change of responsibility speech incoming csm

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How to Write a Change of Command Speech

C hances are you’ve been in one of the following situations:  a member of a formation suffering under a long change of command speech; an audience member embarrassed for the speaking commander because his speech is really bad; or a soon-to-be ex-commander staring at a blank page on the morning of your own departure speech. Sound familiar?

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The change of command speech is important but it can sneak up on you in the distracted days before the big event. Here are some thoughts to consider as you prepare for the transition. There are sections for Incoming Commanders, Outgoing Commanders, and some general tips.

Going Into Command

• Keep it short (2-3 minutes)
• Introduction:  welcome the guests, but don’t run down the entire laundry list of guests. You’ll be the third person to speak, and the guests will feel plenty-welcomed by then.
• The Chain of Command for the opportunity
• The Outgoing Commander & his/her family
• Your spouse & family
• The troops, and express gratitude for the honor of joining their team
• Write two sentences about the privilege to command and how you’re looking forward to what the future will bring
• Do not say “ All policies and procedures remain in effect. ” First, it sounds ridiculous and cliché. Second, there’s no regulation or policy requirement to do so, nor is there any expectation that Army regulations and UCMJ are no longer applicable if you don’t say those seven words at your change of command. And finally, it’s not true. You’re going to change every policy letter when you resign it under your name. And, heaven forbid, you might actually change some things because, well, you’re the commander and you have the authority to do so.

Leaving Command

• Keep it short(ish) (8-10 minutes)
• Introduction:  go ahead and thank the key guests for attending. Welcome General Officers and equivalent Sergeants Major by name. Welcome your commander by name. Welcome all others by group, unless an individual stands out in some significant way (Medal of Honor recipient or “Honorary Colonel of the Unit”).
• Include some mention of why we serve, and of the concepts duty, honor, and sacrifice.
• Honor fallen/wounded Soldiers, as appropriate.
• Relive the story of your time in command, but from the Soldiers’ perspective, not yours.
• Retell some stories using individual names ( “The company’s success during NTC grew out of the individual efforts of men like squad leader SSG Goldman, who single-handedly breached the wire obstacle on the final objective.” )
• Your Chain of Command
• The unit for their sacrifice
• Your staff and higher headquarter’s staff for putting up with you
• Adjacent and supporting/attached units as necessary
• Your key staff members
• Your senior enlisted leader
• Your spouse

General Tips

• Rehearse your speech NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES!!
• Get feedback from your peers and spouse on content and timing.
• Don’t ad-lib unless you are a gifted orator or an extrovert who can carry a crowd.
• Type your speech in big font and wide paragraph spacing, put the pages into sheet protectors, and prepare them in a three-ring binder at the podium.
• Have a second fully functioning binder in case the Adjutant loses the primary.
• If you’re cool, consider putting the formation At Ease.
• DO NOT NOT NOT forget to thank your spouse! There is no chance that you would have been as successful as you were without him/her, so you should probably state that fact publicly.
• And finally…please don’t cry.

What other tips and thoughts do you have about preparing for a change of command? Leave a comment below.

And be sure to check out Victoria Wellman’s book on writing the perfect speech, Before You Say Anything . She is a renowned speech coach and has crafted memorable speeches for influencers, politicians, entrepreneurs, Olympians, NFL stars, astronauts, rap stars, artists, and activists.

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How to write a Change of command speech as Incoming Commander

A change of command speech or change of responsibility speech have the same basic structure whether it is for Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard. Whether it is a ceremony for a company, brigade or battalion, wing or installation-level, the only change is the formality. The higher-up the change and the larger the ceremony, the more formal your remarks should be. There are a few basic rules to follow and the rest is just adding something of yourself or something pesonal to your unit.

How long should the incoming commander talk?

The Incoming Commander should not speak as long. This is your opportunity to say a hello to your troops, your new bosses and your colleagues and for people to know a little about who you are, but it's really the outgoing commander's show. Talk 2-3 minutes for an outdoor ceremony with formation. You can go 3-5 if its indoor, nice weather or does not include a formation. If you speak a long time (especially if the outgoing commander talked too long), people will just be waiting for you to stop speaking. You'll come off as arrogant and long-winded, and that's not the first impression you want to leave.

Commander's Introduction

Whenever you speak, someone is going to introduce you, and that may include brief remarks on who you are. If you have certain accomplishments you want highlighted or certain things you DON'T want highlighted, find out who is introducing you and tell them (or their aide if it is a superior commander), what you'd like said. Give them about two weeks notice. Have a copy of your bio and official photo ready to send to them for more.

Tips for Incoming commander chance of command speech

1. Greeting and Amenities:

Thank the person who introduced you, and recognize anyone else appropriate (Ie: the band, the color guard, the service members in formation). Greet the audience and name any specific VIPs by name. This varies by level, but typically would include the highest 2 commander's present and their spouses, plus any political or civic leaders from the community. When in doubt, ask your protocol office for help identifying who should be recognized. (30 seconds - 1 minute)

Happy to be here

Talk about how happy you are to take on this new position. It's ok to talk a little about where you're coming from and your experience. If you're returning to an installation for the second time, talk about how pleased you and your family are to have returned. Otherwise, say how you've always wanted to go there (unless it would be inappropriate or ridiculous to say so).

