OCS Finale Graduation

As the last week of OCS starts spirits are unusually high in the class. All arrangements have been made with families; who is coming, where they are staying and what events they will be attending. Graduation is more than just showing up and walking across a stage. Preparing for this event started many weeks before with spaces being rented and menu choices needing to be decided on.

The first part of the graduation ceremonies is called "Hi Mom's." This is the first chance families have to see their sons and daughters in their officer uniforms. Black electrical tape is still covering the gold Ensign strip on our dress blue jackets but this does not reduce the effect at all. Families meet the class chief petty officers and drill instructors as well as many of the officers who have interacted with the class throughout their stay at OCS. Refreshments are served while introductions are made and then towards the end a slideshow is presented documenting the transition from civilian to naval officer.

The next ceremony is called a Pass and Review. The class lines up in formation with drill rifles and executes a carefully planned march. Friends and family look on while candidates perform the drill moves they put so much blood and sweat into learning. The Commanding Officer looks on as the class marches in step to a band. Afterwords, the class will turn in their rifles and many will leave the barracks for good.

On last PT session is performed early in the morning the day of graduation, although this will be the lightest PT exercise ever performed while at OCS. Friends and family can join in on a run behind the formation while drill instructors bellow their favorite Marine Corps Cadence. Then the only only task left to perform is to get ready for graduation by donning their dress uniforms. The tape is taken off the jacket sleeves reveling a bright gold stripe, never to be covered again. Uniforms are inspected for any lose lent (contraband) and shoes are polished to show a "mirror shine."

The graduation ceremony is fairly typical for any military ceremony. A guest speaker makes a speech followed by an Oath of Office. Then it is time to walk across the stage as an officer for the first time. Ensigns return the salutes from their class chief petty officer and drill instructor for the first time and shake their hands. A first salute picture is taken to celebrate the moment. A silver dollar is presented to them in payment for the expert guidance and training received. Ensigns are presented with their commissions before leaving the stage. A class photo is taken and this concludes both the ceremony and Officer Candidate School.