By Aly Miranda
“When a change of command was to take place, the flag was passed to the individual assuming the command. This gesture was accomplished in front of the unit so that all you could see and witness their new leader assuming dutiful position. He who held the flag also held the soldiers’ allegiance.”
In front of the JROTC building, on Oct. 11, from 6-7 p.m., all four companies (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta) saluted all the company commanders, corporals and sergeants on becoming officials.
“This is a formal ceremony where we recognize commanders and senior leaders have taken charge and responsibility of the cadets,” Col. Robert Foutz said.
During this event, the sequence of events was the Formation of the Troops (all four companies come out for the audience to see), Presentation and Honors (the presentation of commanders, corporals and sergents), Assumption of Command (the presentation of all four new leaders of their companies), Words of Encouragement (the new commander giving words of encouragement to the new company leader while giving the JROTC flag to them), Pass In Review (all four companies marching in front of the audience to present themselves and new leaders) and Closing Words.
“It’s pretty much making everyone and their title and position ‘official’, in this ceremony,” Let. 1 Private Cadet Ivet Miranda, DATA freshman said.
This ceremony has been taking place since the 18th century, rooted in military history, during the reign of Fredrick the Great of Prussia.
“What happens is the handing down the rank from old cadets to the new cadets and higher ranks given to exemplary leaders,” Let. 2 Cadet, Staff Sergeant, Nick Noble, DATA sophomore said.
“This symbolic tradition has survived throughout military history.”