Talk about what a great job the outgoing commander did. Praise the unit for any big accomplishments they've had and acknowledge any big challenges that will define your command (deployments, BRAC, unit movement, new missions, etc). Finally thank your new boss for the opportunity to serve under them.

Finish up with an inspirational thought, a quote, or a funny anecdote.

Its always fine to end the speech with the base or branch motto (Ready to Lead!) or (Semper Fi) or with a simple thank you. (30 seconds - 2 minutes)

More information : We hope this page was helpful and provided you with some information about How to write a change of command or responsibilty speech for the incoming commander . Check out our main page for more articles here Can U Write .

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US Army NCO Commentary

What’s wrong with the Change of Responsibility Ceremony?

Change of responsibility ceremony.

Noncommissioned officers are expected to teach military customs, courtesies, and traditions, yet what do you do when customs and traditions either are non-standardized or are still emerging? I mean how can something be a tradition to share and hand down when it is only just now becoming mainstream? Today the Change of Responsibility Ceremony is one of those challenged traditions and it seems everyone is “rolling their own” ceremony. If you think about it, we did not even have E-9s until about 1960 and the command sergeant major program did not exist until 1968, the Army had regulations explaining what needs to be done when a Commander departs but little to nothing about when the senior NCO leaves, and that’s the way it’s always been done. It’s only been in the last 10-15 years or so that we have seen units conducting Change of Responsibility (COR) ceremonies.

The only place you can find the Change of Responsibility ceremony between an outgoing and incoming senior enlisted advisor attempted to be described in any formal Army doctrinal manual is in Appendix C of FM 7-21.13, The Soldiers Guide. My connection to this was while I was assisting the Sergeants Major Academy to update FM 7-22.7, The NCO Guide, was when the contractor wanted my okay to use my   NCO Induction Ceremony for Appendix F . At the time the Induction Ceremony was (and still pretty much is) another non-standard and emerging Army tradition, I had written a sample how-to guide a few years earlier and they wanted to use it for the manual. After I gave my approval I told them that they also need to fix was the lack of a ceremony for the COR. He explained it was too late for the NCO Guide since it was already written and they were getting my approval afterwards, but he did tell me that they would address it in the Soldier Guide.

So, according to Topsarge (me) the COR ceremony was published alright, but the “names were changed to protect the innocent.” Ahead of it in the FM is the Change of Command ceremony, a well established and historical ceremony steeped in tradition. The COR as written looks and smells a lot like that, and it appears to me that some people ain’t happy NCOs are bastardizing the Change of Command. Forming the troops, handing out the flowers and bringing flags or guidons forward are all pretty standard, but what I want to focus on in this discussion is exactly what happens when the incoming and outgoing are eye-to-eye with the commander, and something I suggest that we need to relook and solve. Some think it should be a box formation and just shuffling who stands where like the change of command. Others think it is the exchange of the Model 1840 NCO Sword that signifies the change, and the US Army Sergeants Major Academy resurrected the halberd , advocating units use that as a symbol of NCO authority and include it in CORs.

The incoming senior enlisted leader is often the victim of the outgoings whims as their predecessor usually is managing the details, along with the staff. Usually an incoming shows up a day before the ceremony, if they are lucky they get to take part in a rehearsal or two, but they are basically being told where to stand and what to do. So if they are passing flags, swords or halberds it is usually what the last guy or gal did.

The Army is a standards-based organization and when it comes to ceremonies we are usually pretty meticulous and detailed. We hold IPRs and plan out every detail, conduct rehearsals, brief back the boss. But the COR ceremony continues to be the step-child of Army ceremonies as no one seems to be and advocate for it. The Infantry Center is the proponent for TC 3-21.5: Drill and Ceremonies (formerly FM 22-5), but I don’t think they are worried too much about it. But as I attend and see pictures of change of responsibilities I continue to see everything under the sun, and they are all unique and different and there is little standardization. Just a look at a few of the photographs in this post you can easily see the variety, and the recognition that none of them are technically wrong.

The Command Sergeant Major is the keeper of the colors , and  the honor of serving as the “color sergeant” belongs to the unit’s senior enlisted member as the “keeper of the colors.”  That tradition is an inherent tradition that is well known and understood by one and all. This traces its roots to the position of Color Sergeant, the individual who on the battlefield directed the movements of a unit. The color sergeant was last seen in the US military in WWI, and they even had their own rank insignia . As such the colors are entrusted to the command sergeant major, we inherently know that, but when you use a sword there is no symbolic gesture that demonstrates it, so when does that happen? Is it at their first meeting, at the COs house, or does the commander send an email to him at the office? No, the change of responsibility is the proper time and place to relinquish the responsibility for the care of the colors, and transfer to the incoming.

