Photo By Maj. Thomas Piernicky | U.S. Army Reserve Col. Kevin Meisler, outgoing commander for the 211th Regional...... read more read more
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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – U.S. Army Reserve soldiers from the 211th Regional Support Group participated in a change of command ceremony on Aug. 6, 2017, here.
Army change of command ceremonies are a long-standing military tradition to honor the outgoing commander while welcoming the incoming commander. Each ceremony requires significant planning and coordination for locations, invitations and sometimes includes bands or horse cavalry demonstration teams.
“The importance of ceremony is the tradition of the military,” said U.S. Army Reserve Col. Kelly D. McNeese, the incoming commander for the 211th RSG. “It is the guidons, the colors. That is what makes the unit. Where ever you see the colors, you know that is where the leadership is.”
McNeese explained that the use of flags and guidons has been used throughout military history for hundreds or even thousands of years. He explained that in ancient times, soldiers carried flags marking the location their units.
“That was how they communicated with each other,” said McNeese. “There is a rich history and tradition that we don’t necessarily get to embellish too deeply in the ceremony itself, but that is part of who we are. It pays homage to those who have gone before us.”
Military ceremonies can have a profound impact on the soldiers of the unit. In the case of a change of command, McNeese said they show the soldiers that their mission will continue without disruption.
“The significance is the tradition of the accession of command,” said McNeese. “That battle hand off, whether it is done in peace time or war, that is that continuity of command and the continued focus for the unit to be able to move forward and do the missions they have got to do.”
However, it is not only the soldiers of the unit that feel the impact during a change of leadership. The families of the outgoing and incoming commanders experience a significant shift in daily life also. McNeese’s family was by his side while he was in battalion command and supported him while he served overseas as a commandant.
“It’s a new starting point,” said McNeese. “Not just my military team is important, but my home team is important. They are as eager as I am about this command.”
A great deal of planning occurs in the weeks and months leading up to these ceremonies. Soldiers from various sections of the 211th RSG collaborated to ensure no detail was overlooked.
“It took planning from all levels,” said U.S. Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Michael Pernell, the master of ceremonies. “It took two months essentially, getting the script down, making sure the right invitations got sent out. It was a lot of teamwork.”
These preparations can be full of challenges for those making the plans. As professionals, soldiers want the event to be perfect since it is a major milestone in the career of a commander.
“Trying to anticipate what a full bird colonel is going to do, and the general, what kind of changes they would like to make and having to adapt to them,” said Pernell. “It was a lot of hard work and dedication from everybody from the lowest level to the highest level. We got together and made things happen.”
The 211th RSG is a part of the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). The command has units throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. As part of America’s Army Reserve, the units are trained, combat-ready and equipped to provide military and logistical support in any corner of the globe.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2017 17:37 |
| Story ID: | 247661 |
| Location: | CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 457 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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