All Navy personnel who retire after twenty years of service automatically receive the silver retirement lapel pin (gold pins are awarded for thirty or more years of service), along with DoD Certificates of Retirement (DD 363) and of Appreciation for Service in the Armed Forces of the United States (DD 2542) and a U.S. Navy Certificate of Appreciation (NAVPERS 1650/180).
Twenty-year retirees also have right to request a command-sponsored retirement ceremony featuring (if desired) a Master of Ceremonies (this would normally be the retiree’s Executive Officer), a guest speaker, participation by personnel on the command staff, band and Honor Guard service, and chaplain service. A reception may follow the command-sponsored ceremony, but it may not be paid for by U.S. Navy appropriated funds.
Complete information on what retirees may request in the ceremony, as well as full step-by-step instructions for the different procedures involved, can be found in MILPERSMAN 1800-010, General Guidelines For Conducting Ceremony For Retirement Or Transfer To The Fleet Reserve.