Now before you shoot me for advocating the change of responsibility using unit colors, let me be clear. The box formation belongs to the commander, any bastardization of that format is a non-starter in my mind. I suggest the outgoing senior enlisted soldier forms the troops with the incoming CSM directly behind the unit colors. The outgoing CSM brings the colors forward and waits for the commander to come forward and take his post in from of the CSM. After they exchange salutes, the CSM does an about face, grabs the colors and hands them (with the colors over the commanders heart just as when he assumed command) to the commander. Then the outgoing CSM step left and takes his position NEXT to the commander (on his right), and faces about. The incoming CSM steps from around the colors and takes the place the outgoing CSM just left, and the commander hands him the colors and “entrusts” them to his care. They exchange salutes, the incoming CSM faces about and gives the colors back to the Color Guard, and the commander and the outgoing CSM march off the parade field and it’s done.

COR is about the unit, not the people who fill those positions. This is an important milestone in the unit’s history and soldiers deserve to know when their senior enlisted leaders come and go, not only know about it because a new sign is up or a chain of command photo has been swapped. Let’s get the COR written in the Training Circular and let’s have a doctrinal process that standardizes the way we mark that transition and not force leaders to guess what right looks like.

/topsarge CSM Dan Elder, USA, Retired @dandotelder

31 thoughts on “ What’s wrong with the Change of Responsibility Ceremony? ”

Dan, do you have any comments or recommendations if or should CORs be done at joint commands? Example, I will in a few months take over as the JIOC (DRU to the PACOM Cdr) Senior Enlisted Leader, however not typically a wreath wearing CSM position, but with just as much responsibility. Any feedback greatly appreciated!

Jason, though not familiar with the unit I would suggest CORs are for color bearing units, including joint commands. There are nominative sergeants majors (typical on the DA staff) who work for general officers but since those senior sergeants major are not the senior enlisted advisor of a color bearing unit, the COR that I mention is not appropriate. Conversely, I have seen sergeants major assume responsibility of certain color bearing units and they should follow the COR format. Soldiers need not be present, all you need it a color guard to pull it off. I note in the article that the COR is for the unit and not the people and I do believe that there should be some appropriate method for the senior commander to present their senior noncommissioned or petty officer to the command, on duty during an ops brief or a BUB, or socially at a hail and farewell or a right-arm night at the all-ranks club.

Thanks for the question, and for participating. -dan

CSM (R) Elder, I am currently a Battalion CSM. The last few years have seen a resurgence in the COR ceremony. I also have seen them done several ways. What I have seen and executed in the past was the box formation with the NCO sword. I beleive that most people who execute the ceremony with the sword is becsue it is a distinction between the commander and CSM. The colors “belong” to the commander, even thoug we are the keepers. The NCO Sword is a symbol of the NCOs unique responsibilities and position. I beleive we also use the box formation in order to maintain the close relationship with an established ceremony. You are correct where most Ihave seen and all I haev conducted look very similar to the change of command, with the NCO Sword being the big difference. Thank you for your thoughts and ideas. Very good discussion topic for an upcoming NCODP.

Darren, thanks for participating and engaging here, I believe the dialog is good. Though we see things differently I hope we can both agree that 1) It’s important to signify the departure and arrival of the senior NCO of a color bearing unit with a ceremony, and 2) We need one standard.

We would be very interested to hear any feedback from your NCOPD session on this, feel free to engage us when you are done.

Well done and I must say I agree with you. I have over the years seen just about everything at COR ceremony’s. But I must admit that I am surprised that it is not standardized.

In my day we used the colors for the ceremony because the CSM is the in fact the keeper of the unit colors. We made sure that it was passed along with the colors always to the left of the person on the receiving end. The idea was that it covered the heart. And that required that the passer to reverse them before passing them to the next person.

I would strongly recommend that the ceremony be standardized. I would think that best course of action would be to share this with the SMA, if you haven’t already done so. He should add it to the agenda at his next BOD meeting.

In the meantime maybe you could put something in Army Times and or NCO Journal outlining the history of the event.

Keep up the good work.

Dan, your article with pics is steel on target. I have seen and participated in CORs and they were all different. The Army is exceptionally great at having DA policy and regulations for most everything, but we are seriously lacking in the COR. Your post comes on the heels of Hagel lamenting over the lapse in ethical standards within the military. While written formal procedures for the COR will not fix the ethical issues within our military, it is a good start in instilling pride in wearing the uniform and understanding the traditions. Those help build the foundation of our values and ethics. Good post Dan!

