Change of Commands

Even though I have been doing this Army thing for some time now, I still had never seen a change of command. With that being said, I finally got to see two! One was a company sized change of command for Chris's old 561st Co. commander and the other, a battalion sized one, for the 84th Eng. Bn.

Talk about pomps and circumstance.

Did I mention I am sucker for tradition?

Anyhoo, there were two tents set up. One for the outgoing commander's guests and another on the other side of the podium for the incomming commander's guests. The flags were set up, the 25th ID band played and the Soldiers took the parade field with such valor and pride. 

It was pretty cool to watch and I learned the symbolism behind passing the guidon during the ceremony.

Capt. Matthew Chase relinquished command of the 561st Eng. Co., "Warriors," to Capt. Victor Grolenthal, Jan. 31.

Lt. Col. Jerry Farnsworth II relinquished command of the 84th Eng. Bn., “Never Daunted,” to Lt. Col. Aaron Reisinger, Feb. 1.

The transfer of the guidon represents the transfer of responsibility for the accomplishment of the mission, and for providing for the welfare, order, and disciplined of the Soldiers assigned.

The custodian for the guidon is the unit’s senior noncommissioned officer. At this time, he or she, passes the guidon, and all it represents, to the outgoing commander for the last time.

The outgoing commander then relinquishes his command by passing the guidon to the officiating officer. The officiating officer then passes the guidon, and hence the command, to the incoming commander.

This time-honored process is complete when incoming commander returns the guidon to the senior enlisted leader, indicating the trust and confidence held in the unit’s senior NCO.