GyBill
09-27-2006, 20:40
Marine Officer Promoted Aboard Coast Guard Ship
If you've never seen a military advancement or promotion ceremony, here's the usual protocol: the member being awarded the next higher rank is brought before their assembled crew. With the senior officer presiding over the ceremony, a citation is read and the individual's new collar devices are attached by the supervisors, peers or family members of his/her choosing. That, with some variation, is the normal routine. So, why would a senior officer in the Marine Corps, a service known for its long history and storied traditions, request to conduct her promotion ceremony aboard a Coast Guard cutter at a Coast Guard base 500 miles from her duty station?
Kate Tate was authorized to be promoted to colonel in September. She decided not to conduct her promotion ceremony at her unit, the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., where she serves as assistant chief of staff for intelligence. Instead, she would travel to Philadelphia on Sept. 5 and be promoted aboard the Coast Guard Cutter William Tate, a ship named for her great-grandfather.
"It was a real honor to be promoted aboard the ship," said Tate. "The Coast Guard is such a great organization." Tate's father and husband, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, pinned on her silver eagles, the collar device of a colonel. Capt. Ted Harrop, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, presided over the ceremony, read the promotion citation and administered Tate's oath. The ship's crew attended the morning ceremony, held on the bridge of the ship at its homeport of Philadelphia.
Tate, from Ventnor, N.J., reported to the 2nd Marine Air Wing in June after a tour of duty at the Pentagon. In her current position, she advises the commanding general and staff on all matters pertaining to intelligence and provides intelligence support for planning and operations.
"I was honored to fulfill the colonel's request to be promoted aboard my ship," said Lt. Brian Huff, commanding officer of the William Tate. "Besides supporting a fellow servicemember, it gave my crew an opportunity to remember William Tate and honor his contributions to this country."
The crew was given the opportunity to speak with Col. Tate's father, James Tate, Jr., about his grandfather, the ship's namesake. His first visit to the ship in years, he enjoyed a tour of the engine room.
"I was happy that my father could attend and participate in the ceremony," said Kate Tate. "It's a real honor for him to be able to visit this ship again and remember his grandfather."
If you've never seen a military advancement or promotion ceremony, here's the usual protocol: the member being awarded the next higher rank is brought before their assembled crew. With the senior officer presiding over the ceremony, a citation is read and the individual's new collar devices are attached by the supervisors, peers or family members of his/her choosing. That, with some variation, is the normal routine. So, why would a senior officer in the Marine Corps, a service known for its long history and storied traditions, request to conduct her promotion ceremony aboard a Coast Guard cutter at a Coast Guard base 500 miles from her duty station?
Kate Tate was authorized to be promoted to colonel in September. She decided not to conduct her promotion ceremony at her unit, the 2nd Marine Air Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., where she serves as assistant chief of staff for intelligence. Instead, she would travel to Philadelphia on Sept. 5 and be promoted aboard the Coast Guard Cutter William Tate, a ship named for her great-grandfather.
"It was a real honor to be promoted aboard the ship," said Tate. "The Coast Guard is such a great organization." Tate's father and husband, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, pinned on her silver eagles, the collar device of a colonel. Capt. Ted Harrop, deputy commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, presided over the ceremony, read the promotion citation and administered Tate's oath. The ship's crew attended the morning ceremony, held on the bridge of the ship at its homeport of Philadelphia.
Tate, from Ventnor, N.J., reported to the 2nd Marine Air Wing in June after a tour of duty at the Pentagon. In her current position, she advises the commanding general and staff on all matters pertaining to intelligence and provides intelligence support for planning and operations.
"I was honored to fulfill the colonel's request to be promoted aboard my ship," said Lt. Brian Huff, commanding officer of the William Tate. "Besides supporting a fellow servicemember, it gave my crew an opportunity to remember William Tate and honor his contributions to this country."
The crew was given the opportunity to speak with Col. Tate's father, James Tate, Jr., about his grandfather, the ship's namesake. His first visit to the ship in years, he enjoyed a tour of the engine room.
"I was happy that my father could attend and participate in the ceremony," said Kate Tate. "It's a real honor for him to be able to visit this ship again and remember his grandfather."