Gregg/Dan – I agree with you both and tried to get it added to the Drill and Ceremonies manual (TC now versus FM) for these exact reasons and was unsuccessful. I also have seen numerious variations and believe it they should be consistant but still allow for organizational/proponent specific traditions. Some pass swords, others Guidons/Colors (recieved from their Commanders as the “keepers of…”), ect… As part of the Army Profession, a FY Quarter was designated for “Traditions, Customs, and Courtesies,” and I saw this as perfect timing to include this and NCO Induction Ceremonies. Unfortunately many did not seem interested in this potential change. With this being said, I will reengage on this issue for all the right reasons. My best. Chris

All standardization needs to start with a longer and more comprehensive curriculum change at the CSM designee course. This central hub could then research, collect and standardize all things that would fall under the CSM’s traditional responsibility. Currently the War College in Carlisle is bringing together CSM’s to work in tandem with their Commander’s, an initiative by the SMA. This would be something that could be worked on there as well, with support from our future Commander’s.

Greetings my fellow CSMs, having taught the first four CSM(D) classes at the academy, I tend to agree with you somewhat. Those initial classes were plagued with many growing pains. Each class was a growing experience and I believed we were not only braking new ground, but we were also spreading new seeds. I believe that the CSM program is alive and well and there is always room for improvement. Henry “Hank” Green

My first take on this issue is why are we doing CORs to begin with, but after reading your comments, it makes sense. Never thought about the CSM being entrusted with the colors and therefore the colors should officially be entrusted to the next CSM. Thanks for the article. I’m sold.

LTC Oakley, thanks for sharing your thoughts, a perspective from those who are staring at these kinds of issues daily is important to conversation. Glad to hear that you see some value in the COR and that the discussion holds water. Regards.

I am not as concerned about HOW a COR is performed than I am about WHY. One of the first lessons I learned when I entered the Army in the early 1980’s is that (command) authority can be delegated, but not (command) responsibility. If this still holds true, then only Commanders can have what could be termed “change of responsibility” ceremonies,

I have a huge amount of respect for the NCO corps and I have been fortunate to serve with some of the best in the Army, but I find this new tradition confusing and smacking of political correctness. Additionally, it is in my opinion another example of wasted time, money, effort, and manpower as CORs and Changes of Command become larger and more self-aggrandizing. While the importance of tradition should not be minimized, it should also not be used as an excuse to redirect money and assets from mission requirements, especially in these fiscally austere times.

Jeffery, I too am a retired 05, and have the same comment. I was commissioned through OCS. I was in the Reserves when General Donn Starry instituted badly needed reform in “:Sergeant’s Business”. Given NCOs are now “responsible” does that mean if the unit has too many DUIs the SGM gets relieved, not the Commander?

Awesome article Dan! I agree with your idea for the ceremony and the need for standardization. To the officers who responded. Today we have command teams and when something goes wrong they are often relieved together.

CSM Michael Crespo

Actually, I think it is a perception that commanders cannot delegate responsibility. I know we have all heard that adage that commanders can delegate authority but not responsibility, the fact is the current Army Command Policy clearly states that they can. An excerpt from AR 600-20 dated 6 Nov 2014 on pg. 6 states “Commanders are responsible for everything their command does or fails to do. However, commanders subdivide responsibility and authority and assign portions of both to various subordinate commanders and staff members. In this way, a proper degree of responsibility becomes inherent in each command echelon. Commanders delegate sufficient authority to Soldiers in the chain of command to accomplish their assigned duties, and commanders may hold these Soldiers responsible for their actions. Commanders who assign responsibility and authority to their subordinates still retain the overall responsibility for the actions of their commands.” The point is not lost on me that commanders in fact retain ultimate responsibility, but in current times commanders today delegate some measure of responsibility to their command sergeants major.

Since I have not read the regulation quoted, I will accept it as fact and ask the following: Since this subdivision of authority affects potentially all subordinate commanders and staff, would it not be appropriate to have a Change of Responsibilty ceremony when the battalion S-3 leaves, or the admin NCOIC, or the driver of the commander’so vehicle, for that matter? My point is that in the end, only the Commanders bears command responsibility. To single out just one of the many people the commander can subdivide authority to (per the regulation) seems unfair.

The COR is another rung in the entitled ladder. Granted, I’m an old Soldier who cherished every CSM I was fortunate to know, serve with and learn from, but my bet is, to a man, they would cringe at the notion of being a part of a COR. If they are to continue, there should be no ceremonies allowed at brigade or lower units. I see the impact on time and other resources that are devoted to essentially a replacement operation.

With all due respect sir, the senior NCO does share the burden of Command. Very rarely is a Commander relieved of duty without his 1SG or CSM being relieved as well. It is a very big responsibillty shared by both the commander and his senior enlisted advisor.

However, my point is more to your question about ‘Why’? In your line of thinking, if the senior NCO has a ceremony, everyone should have one. Why then, does the Commander have one? What is the original point? Based on your comments, I would believe that it is simply for the arrogance and flagrant need of the vain instead of the real reason why we have drill and ceremony in the first place. Visualization. The troops need to see that change. They need to know that the guy on the left is no longer the Commander and the guy on the right now is. Same thing with 1SG’s or CSM’s, they need to know who is responsible for their well-being. Sure, they could just look at the Command photo on the wall, but it is during the ceremony that the Soldiers get their first introduction to who will now be running the formations and taking care of company business. Visualization is a very powerful tool. That young Soldier in the back of the formation who can’t hear a thing anyway, at least can understand what is happening.

