What's the most unique Change of Command you've ever attended?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:29:27 -0400

What is the most unique Change of Command that you've ever attended? What was the setting? Who were the participants? What was most memorable about it? Any photos you can share?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 18 at 2015 5:46 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:46:29 -0400

I didn't "attend" it, but the outgoing and incoming ship's masters when I was part of the Military Department on the USNS Pecos (operated by civilian mariners employed by Military Sealift Command) conducted their change of command in the Captain's Cabin over coffee.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jun 18 at 2015 5:52 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:52:01 -0400

Everyone I've been to has been the old status quo with all the pomp and circumstance to go with it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 18 at 2015 6:22 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:22:20 -0400

Mine. It took my boss 18 months to secure a replacement for me. No one wanted to take the job so I was in command just over 3 1/2 years.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jun 18 at 2015 6:59 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 06:59:13 -0400

The one where the Commander spoke for less than five minutes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 18 at 2015 9:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 09:49:23 -0400

Not saying its unique, but certainly had to embrace the suck. Had a Post CoC at Ft irwin one fine hot summer. And the only place they figured they could do it to ensure every unit would fit was the giant ass helipad FT Irwin had. So picture it, FT Irwin desert, summer (July timeframe) standing on asphalt blacktop for 3 hrs. Since we all had to be in BDU's, by the time it was all said and done, my toes were actually blistered a little from the heat. And I think about 20% of all the Soldiers assembled fell out due to the heat. Cakes and pie.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 18 at 2015 2:00 PM

SrA David Steyer — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 14:00:01 -0500

I think these ceremonies have a place and are needed. However I would like to see *some* limits mandated. At my first base it seemed like every squadron change of command ceremony within the medical group was trying to out do the previous one and be more expensive by spending more on gifts, and uniform requirements were uneven. I remember one time when the weather was a bit cooler, we had to wear short sleeve blues, and then the next when the weather was 90F we had to wear full service dress and that sucked.

Then at my second and last base there were a lot more "assumptions of commands" than there were actual change of commands which was good as they were a lot quicker.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 13 at 2018 12:50 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:50:46 -0400

The changes of Command that take place between CSMs at the Army NCO Center of Excellence, formerly known as the USASMA.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jun 13 at 2018 4:03 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 16:03:51 -0400

The C of C for the Army Divers. They do it under water in the training pool with the narration piped out on intercom from the dive helmets.