerals. The retiree could lay in a coffin the entire ceremony and not much would change. People talk about how much the deceased/retiree will be missed and their accomplishments in life...someone might mention some fond memories they had of the person and family members might cry.

Airman, Europe

5/16/2011 6:02:22 PM ET
@ROF....Amen

ARF, Colorado

5/16/2011 3:39:51 PM ET
Our brothers and sisters in arms in the ground and sea services have no doubt benefited from hundreds of years of seafaring and soldiering tradition, which the AF can certainly admire. But in the most practical sense, what the AF brings to the fight is the ability to anticipate change before our enemies can dominate our brothers and sisters in uniform on the ground or at sea. It's been more than 50 years since an American soldier has been shot by an enemy aircraft, and, if we are careful, our tradition of change can ensure the tradition of air supremacy is a legacy we leave to the next generation.

Howard, Maxwell

5/16/2011 3:22:43 PM ET
If everyone else in the unit truly wants the individual to have a retirement ceremony as does that retiree, then by God the unit should actually show some initiative to honor said individual and the family and assist them in planning the event. Often, organizational indifference until the very last minute just causes the individual to say, "Forget it," and just quietly slip off into the sunset. And that's their prerogative. And a last-minute ad hoc farewell lunch out of guilt is about as disingenuous as it gets. In my last 5 years, I had planned a dozen promotion, retirement or farewell events for my people or the unit -- the last thing I wanted to do was plan my own. When it came my turn and the unit really didn't care, I stopped caring as well. Looking back, I'm much happier having left on my terms.

ROF, COS CO

5/16/2011 12:37:59 PM ET
I could not agree more. Many folks who are forced into having a retirement ceremony thank the organizers afterward and tell them they could not imagine if they would have been let off the hook for having a ceremony. It's truly a tradition that should be kept alive.

Donald McLeod, WPAFB OH

5/16/2011 12:17:39 PM ET
If someone truly WANTS to just quietly go away, then let them do it. There's little point in going to all the trouble for a proper retirement ceremony if they don't want it. If you want to honor their service, then honor their final wish. Perhaps the strongest statement of all about their service is the one they are making by quietly disappearing. If that is the statement they want to make, then let them make it.

MSgt F V - retired, Ireland

5/16/2011 10:52:46 AM ET
Traditions don't die because things change. Change is a part of life. Traditions die because people don't care. Today's society has become so wrapped up about "me me me," they've lost sight of the bigger picture. Of course, when someone tries to bring that picture back in focus people don't want to hear about it. I can understand why some feel the Air Force doesn't have so-called "traditions," but how about just MILITARY tradition? Ceremonies for decoration, promotion, retirement, induction, etc., serve every branch of our armed forces. The aspect of the MILITARY TRADITION, regardless of service branch, is what should be carried on.

Steve, Tampa

5/16/2011 10:28:46 AM ET
The Army, Navy and Marines have real TRADITIONS. Unfortunately, the Air Force only has "change." The good news is that soon there will be a new CSAF and a new CMSAF in office, so you can all expect more Air Force tradition, or should I say CHANGE.

Happy to be Retired, Ohio

5/14/2011 11:14:30 AM ET
I understand and appreciate the intent of this article, but the author should know it will fall on deaf ears. I've come to understand that there is no such thing as AF traditions. Anytime another CSAF or CMSAF takes the helm, things have to change for the sake of change or so they can make their impact on the service. Want to keep traditions? Quit changing everything.

MSgt. M., Alabama

5/14/2011 1:05:56 AM ET
"Aim HIgh." "Cross into the Blue." "Above All." "No One Comes Close." "Fly, Fight and Win." The Creed isn't even 5 years old. I love all this tradition The blue Kool-Aid is tainted with lack of originality. When you retire, be sure to impress your prospective employer with the Airman's Creed. They really love it at Wal-Mart.

TSgt Picka, MDL

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