If it is about calling it a Change of ‘Responsibility’ then, call it whatever you like, but for the leaders of the unit, whether it is company or higher, hold a ceremony; not just for the officer or the senior enlisted NCO, but most importantly, for the Soldiers.

CORs are a waste of already limited resources

What is everyone thoughts on 1SG’s passing the sword and CSM’s passing the colors since CSM’s are the keeper of the colors?

I will have to agree that CORs are just vain, resource sucking wastes of time. Even as I sit in IPRs the outgoing CSM is normally treating it like a check the block chore that could other wise be forgotten about. If visualization is the key then hold a BN meeting where the outgoing CSM says goodbye and the incoming CSM explains what he expects from the Soldiers and NCOs. The Soldiers would get more out of that, being somewhat comfortable, then standing at attention in the hot sun or cold trying to listen to a narrator and not really being able to see the new CSM anyway. Meanwhile all the weak Soldiers are busy making the whole thing look even worse by passing out and getting dragged away by the medics. Also all the Soldiers and NCOs doing the best they can to get out of it while the BN S-3 NCOIC is pulling his/her hair out because the BC expects there to be a significant amount of the unit present because everyone THINKS this should happen. If I could call some of you out I would bet that when it was announced that CORs will start taking place, I was a young PFC, some if not all of you rolled your eyes in disgust and some if not all of you laughed and made “Poor CSM doesn’t get a ceremony” jokes. I know it happened because most of the NCOs in my motor pool did just that. Some of this is my opinion but most of this is fact.

I absolutely disagree with COR ceremonies. There is not a CSM anywhere that has command authority, yet that is what they are seeking equivalence of. There is not a CSM anywhere that has to answer to a higher command for the unit’s performance or be held accountable for any disappearance of Army property as the actual commander does. They have no UCMJ authority. Yet they like to think they are general’s themselves. Even a CSM has to salute the lowest ranking lieutenant by military law. While they partner with their commander they are not commanders, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the commander. This was never a tradition until just a few years back. So all this COR ceremony crap is someone trying to elevate their own self-importance and inflate their perceived authority.

HARRUMPH!!!!

A lot of “they”‘s in there, as if you are speaking of one or two specific people. Sam, if you mean they as in all the soldiers serving in command sergeant major billets or they as in the collective corps of CSMs, I would disagree that “they” think of themselves as generals (or the rank of the commander they serve). Are there examples of CSMs who act like their shit don’t stink, or feel they have more power than allowed? Hell yes, that is in every case, I have seen colonels with aides and LTCs GOVs sporting vehicle plates, yet neither is authorized. I suggest institutionally, your accusations are just that, there is no coven of E-9s plotting the take-over of unjustly earned rights and privileges.

I suggest that traditions have to start somewhere. When I joined the Army when the Cassion Song played people just sat and listened to it, nowadays any time a soldier hears the song they stand up at attention and proudly sing, it is a relatively new tradition. Just like CORs are a new tradition.

Hello, so which layout would one use for the COR?

I would like to see the Army approve a COR ceremony that included the unit colors. The CSM is the “keeper” of the colors and it makes sense to me that the outgoing CSM should relinquish the unit colors to the commander, who then in turn entrusts the care of the colors to the incoming CSM.

I don’t believe we need yet another dog and pony show. I’ve heard plenty of leaders complain about not having enough time to conduct training along with mandatory training requirements. If this is the case then why are we talking about adding another ceremony that Soldiers have to be taken away from training our regular business to stand in a field for? I was put in a 1SG seat and all I did was an introduction with expectations after an accountability formation. CORs are a waste of time and resources and if you cannot see that then I believe you are probably a toxic leader looking for more recognition than is required to conduct business.

What I hear is discipline, units have it or they don’t. Everyone knows good darn and well the military is full of bellyachers and poor leaders mainly because of a lack of mentorship. To the Sirs I appreciate your comment but this is not Officer business, We NCO’s have given you to much control because we have failed to do our jobs thus you have to do it for us. Those of you whimpering about a waste of money and time that is pure nonsense how often do you have this ceremony and it lasts about 1 hour counting rehearsals. You spend/waste more than that everyday/month huddled around your equipment during PMCS and still can’t figure out how to fill out a 59688-E correctly. Yes there needs to be a standard and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come up with one and call it a day. If I have offended anyone I really don’t care because you probably are a great person but suck as a Soldier.

