Army Retirement Ceremonies
Soldiers Army-wide are invited to participate in a retirement ceremony conducted by ceremonial troops of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW).
Generally held on a weekday morning toward the end of each month, the ceremonies take place on Fort Myer, Va. They are a fitting cap to a Soldier’s career and draws participants from the Army’s total force; Active, Guard and Reserve elements.
During summer months, weather permitting, Summerall Field is used for the ceremony. Conmy Hall is the venue October through March, and inclement weather. Signup for the ceremony is through the Fort Myer Transition Point. The form used to designate their participation in the ceremony can be obtained at retirement briefings for transitioning Soldiers, from the Fort Myer Transition Point or downloaded below. Soldiers not serviced by the Fort Myer Transition Point can also contact the Ceremonies and Special Events Office directly at (202) 685-2613/4916.
Please fax (or email) the completed form to the appropriate locations designated at the bottom of the form.
MDW also conducts General Officer retirement ceremonies on Fort Myer.
PLEASE NOTE: All retirement ceremonies (both DA and GO) are at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
DA Ceremonies:
2012 Dates - Jan. 26, Feb. 28, Mar. 29, Apr. 26 at 2 p.m., May 17 at 2 p.m., June 28, July 26, Aug. 30, Sept. 27, Oct. 30, Nov. 15, Dec. 18
2011 Dates - Jan. 27, Feb. 24, Mar. 30, Apr. 28, May 17, June 23, July 28, Aug. 30, Sept. 26, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec. 15.
GO Ceremonies:
2012 Dates - Jan. 27, Feb. 29, Mar. 30, Apr. 27, May 18, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 28, Oct. 31, Nov. 16, Dec. 19
2011 Dates - Jan. 28, Feb. 25, Mar. 31, Apr. 29, May 19, June 24, July 29, Sept. 27, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16.
The cutoff for ceremony participants is 10 working days prior to the ceremony. Attendance is normally arranged through one’s transition point, and parties are notified of the schedule 10 days in advance. If no notice has been received within seven days of your scheduled retirement ceremony, please contact Mr. Mason at (202) 685-2613; or Ms. Michelle Brown at (202) 685-4916.
Right click to download the retirement data sheet
The Army Band and the Old Guard represent the Army well at outreach events large and small, near and far. They combine forces for the Twilight Tattoo performances at Fort Myer and the Spirit of America shows up and down the East Coast. Concerts and recitals by Army Band musicians and exhibitions by Old Guard performing units like the Army Drill Team or the Fife and Drum Corps keep the command in the public eye.