Change of command

A change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one <a href="/facts/Commanding_officer/awHJqMaE">commanding</a> or <a href="/facts/Flag_officer/D3KnfmFU">flag officer</a> to another. The passing of <a href="/facts/Colours%2c_standards_and_guidons/ocDuaydj">colors</a>, <a href="/facts/War_flag/xUaCReTs">standards</a>, or <a href="/facts/Ensign_(flag)/V0GhTusB">ensigns</a> from an outgoing commander to an incoming one ensures that the unit and its soldiers is never without official leadership, a continuation of trust, and also signifies an allegiance of soldiers to their unit's commander.
Great symbolism is attached to the ceremonial aspects of a change of command. An inspection and review of soldiers, <a href="/facts/21_gun_salute/AyLBTnHd">gun salutes</a>, as well as a <a href="/facts/Military_band/mEGrpnb8">military band</a> will often be incorporated into the ceremony. On the <a href="/facts/International_Space_Station/VNPUBz9m">International Space Station</a>, the new and old commanders ring a bell.
For a Command Sergeant Major, the transferred item might be a saber during a Change of Responsibility, while for a Chaplain, the item might be the passing of a <a href="/facts/Stole_(vestment)/J7byH4wR">Clerical Stole</a>.

Change of command open-in-new

Change of command