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CO’s biography
XO’s biography
C/MC’s biography
Color and black-and-white photos (8 by 10 and
5 by 7) of the CO, XO and C/MC
Line art of ship’s seal/logo
Color photo of the ship’s seal/logo
Welcome aboard booklet
Fact sheet
Description of the ship’s coat of arms
Background information on the ship’s name (for
example: USS Benjamin Stoddert is named after
the first Secretary of the Navy. . .)
Additional instructions for completing the report
can be found in PA Regs, Chapter 4. Consult the
SECNAVINST 5030.1 series (Classification of Naval
Ships and Craft) for further information regarding ship
commissioning and other special ceremonies.
Homecomings
Ship homecomings are a major event for units
returning from deployments and overhauls (when the
overhaul was conducted outside of the ship’s normal
operating area). Newly commissioned ships going
“home” for the first time and ships that change home
ports are also welcomed with colorful homecoming
ceremonies.
To plan the homecoming ceremony efficiently, a
“sister ship” is usually assigned by the type commander
to the returning unit. The sister ship is identified
approximately three months (four to five months for
aircraft carriers) before the projected arrival date.
The sister ship will name a homecoming
coordinator, who will work with you, the PAO and
command ombudsmen to make the arrangements for the
homecoming ceremony. Some of the responsibilities of
the sister ship and its homecoming coordinator include
the following:
Meeting with the homecoming ship’s spouse
support group to discuss desired services and
details
Making sure safety concerns are addressed, for
example, crowd control during mooring and
crane operation
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Arranging for balloon release, if allowed
Providing a canopy/awning for the homecoming
area
Proving refreshments for homecoming day
Making arrangements for a pierside performance
of a Navy Band, if desired
Reserving parking spaces for the homecoming
ship with the appropriate base parking
coordinator
Making arrangements for “welcome home”
messages on marquees on and off base
Assigning experienced linehandlers
Making sure the pier senior officer present afloat
(SOPA) is notified of the arrival time and berth
of the homecoming ship at least one week in
advance
Contacting the base Public Works Center (PWC)
to pickup vehicles requested by the homecoming
ship the day before arrival
Contacting the local Navy Morale, Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) office to line up special deals
for crew members
Remember that the previous list is not all inclusive.
Use your imagination when planning the ceremony with
the homecoming coordinator and ombudsmen.
Document your efforts every step of the way when you
use memoranda for the record, and put together a
planning directive that will solidify the arrangements.
Decommissioning
The organizational aspects of a decommissioning
ceremony mirror those of a commissioning ceremony.
You must complete CHINFO Form 5720-3 and develop
the appropriate directives detailing the ceremony to
include a CIB plan, if needed.
Consult the OPNAVINST 4770.5 series, General
Instructions for Inactive Ships and Craft, regarding the
disposition of items of historical or sentimental interest.
Some of these items include the following:
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Builder’s plaque
Service record plaque
CO’s plaque
Any other plaques bearing the ship’s name
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