No longer a Private.

I've reached yet another milestone in my Army career: I have, for the third time since joining the Army, been promoted, this time to the rank of Specialist. I was eligible for promotion based on my fulfillment of the promotion criteria, having achieved the required amount of time in military service and time in the grade of Private First Class. Turns out I was actually eligible as of December 23, 2007, but it took them a while to file the paperwork.
The Specialist rank is the fourth enlisted ranking, just ahead of Private First Class, and just behind Sergeant. Today I was 'pinned' with my new rank. The 1SG and Commander held a formation, ripped off my PFC Velcro rank and put on my new rank. After some applause, the formation was called to attention, and dismissed to carry on our duties.
As per tradition (one of those weird Army-only kinds of traditions), the eight guys in my squad lined up and were each afforded one punch at the new square rank patch. I don't make up these kinds of things, and I've never punched a newly promoted soldier, but I still play along with the traditions. Some of the guys were easy with their punches, but my new fellow Specialist buddies weren't so kind in welcoming me to the new rank. I guess it's their way of "breaking in" the new guy... quite literally. It wasn't all too bad, just got the wind knocked out of me a bit. I retired from the formation, bruised, but in great spirits. It's always nice to advance in your career, and it's even nicer to get a pay raise! Luckily, I'll get back-pay for the months before my promotion that I was eligible for SPC.

Today's picture is of me in the Quick Reactionary Force cage, wearing my new rank on my uniform and patrol cap.