Question for the group. Recently a BG (Commandant) was given an Change of Responsibility ceremony. So the debate began of who gets a Change of Command (CoC) vs a Change of Responsibility (CoR). Of course there was two sides who entrenched themselves. One side was of the thought that CoC is for Officers (Commanding or Flagged), and Senior NCO (Company 1SG and BN CSM and above) received a COR when they departed. The other side thoughts were that non-commanding officers also receive a CoR. It is a good debate question since there are no defining regulations or doctrine that outlines this. I was curious of your thoughts? Thanks you.

An interesting side note is that those who serve as GO/SES at Program Executive Offices (PEO) they conduct a Change of Charter. With that said, I feel that a change of responsibility is for those who are not in command, but do have a formal responsibility role. I wonder about the Senior Warrant Officer of the Army, I bet he or she also have a change of responsibility?

Love the column (even though I am viewing it four years later)… Love your perspective. Love the tradition of it. Wish it was codified in doctrine somewhere.

I would imagine that SMA gets some semblance of a CoR. FORSCOM and TRADOC CSM as well. I’d even venture to say that the SEAC has some sort of ceremony which acknowledges his/her service. Why, then, can we not form some sort of baseline for this ceremony? I read where CSM Greca shared these sentiments in 2014 — and then went on to ascend to stratospheric heights — but couldn’t affect change. Why?

At any rate, I can also look at the flip-side and acknowledge where these ceremonies can be viewed as ego-driven and ego-feeding. As unfortunate as it is, the reality is that there most definitely is a ‘shadow government’ who are very fond of empire building. In addition, I also see where ‘Command Warrant Officers’ are beginning to pop up in command groups. The aviation units here on Fort Hood already have their names on signs out in front of their HQ buildings. “Command Warrant Officer So-and-So.” I know that this is a logical fallacy of the slippery slope variety, but who’s next? Primary staff officers? Special staff? And, as stated above, how long until we all stand in a C(ommand)WO CoR ceremony?

Anyways, sorry to bring up an old topic, but I found your article very interesting and wondered if there was any development?

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General Robert E. Lee Goodwin Outlines How to Write an Effective Change of Command Speech

General Robert E. Lee Goodwin III

General Robert E. Lee Goodwin on how to write an effective change-of-command speech. Either leaving command or assuming command your speech should be impactful.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, October 21, 2021 / EINPresswire.com / -- A lousy speech during the change of command ceremony would stand out like a sore thumb. Everything in the ceremony is determined by crisp, precise military action, full of dignity and courtesy. Tradition determines most of these acts leaving little room for a personalized approach by participants, except for the speech. A speech that is way out of tune with the crispness of the ceremony would be a mess. Many commanders are well-practiced in the art of public speaking, but you may be caught up with preparations. That may leave you out of time to prepare, but we have some suggestions to help you fashion a good one fast whether you are going or assuming command. In this article, General Robert E. Lee Goodwin outlines writing an effective change of command speech.

LEAVING COMMAND

Thank all attendees for coming to the ceremony but welcome all significant people in attendance by name, including Sergeant Majors and General officers. Whether you will mention all of their names will be determined by how many of them are present. The speech shouldn’t be more than 8-10 minutes regardless of the attendees present.

Always welcome your commanding officer by name and mention other people who stand out. They could be war heroes who stand out, etc.

Mention the virtues of honor, duty, and sacrifice using some of the soldiers who served under you to give context. You can mention any of them who fell or were wounded in the line of duty.

Talk about your command without blowing your own trumpet. It is advisable to use the perspective of the soldiers who served under you on this point. Mention people who made significant contributions to the success of your command.

Thank the soldiers along the chain of command and your family. Mention your spouse and family by name.

ASSUMING COMMAND

According to General Robert E. Lee Goodwin , as an incoming commander, your speech should be short. It is not time for you to outline your ‘manifesto,’ you will have time for that with your soldiers later. Give the outgoing commander more time to speak as this is their last time; they have more to reminisce- your speech shouldn’t be longer than 2-3 minutes.

Welcome the guest sparingly. By the time you rise to speak, at least two other speakers will have received the guest, so it will be unnecessary to mention the entire list, but the following are a must mention.

Your superiors for allowing you to serve in your new capacity and the outgoing commander and their family for their service. Wish them success in their new posting, and no matter how much you disagree with their way of doing things, don’t even consider mentioning it.

Thank the squadron you are joining for allowing you to be part of the team and express that you intend to work with them. Now under your command, the soldiers probably had nothing to do with your posting, but your leadership will only be successful if they feel part of the team. Make sure to remind them that they are.

Thank your family for their support so far and for agreeing to support you in your new posting.

Rehearse your speech several times before delivery and ensure you have a backup copy in case you misplace the main one.

About General Robert E. Lee Goodwin

General Robert E. Lee Goodwin previously served as a special advisor to the Governor of Missouri, Governor of Alabama, and both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. He had a distinguished military career as a volunteer and served as a state-commissioned Major General (Title 32 USC and Title 25, Code of Laws of South Carolina) in the Joint Services Detachment of the South Carolina Military Department assigned to the Office of the Adjutant General.

