16th Space Control Squadron hosts lieutenant promotion by Internet

Published June 6, 2011
By Capt. Rakanem Milligan
16th Space Control Squadron

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- For 2nd Lt. Guinevere Cummings, promotion to first lieutenant was a long-distance affair.

She was promoted May 26 during a ceremony that spanned more than 7,700 miles. The ceremony was held at Peterson AFB, with Capt. Robert Bernard administering the oath by way of Southwest Asia.

Attendees were able to view the ceremony via video teleconference set up by members from the 16th Space Control Squadron.

"I love the way we showcase our global presence," said Lt. Col. Roger Sherman, 16th Space Control Squadron commander. "It was great to see we can conduct a promotion ceremony over such a great distance while including all the important people in the LT's life."

Lieutenant Cummings parents flew from both coasts, Florida and Oregon, to see their daughter get a one of a kind promotion.

"The promotion was very sentimental for me" Lieutenant Cummings said. "It was kinda cool, definitely memorable, and I received a lot of help and support to get it done, or it just wouldn't have happened at all." Conducting the ceremony outdoors provided the perfect background for the event for the participants.

Captain Bernard had the honors of administering the oath on the other side. He scheduled time off from his shift to go to his dorm room, log in and become part of unit history.

"It was an honor being able to promote her from (afar)," he said. "I know she was very excited about the promotion and with her parents flying in for it, I wanted it to be special. Connectivity wasn't the greatest but none-the-less she was able to see me as well as hear me provide the oath of office to her."

Captain Bernard, along with other members of the 16th and 380th Space Control Squadrons, is serving a tour with the RAIDRS Deployable Ground Segment-0 in support of Operation SILENT SENTRY providing detection, characterization, geolocation and report sources of radio frequency interference on U.S. military and commercial satellites in direct support of combatant commanders.

Virtual Oath