![Capt. Todd Bahlau presents a frocking letter to newly frocked Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Dominic Caviness June 9. The frocking tradition enables sailors to wear the uniform of their new rank before they are formally advanced administratively. [U.S. Navy photo by Jay Cope]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-529015a0-3077-1e43-e053-0100007f1cf2-0ec465db.jpeg)
MILTON — Fourteen sailors received their newly earned ranks June 2 at the CDR Clyde E. Lassen Auditorium during a frocking ceremony onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field.
Naval Air Station Whiting Field Commanding Officer Capt. Todd Bahlau gave each sailor a frocking letter.
“Your appointment carries with it the obligation that you exercise increased authority and willingly accept greater responsibility,” the letter read, in part. “Now, occupying a position of greater authority, you must strive with a renewed dedication toward the valued ideal of service with honor.”
Sailors selected for advancement with their new ranks were: ABH2 Dominic Caviness, AC2 Patrick Cook, AC1 Alexandrea Coy, AC3 Anita Finnerty, AC2 Jordan Fritz, AC2 Derwin Gentry, AC3 Alexander Gnezda, AC2 Mark Graham, AC2 Amanda Lara, AC3 Elijah Morris, AC1 Christopher Reinhard, AC3 Kristin Rogers, AC2 Cleveland Smith Jr., AC2 Bobby Spradley and AC2 Jeffrey Vohnout Jr.
Shipmates, friends and family members frocked many of the sailors.
Though official Navy publications didn’t refer to it until 1974, the frocking ceremony is a tradition as old as the Navy itself. The term comes from the historical practice of sailors donning the uniform frock coat of the next-highest rank prior to actually attaining the rank, granting the sailors the authority of the new device prior to their official advancement to that rank.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 14 sailors recognized in frocking ceremony