May 6, 2020
FOB Westbrook, NM

Promotions are always a positive thing in the Army.  Commander’s enjoy the opportunity to promote Soldiers in front of a formation of the entire unit.  It’s not a requirement, but it is tradition, and the Army is big on tradition.  The orders will be read, the commander rips the velcro rank off your chest and flings it over his or her shoulder, puts the new rank on, and you are presented to the unit at your new rank.  It is also traditional to give your old rank insignia to someone two ranks below your new rank, as they will hopefully soon be able to use it soon.

I was a captain for for seven years before finally getting orders in March promoting me to major.   In Honduras, as a medical unit, I suspect formations will be few and far between and I didn’t want to be the cause of one, plus I will be in uniform for at least a week here at Ft. Bliss before that (no uniform required in quarantine) and wanted to wear my new rank.

So I arranged for a promotion ceremony here at FOB Westbrook.  We had an Adjutant to read the orders, a LTC to promote me, and a photographer.  But no formation.

It’s a pity the photo doesn’t clearly show my Hawaiian shirt.  So much for tradition.