10
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
5 9 Blessing of the Bars Ceremony (Optional)
March 13, 2:30 PM
The Officer Candidates School Religious Ministry Team invites you to the Blessing
of the Bars Ceremony. Drawing on the tradition of the Naval Aviation community’s
Blessing of the Wings Ceremony, the OCS Chaplain will lead a service of blessing for
the graduating candidates. Candidates should provide their own set of collar-sized
2ndLt bars.
During WWII many Catholic Chaplains began blessing the wings of Catholic aviators.
This tradition continued throughout the years and eventually became a ‘Blessing
of the Wings’ Service in Navy Aviator Training Base Chapels. Eventually the service
included other Christian traditions and became the ‘Aviator’s Blessing’, accompanied
by pinning a set of wings on a tapestry.
For those who would like to participate at the
Marine Memorial Chapel, it is located off the
Quantico traffic circle at 3251 Embry Loop,
Quantico, VA 22134.
Drawing from the traditions of the Naval Aviation community, we gather today to
bless and send forth these soon-to-be Marine Officers and pray for their well-being,
safety, and effectiveness throughout their Marine Corps careers and beyond.
OCC-233 Graduation Parade
March 14, 10:00 AM
The Graduation Parade takes place at Brown Field (Officer Candidates School) on
the final day of training. The ceremony recognizes candidates who have met the
challenge of OCS and successfully completed its demanding curriculum. During
the parade, the top performing candidates and OCS staff receive awards, the
Commanding Officer and Reviewing Officer will each address the guests, and the
candidates will conduct a pass-in-review.
The parade takes place on the Parade Deck of OCS and lasts approximately one hour.
General audience seating is in the bleachers, VIP seating is in the reviewing stand, and
physically disabled seating is available within the tents or at the front of the bleachers.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early as seating is first come, first served. The event is
free and open to the public, visitors must present valid ID, vehicle registration,
and proof of insurance to access the base. Please see p.13 for more details regarding
base access. The ceremony is outside, so we encourage attendees to check the
weather for graduation and dress appropriately. Unless there is severe weather, the
parade will go as scheduled.
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