l l l l l l l l l l 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 l l l l l l l l l l 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: l l l l Builder’s  plaque Service  record  plaque CO’s  plaque Any other plaques bearing the ship’s name 1-43