All Branch Topic (ABT) Does your school allow you to graduate in uniform?

[TheTruckGuy]

I was talking with a friend at another school and, as it stands right now, neither of our schools authorize anything for graduation other than the traditional graduation robes or whatever they're called. I was curious as to how many schools allowed you to graduate in uniform. I think all of the HPSP at my school agree with me that they'd rather graduate in uniform, and I know undergraduates at my school that are commissioning are allowed to graduate in uniform, and lots of my friends chose to do that.

I'm trying to get a reference point and examples to use to propose a change in policy. To play devil's advocate someone can say that we're just doing it for the extra attention, but that's not my purpose at all. What do you all think about it?

Thanks in advance.

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[colbgw02]

That sounds terrible, and I'd never choose it.

At my undergrad graduation, we went through the regular spiel, but then had a separate moment in uniform in front of everyone. It was cool at the time, but I would have rather not in retrospect.

 

[ArmyTiger]

At our school, there is usually a separate commissioning ceremony the day prior to graduation in uniform. Graduation itself has graduation robes.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

My school (Texas A&M) has a very rich military tradition and has produced A LOT of officers over the years. Each branch does its own commissioning ceremony, then there's a university commissioning ceremony that's all the services. Those that aren't commissioning but were cadets can graduate in the school's uniform, and most do.

Why wouldn't you want to graduate in uniform?

 

[colbgw02]

My school (Texas A&M) has a very rich military tradition and has produced A LOT of officers over the years. Each branch does its own commissioning ceremony, then there's a university commissioning ceremony that's all the services. Those that aren't commissioning but were cadets can graduate in the school's uniform, and most do.

Why wouldn't you want to graduate in uniform?

I think if your school has a strong tradition, either way, then that changes things.

As to the bolded, I think it has a lot to do with wanting to keep a low profile. As a medical corps officer, I don't really feel like I deserve the same respect or admiration that the so-called trigger-pullers do, or at least not for the same reasons that they do. And I don't think the public really does a great job of discerning - they just see the uniform. I would prefer to remain relatively anonymous than face what I consider to be unwarranted (or perhaps misplaced is a better word) thanks from strangers.

 

[UltimateDO]

We graduated with robes over uniforms then came back on stage after graduation for our oath. Promotion was a separate ceremony afterwards so family members could pin us. It was definitely cool to be up on stage in uniform taking the oath from a senior admiral and have a final get together with all of my HPSP colleagues.

 

[pgg]

Even USUHS doesn't really graduate in uniform ... the graduation and commissioning into the MC / promotion to O3 both occur in the same place minutes apart, but they are separate discrete ceremonies. Robes for the MD, uniform for the O3.

Were I an HPSP'er at a civilian school, I'm not sure I'd really feel comfortable distracting from the medicalness and academicness of the graduation ceremony by wearing a uniform.

 

[ProwlerturnGas]

"As to the bolded, I think it has a lot to do with wanting to keep a low profile. As a medical corps officer, I don't really feel like I deserve the same respect or admiration that the so-called trigger-pullers do, or at least not for the same reasons that they do. And I don't think the public really does a great job of discerning - they just see the uniform. I would prefer to remain relatively anonymous than face what I consider to be unwarranted (or perhaps misplaced is a better word) thanks from strangers."

I just had to comment on this….could not keep quiet. Dude, you need to change your perspective. There have been many physicians killed and or wounded serving their country and taking care of the "trigger pullers". Wear the uniform with pride man (or woman) because those before you earned it.

 

[pgg]

Nothing wrong with a little humility, and recognizing that those of us in the medical corps don't have a lot of street cred with the line as we exit med school.

But don't hesitate or feel weird about wearing the uniform to events where it's not going to be a distraction.

It's kind of like the occasional thread on this forum where someone asks if they should wear their dress military uniform to their oral board exam. It's just not the right venue. You're making a statement via your choice of clothing, and that statement is "I don't know what I'm really here for" ... or worse, "I'm hoping for special attention or treatment by standing out in a crowd."

