If I shaved my head would you recognize me?

It is an interesting experience attending the graduations of our soldiers.  We attend all graduations of those who sign in with us at in-processing, whether they attend church after that or not.  In fact we have many who identify themselves as LDS and then never show for any activity or service.  The challenge is recognizing them again after not seeing them for about 4 months.

This picture shows the typical scene that awaits us when we walk in to a graduation.  In order to take the special pictures of the correct soldier when it is his turn to receive his diploma and have his "wings" pinned on, we have to be able to tell which one he is.  At in-processing we take one picture of the soldier, from the front, of course.  So we have that picture to look at and decide what the back of his head would look like. 

Of couse, depending on skin color, we can eliminate a few right away.  After that, it is height (which isn't always obvious from everyone sitting down), hair color (which isn't always obvious for obvious reasons), size and direction of the ears, and general shape of the head.

Given those challenges, it is funny how I get it right 98% of the time.  After I think I know which soldier we are looking for, I generally go up to him shake his hand, offer to take graduation pictures, and verify his mailing address to know where to send his pictures.  To tell the truth, we also do this for another reason.  By getting his home address, we know where to send his records if they followed him to this base. (Most records stay in the home ward, but sometimes, for various reasons, they come here.)

After the graduation all of the soldiers are standing up front and we are invited to congratulate all of the graduates.  I love the privilege of shaking the hand of all those who choose to serve their country.  There are a few that I even get to hug (those we've become close to). Some are lucky enought to have family attend the graduation, and it is fun to meet them.

Here is a typical in-processing picture. 

Here is the same soldier sitting in the position of Distinguished Gratuate at his graduation.

"You may not remember me, but we have come to take your graduation pictures if you would like us to.  Can I verify your address?" 

Wings are pinned on. 

The Graduate! 

Clapping for the graduates. 

We often take pictures of family and friends afterwards.

WE CAN'T HELP BUT LOVE THESE MEN AND WOMEN WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS.

Ok, I'm going to make another comment here because this blog won't allow me to answer a question that someone made in "comments". (I don't know why it is being so stubborn)

Yes, sometimes we do get a soldier who does not want us to take their picture.  I usually ask first, "Do you have some family here to take your picture?"  (Most do not.) Then I ask if it would be OK if we took graduation pictures for them. If they look hesitant, I say, "Just for fun!" so they know I'm not going to ask for $.  Then they relax and say, "That would be nice, thank you."

But we have had a couple just say, "No ma'am."  so I just shake their hand and say, "Congratulations on your graduation." and we don't take any pictures. At least for those, we get to hear where they are going, because it is announced when they receive the diploma.