FORMAL PERSONNEL INSPECTIONS A formal personnel inspection is conducted by the commanding officer or his or her immediate superior and may be directed from higher authority. Common times for formal personnel inspections to occur are during one of the following events: • • • • • Change of command Command  inspection Ceremonial  events  (awards  ceremony, retirement, reenlistments, and so forth) Predeployment Seasonal uniform change During a formal personnel inspection, the entire ship’s company or command is presented to the inspection officer in a military formation. In preparation for personnel inspections, inform your subordinates far enough in advance to allow them to have an “inspection quality” uniform ready on the day of the inspection. Veterans of numerous personnel inspections have learned to set aside a complete uniform for inspection, while inexperienced personnel usually purchase new items for inspection. Depending on the maturity and experience of your subordinates, you may need to explain to them how to prepare for inspection based on your own experience. You may even need to have them bring their inspection uniform aboard a few days before an inspection so that you can point out any discrepancies. United States Navy Uniform Regulation, NAVPERS 15665G, authorizes commanding officers to conduct seabag inspections on all nonrated personnel at regular intervals and on individual petty officers as appropriate. It also authorizes them to conduct seabag inspections before a nonrated person’s transfer or deployment. NAVY CEREMONIES Navy ceremonies, which bind our Navy men and women to history and tradition and instill a sense of personal pride, require proper planning to ensure success.  When  you  are  responsible  for  Navy ceremonies, research the appropriate ceremony to identify the proper customs and protocol to follow. Make a simple plan that lists the tasks and assigns individual responsibilities to ensure completion of all required  actions. CHANGE OF COMMAND Traditional ceremony surrounds the important military occasion of the change of command. You probably won’t get heavily involved with the preparations for a change of command. However, you will be expected to give guidance to personnel on preparing for change-of-command ceremonies. You will also be expected to provide personnel with points of contact for making arrangements for various parts of the ceremony. REENLISTMENT CEREMONIES Reenlistment  ceremonies  provide  command recognition for enlisted members continuing their naval careers. These ceremonies range from the simple to the elaborate. A ceremony could be as simple as one held in work  center  spaces  with  the  division  officer administering the reenlistment oath. It could also be an elaborate ceremony held at command formation with a senior officer (sometimes flag rank) administering the oath. As a senior or master chief, you should attend all reenlistment ceremonies and encourage maximum attendance by your personnel. Attendance by you and the crew demonstrates the importance of and the Navy’s appreciation for the decision of personnel to continue their naval careers. Commands  normally  present  reenlisters  with command gifts to demonstrate their appreciation for individuals who choose to continue their service career. These gifts consist of command plaques, command ball caps, command tee shirts, and 96-hour special liberties. In addition, most bases and ships provide fun packages. These packages consist of free dinners at the base clubs, free movie passes, free bowling games, free Navy exchange services, and gift certificates redeemable at Navy exchanges or ship stores. The types of fun packages vary from area to area. Gifts and fun packages must meet the criteria outlined in SECNAVINST 4001.2F. RETIREMENT CEREMONIES Retirement  ceremonies  acknowledge  the completion of a successful career by our shipmates. Retirement ceremonies also allow us the opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for our shipmates’ loyalty, dedication, and friendship. These ceremonies create lasting memories for the retirees, their families, and their close friends. 7-8