General Goodwin’s military leadership education includes completion of the U.S. Army General Officer Installation Commander Course, and PME courses at National Defense University, Army War College, Army Management Staff College, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Inter-American Defense College, and the United Nations Institute.

General Goodwin’s decorations and honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/OLC, Order of the Palmetto, Palmetto Cross, Conspicuous Service Medal, and the Freedom of the City of London.

The information contained in this biographical summary is accurate and verifiable by legal documentation.

For more information, please visit https://www.generalrobertgoodwin.com/ .

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Helping you read the right things….

The Change Of Command Speech – A twist on the “thank everyone I know” Speech

With 20 years of Naval Service under my belt, I’ve attended many, many change of command speeches. Some good, some not so, but they all follow a typical pattern.  The Presiding Officer first talks; he first thanks the crowd, distinguished guests, former CO, ongoing and off going Commanders and the team who got arrived at 0600 to set up the venue. The off-going Commander, who should be the most thankful person in the room for his successful command tour then steps up and takes the pulpit. He thanks the guest, his extended family, wife and kids, personal guests, his Command, the Chiefs, Petty Officers, Officers, his Commodore, the Commodores staff, and on and on and on. Finally, the oncoming Commander takes the floor. By this time the crowd feels plenty thanked. In my three for four minutes that the oncoming Commander has allotted for a Change of Command speech, I decided to do things a bit differently. Rather than spending the first 3 minutes of my speech thanking individuals, I intend on spending my short time on the stage expressing appreciation for the specific mentorship and personal development energy that others put into me.   The intention is that I am not only expressing appreciation, but I am encouraging my guests to develop others using my personal development as an example.

<<<SMILE>>>>

Thank you, It is an honor to be here……

When thinking about today there are two terms that I use and frequently come back to.

“ I am blessed”  – and   “It is an Honor to serve ”.

And it is truly an honor of a lifetime to be in the Navy as a Naval Officer , be in command in San Diego in February .     Smile, Wait  laugh…

As I look out at the audience there are so many people that contributed, either in a large or small way to this point.

While I would love to spend the next hour, two hours, or more going down the list and specifically calling them out by name and deed, unfortunately time precludes that.

Rather I want to focus on some specific deeds that I am most grateful for. Deeds that were not only pivotal in my personal and professional development; but that can be applied to the next Midshipman Smith, Ensign Smith, or LT Smith.

• I so appreciate those people who prayed for me.
• I’d like to thank those precious few people who sat down with me and gave me honest, hard and critical feedback. Those hard discussions have been game changers in my professional development.
• They did that not based on anything I did, or what they saw in me but based on their character and their commitment to invest in individuals
• Have you know…. I have a much better answer now

Two  Specific Thanks:

To the woman who raised me – My mother

To the woman who made me a better man – my wife

I am truly humbled…..

Now, for all those people above that helped me get to where I am today, the only thing I can offer you in return is more hard work.   Keep it up. Starting today I need your  help even more now.

Jason/Don/Chris/Clint – Keep it up, push me to be a better man

Mom and Dad – Keep it up

Mentors/Coaches/Ricks/AGC/XO – Keep it up, keep me accountable , honest , and push me to excellence .

And when I’m gone, go find someone else. Go find the next the next MIDN, ENS, LT Laney, and go pour yourself into and develop that person

What you did worked for me and I would be very grateful if you continue that work and pass it on.

Please pass that on. I am so grateful for the above examples

Thank you, it is an honor to be here and an honor to serve….

<<< Smile, Pause, Exit>>>>

If you need some additional resources for your military change of command speech below are two additional links. The first one is far superior to the second and contains a standard template for a Change Of Command Speech.

• The Military Leader – How to write a change of command speech
• Can U Write – Incoming change of command speech

Example Change of Command Speeches:

• General Martin Dempsey – 2019 TRANSCOM off going change of command speech
• General Robert Kehler – 2011 STRATCOM oncoming change of Command speech
• Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider – 2019 US FORCES Japan Change of command Speech
• Gen. Brooks – United States Forces Korea Change of command speech .
• Secretary Mattis – 2018 SOUTHCOM Change of command ceremony speech
• Admiral Harry Harris – 2018 Pacific Fleet Change of command speech
• General William Shelton – 2011 Air Force Space Command oncoming change of command speech

If you have a Military Change of Command speech, either oncoming or off going, that you would like to share with the DODReads audience please drop us a line and let us know. We would love to hear your perspective.

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How to Give a Change of Command Speech

The change of command ceremony is a special event in a military officer's career. It represents the bookends of closing one chapter in the outgoing commander's life and the beginning of a chapter for the incoming commander. Your time in command will be one of the most challenging and rewarding times in your career and also for your family. Below I humbly offer some guidance to help you craft your speeches, advice for the incoming and outgoing commander. Use them to help you tailor your own speech.

What is the Protocol?

