27.1 Ceremonies and Events (AFH-1 Section 24D)

Ceremonies and Events (AFH 1, Section 24D)

Quick Answer: On the 15 February 2025 ADTC, Section 24D is B for Staff Sergeant and B for Technical Sergeant. Official ceremonies include promotions, changes and assumptions of command, activations and in-activations, re-designations, enlistments and reenlistments, awards, decorations, arrivals, departures, reveille, retreat, building dedications, ribbon cuttings, retirements, and funerals. Reveille starts the official duty day. Retreat ends it and honors the flag. Promotion ceremonies are customarily held on the last duty day before the first-of-the-month effective date.

Sections 24A–24C cover traditions, the flag, and individual courtesies. This section is 24.21–24.29 only.

Official ceremonies and planning (24.21–24.22)

AFH 1 calls these ceremonies unique customs of the military profession — some elaborate, others simple and personal. All events begin with planning (nature and sequence, scheduling, guests, and budget). Aim to lock details at least three weeks in advance; large events may need several months to a year. Do not start from scratch: use other organizations and prior checklists.

24.21 also lists enlistments and reenlistments, awards, decorations, arrivals, departures, dedications, ribbon cuttings, and funerals.

Parades, honors, awards, and decorations (24.23)

Parades, honor cordons, and motorcades may be held for officials entitled to honors. Full honors are reserved for statutory appointees and General or Flag Officers, foreign dignitaries, and occasions that promote international good will. The installation commander decides which honors are rendered.

An award may be formal or informal (often commander's call) with no specific guidelines except that the method must match the award's significance. A decoration formally recognizes meritorious service, outstanding achievement, or heroism. Commanders should personally present it when possible, at the earliest possible date after approval, in the uniform the host specifies.

Reenlistment and oaths (24.23–24.24)

Commanders honor all reenlistees. The member may request any commissioned officer and should invite immediate family. Hold it anywhere that lends dignity; use the United States flag as a backdrop when available. Authorized uniform is required unless the administering officer is retired (then optional for that officer). Policy: DAFI 36-2606. The officer recites the oath; the reenlistee repeats it; they must be physically collocated. "So help me God" may be omitted. The enlisted oath includes obedience to the President and officers appointed over the member according to regulations and the UCMJ. Officer and civilian oaths add taking the obligation freely and faithfully discharging the office. The ANG enlisted oath also names the Governor.

Reveille and retreat sequences (24.26–24.27)

Reveille: The formation dresses on the flagstaff; the flag security detail remains at attention. "Parade, REST." At the specified time: "SOUND REVEILLE." The detail attaches the flag to the halyards. Then "Squadron, ATTENTION" and "Present, ARMS." On the first note of the national anthem or To the Colors, raise the flag briskly without letting it touch the ground. After the last note: "Order, ARMS."

Retreat: After dressing, "Parade, REST," then "SOUND RETREAT." Junior detail members arrange the halyards, then parade rest. After retreat: attention and "Present, ARMS." If the flag is at half-staff, hoist it to the peak during retreat, then lower it on the first note of the anthem or To the Colors. Fold per DAFI 90-1202. The detail — senior member on the right, flag bearer in the center — marches three paces from the commander (or officer of the day) and reports "Sir (Ma'am), the flag is secured." Uniformed members not in formation face the flag or the music, assume parade rest on the first note of retreat, then attention and salute on the first note of the anthem or To the Colors.

Dining-in and the Order of the Sword (24.28–24.29)

Dining-ins and dining-outs are both formal. The one significant difference: spouses, friends, and civilians may attend a dining-out; a dining-in is military members only. The format traces to General "Hap" Arnold's wingdings and World War II British dining-ins. Military wear mess dress or semiformal; civilians wear what the invitation specifies. A combat dining-in keeps the form but uses a utility uniform in a more relaxed setting.

Order of the Sword induction honors those who supported enlisted members as a "Leader among Leaders and an Airman among Airmen" — the highest honor enlisted members can bestow. Evening: social period, dinner, induction. Dress: mess dress, semiformal, or equivalent. Only USAF and MAJCOM levels. CMSAF and MAJCOM command chiefs are keepers of the sword. First U.S. ceremony 1860s; USAF adopted it in 1967 for Colonel or above and civilian equivalents.