Ship Ceremonies
DECOMMISSIONING CEREMONY
Still another ceremony terminates the active naval service of ships other than those lost at sea. A decommissioning is generally a somber occasion and fm less elaborate than any of the others discussed here.
Program. The main parts of the ceremony that are again subject to reordering are:
| Arrival honors (if appropriate) | ||
| National Anthem | ||
| Invocation | Chaplain | |
| Introduction | Commanding Officer | |
| Remarks (such as resumé of ship’s history) | Commanding Officer or other speaker | |
| Reading of orders | Commanding Officer | |
| Remarks | Authority accepting custody | |
| Decommissioning and relinquishment of command | Commanding Officer | |
| Benediction | Chaplain |
An abbreviated ceremony that varies slightly from the foregoing is as follows:
| Arrival honors (if appropriate) | ||
| Invocation | Chaplain | |
| Introduction and remarks (orders read) | Commanding Officer | |
| National Anthem | ||
| Colors lowered | ||
| Transfer to the Reserve Fleet | Authority accepting custody |