 

[colbgw02]

I just had to comment on this….could not keep quiet. Dude, you need to change your perspective. There have been many physicians killed and or wounded serving their country and taking care of the "trigger pullers". Wear the uniform with pride man (or woman) because those before you earned it.

Pretty much what pgg, but also...

You've denied the antecedent. Just because I don't put myself on the same level as the combat arms people doesn't mean I don't have pride in what I do.

 

[deuist]

There were no prohibitions against wearing uniforms at graduation. However, we held a commissioning ceremony the morning of graduation and then the full medical school ceremony was later that evening in civilian attire. As others have mentioned, you don't want to draw attention to yourself, particularly if the military medical students make up less than 10% of the graduating class.

 

[idq1i]

I just had to comment on this….could not keep quiet. Dude, you need to change your perspective. There have been many physicians killed and or wounded serving their country and taking care of the "trigger pullers". Wear the uniform with pride man (or woman) because those before you earned it.

THEY may have earned it, but you (the OP) just signed a name on a piece of paper. Putting on a uniform in public, amongst a generally well-meaning but misinformed public brings out recognition, praise and gratitude that quite honestly, a medical student just hasn't earned yet.

Furthermore, while I don't have the policy handy, I don't believe a uniform is authorized under regs for a civilian event.

 

[TheTruckGuy]

Thanks for the feedback. Like I said, I wouldn't want to do it for the extra attention, but as y'all pointed out it's pretty much unavoidable.

I do like the idea of wearing our robes over our uniforms and then doing the promotion ceremony shortly after graduation. That sounds like a reasonable compromise. I'll have to see what my classmates have to say about that idea before I propose it.

Any other feedback or opinions are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ProwlerturnGas]

Sorry came off a bit strong….still, wear the uniform with pride. It's honorable for you to serve. Everyone starts new at some point. And when someone congratulates you in public for serving or says Thanks, its a good opportunity to ask if they have served and actually get to know someone. I met a guy who had been in every major air battle of the pacific in WWII this way, he came up and said thanks…..talk about humility, WOW

 

[fez68w]

While you can't graduate with the uniform, some universities might (upon request) let you graduate with a blue, white, red rope on your shoulder.

 

[DeadCactus]

And when someone congratulates you in public for serving or says Thanks, its a good opportunity to ask if they have served and actually get to know someone.

I really like this. Thanks for sharing that, definitely going to be my approach from now on...

 

[Gastrapathy]

Along those lines, your corpsmen are far more likely to have seen real combat (and paid the price) than anyone else in the Navy.

 

[ProwlerturnGas]

I was a Corpsman served with the Marine Corps and I also flew casualty evac's in Afghanistan as a physician. Corpsman as a group have the most MOH recipients. Marines have a way of dragging us Navy guys around some hot spots 😉 Again, wear your uniform with pride…...

 

[18dstring]

"As to the bolded, I think it has a lot to do with wanting to keep a low profile. As a medical corps officer, I don't really feel like I deserve the same respect or admiration that the so-called trigger-pullers do, or at least not for the same reasons that they do. And I don't think the public really does a great job of discerning - they just see the uniform. I would prefer to remain relatively anonymous than face what I consider to be unwarranted (or perhaps misplaced is a better word) thanks from strangers."

I just had to comment on this….could not keep quiet. Dude, you need to change your perspective. There have been many physicians killed and or wounded serving their country and taking care of the "trigger pullers". Wear the uniform with pride man (or woman) because those before you earned it.

this. stand by your decision, when strangers show gratitude its because you volunteered to deploy areas where men fight and die. you may not be there yet, the fact that you are aware of this and volunteer anyway, shows your character. grunts have their job, FST, SOCCETs, save grunts when they touch shiny objects. be proud, humility doesnt have to be insecurity brother

 

[colbgw02]

Yet another denial of the antecedent.