What do you remember from your time attending a previous change of command? Nothing? Great, now you know what most of the folks are going to think about your speech. Let's answer some of your questions below.

I have an Air Force perspective, so I can't answer if the other services do it differently. There is another great website from an Army perspective by a good friend, here . However, from an Air Force perspective, whose day is this? It is the out-going commander's ceremony , their award presentation, and it is the incoming commander's receiving line. As such, the out-going commander who has poured their heart and soul into the previous two years gets to have the longer remarks. However, no matter your role as the incoming or outgoing commander, make it short and sweet and move on.

What do I say?

I'm the out-going commander, what do i say.

You have great latitude here. No one wants a long ceremony. Your speech should last no more than 10 minutes. There is a twist on the J.A. Konrath quote, "If you can't be smart or funny, be brief." For giving speeches, "Be funny, be brief, be gone. But if you can't be funny--be brief." Humor will instill in the audience the grace to entertain your speech for a bit longer, but not much. Also, you are not a stand-up comedian, you are a commander. This is your chance to express gratitude and perhaps some wisdom with humor, not the other way around. Gratitude is the order of the day. It is a privilege to lead others and for them to be in your care. Even if it was difficult, you will likely be someone they never forget.

I remember all of my commanders, although some had less impact than others. However, none of their impact came from their change of command speech, either incoming or outgoing. Some thoughts to consider:

• Thank the distinguished visitors and the leadership for their attendance. Use names as appropriate. Do not forget to identify and thank General Officers in attendance as they have taken time out of their schedule to honor the office you occupy and your service.
• Thank the unit for their efforts
• Do tell stories from the unit to illustrate your points (adversity, tragedy, levity), incorporate or leave names anonymous as appropriate.
• Do not forget to thank your spouse . I have too many stories from Colonel and General Officer spouses who point out they were forgotten in the speeches.

I'm the Incoming Commander, What do I say?

The incoming commander has the easiest speech. It should take no more than 4 minutes.

It is five Thank You's and a Transition:

• First, thank the distinguished visitors and special guests in attendance.
• Second, thank the person who hired you . You wouldn't really be there if it wasn't for them. It is a privilege to lead others and they made it happen.
• Third, thank the out-going commander for their leadership and their hospitality.
• Fourth, thank those who helped make the ceremony happen . This would be the project officer who organized the ceremony, proffers, secretaries, and those who helped decorate for the event.
• Lastly, thank your family . If your parents are in attendance, it would make sense to thank them for their efforts in raising you and instilling in you the values and behaviors that have made you successful. Thank your children, because they likely had to move and have moved a number of times. Their sacrifice, albeit unwillingly for some, is important to acknowledge. Our children have a burden put upon them as being "The Commander's Kids" with increased scrutiny at a time when they are making mistakes trying to figure life out. It is similar, although arguably less scrutinized, to a pastor's children. Save your spouse for last. They are going to be a close confidant, an encourager, a truth-teller, and a family stabilizer. You will work long hours, with late night interruptions and they will be the one to keep the house together. A pre-emptive thank you for their sacrifices is always warranted. This is a baseline and not to mention if they had to give up a successful career, certification, schooling, or family to follow you around the globe to support you in your leadership role. Although spouses are not in uniform, they serve the country in pretty profound ways and with mostly thanklessness from the Air Force.

One quick story on the benefit of leadership spouses. It was my Group Commander's wife who babysat my first-born son during a time of my wife transitioning out of the service. It was another leadership spouse who helped my wife after she went back into the hospital days after having our son. It is their kindness, now more than a decade later, that we still have eternal gratitude.

• After the five Thank You's, you need a transition to get off stage . It is awkward if you simply say thank you and walk away. There needs to be a transition for what is next: the work. One practical suggestion is to say you look forward to working with everyone, or getting to work, or that you hope to meet everyone in the coming days.

Shouldn't the Incoming Commander lay out expectations or give the troops insight into how you lead?

No. This is not the point or the forum. You can save that for a Commander's Call you will have in the next 30 days after you have a clue what is going on in the unit. You still shouldn't think you know everything after those 30 days. You will hear rules of thumb spanning 60-120 days before you understand the unit or units well enough to decide where to focus. This is the subject of another post.

Bottomline : This is a ceremony honoring the out-going commander; pay respect and gratitude for the honor you have been given and then exit the stage.

I wish you well during your command and your next endeavor.

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Additional Resources

The Military Leader

Change of Command Sample Script

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1st Medical Brigade Hosts a Change of Responsibility Ceremony [Image 2 of 9]

FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

Photo by pfc. josefina garcia  , 7th mobile public affairs detachment.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Shavonda C. Devereaux, the incoming 1st Medical Brigade command sergeant major for 1st Medical Brigade, gives a speech during a change of responsibility ceremony at Sadowski Field, Fort Cavazos, Texas, Dec. 7, 2023. The change of responsibility ceremony symbolizes the relinquishment of responsibility from one senior noncommissioned officer to another. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Josefina Garcia)

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