Oklahoma Wing Flight Conducts Cadet Change of Command Ceremony
OKLAHOMA WING FLIGHT CONDUCTS CADET CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY
by 1st Lt. Brandon Lunsford, Sr, CAP, Oklahoma Wing
(L-R) Outgoing cadet commander, Cadet Lt. Col. Bailey Lunsford and incoming cadet commander, Cadet 2nd Lt. Jeremiah Groves pictured at Riverside Flight’s Change of Command Ceremony (Photo 2nd Lt. Briana Lunsford, CAP, Oklahoma Wing )
TULSA, Okla. – On October 14, 2019, Cadet Lt. Col. Bailey Lunsford, of Tulsa, Okla., handed over cadet command of Riverside Flight's cadet squadron to Cadet 2d Lt Jeremiah Groves, of Grove, Okla.
"Over the last five years, I have watched Groves grow into an excellent leader," outgoing Cadet Commander Lunsford, said. "I have no doubt he will command the cadet squadron well."
The tradition of the change of command goes back to the time of the Roman Legions, when the passing of the commander's baton occurred in front of the troops, so that they would witness the leader who would take them into battle. In the late 18th century, the Continental Army resumed the tradition in the Unites States. This ceremony was practiced even before the Air Force became a separate branch of the United States military.
According to Air Force Pamphlet (AFP) 34-1202, “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 AFP also stresses the importance of the flag or guidon exchange as follows: “The flag/guidon is exchanged during the change of command as a symbolic gesture providing a tangible view of the command authority being transferred from one commander to the next.”
“I am looking forward to this next chapter for not only myself but for my unit,” said Cadet 2nd Lt. Jeremiah Groves, the incoming cadet commander. “There are a lot of passionate cadet noncommissioned officers in this unit and a lot of cadet airmen eager to continue learning.”
Follow the adventures of Riverside Flight at Facebook.com/RiversideOK.CAP.
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Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force’s Total Force. In this role, CAP operates a fleet of 560 aircraft, performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of more than 80 lives annually. CAP’s 66,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. In addition, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace/STEM education, and its members serve as mentors to over 28,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs. Visit www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com or www.CAP.news for more information.
