In early October, CALS had the honor of providing stand-by support for a Change of Command at Pax River Naval Air Station. The Change of Command ceremony is deeply rooted in military history dating back to the 18th Century. The primary purpose of a change of command ceremony is to allow subordinates to witness the formality of command change from one officer to another. The ceremony should be official, formal, brief, and conducted with great dignity. The change of command is an honored product of the rich heritage of this nation’s military, designed to strengthen authority and respect, which is vital to any military organization. The heart of the ceremony is the passing of the colors by the Commander being relieved, to the incoming Commander. The colors symbolize the authority and accountability of the Commander. M101 stood at the ready during this over 300-person event |