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Change of Command Script

COMM SUPPORT: Plays background music

NARRATOR: "DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TODAY THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE __________________________ SAY GOOD-BYE TO ___________________________ UPON HIS/HER DEPARTURE AS COMMANDER AND WELCOME ______________________________ AS THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE _____________________________."

NARRATOR: "THE PRESIDING OFFICER (PO) FOR TODAY’S IS _______________, COMMANDER, _________________, ________________, _________________."

NARRATOR: "THE CEREMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE IS A TIME—HONORED TRADITION IN THE MILITARY WHICH VISIBLY ASSURES CONTINUITY OF COMMAND. THIS IS SYMBOLICALLY REPRESENTED BY THE UNIT FLAG BEING PASSED FROM ____________________ TO ___________________ WHO THEN GIVES IT TO _______________. "

NARRATOR: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE RISE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE CEREMONIAL PARTY, THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS, THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, AND THE INVOCATION."

PO & COMMANDERS: March from waiting area (sequence is PO, Outgoing Commander followed by Incoming Commander). They move to the stage and position themselves in front of the three seats on stage. Comm Suport plays marching music as PO and Commanders enter.

PO: Gives appropriate facing movement (quietly) so he and Commanders are facing the audience.

PO: "PRESENT THE COLORS".

HONOR GUARD: Marches forward to a position in front of the stage.

COMM SUPPORT: Plays National Anthem.

HONOR GUARD: Following the National Anthem, gives whatever commands are required to move the colors to the rear.

NARRATOR: "CHAPLAIN _____________, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD, AND PRESENT THE INVOCATION."

CHAPLAIN: Comes forward to podium and presents invocation. Following invocation returns to his/her seat.

NARRATOR: "THANK YOU CHAPLAIN ___________________."

NARRATOR: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE BE SEATED."

AWARD BEARER: Comes on stage with medal and citation, stands to left and rear of PO, facing the audience.

NARRATOR: Reads outgoing Commander's decoration citation.

NARRATOR: "___________________ WILL NOW EXECUTE THE CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR THE ____________________."

PO: "OFFICERS POST." (Quietly) and does a left face.

COMMANDERS: On the command "POST" execute a right face.

FIRST SGT: On command of "OFFICERS POST", walks onto the state carrying the unit guidon and takes a position behind and between the PO and the outgoing Commander.

NARRATOR: "_________________ IS RELIEVED FROM DUTY AS COMMANDER ___________________, __________________, ________________, EFFECTIVE ___________________.

FIRST SGT: Hands the unit guidon to the outgoing Commander.

OUTGOING CC: Hands the unit guidon to the PO.

PO: Hands the unit guidon to the First Sergeant (officer's hands always on top of NCO).

OUTGOING CC: Salutes the PO and says, "SIR, I RELINQUISH MY COMMAND."

PO: Returns the salute.

OUTGOING CC: Takes one step left, two steps back, and one step to the right. This places him/her in the space previously occupied by the incoming Commander.

INCOMING CC: When outgoing Commander steps left and back, the incoming Commander moves forward. This places him/her in the space previously occupied by the outgoing Commander.

NARRATOR: "ATTENTION TO ORDERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, SPECIAL ORDER ________________, SUBJECT: CHANGE OF COMMAND, DATED ___________ ASSIGNS _________________, AS COMMANDER _________, _______________, _______________, EFFECTIVE _____________."

INCOMING CC: Salutes the PO and says, "SIR, I ASSUME COMMAND."

PO: Returns the salute.

FIRST SGT: Hands the unit guidon to the PO.

PO: Hands the unit guidon to the incoming Commander.

INCOMING CC: Accepts the unit guidon and then hands it to the First Sergeant.

FIRST SGT: Takes the unit guidon, executes an about face and moves to a position off the stage.

PO: Gives "OFFICERS POST." (Quietly) and does a right face. The Commanders on the command post do a left face.

NARRATOR: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE BE SEATED."

NARRATOR: Introduces the PO by name, rank, position, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ____________, _______________, ___________."

COMMANDERS: Sit down in the seats provided.

PO: Approaches the podium for remarks. At the conclusion of his/her remarks, he/she returns to their seat.

NARRATOR: "THANK YOU ________________________."

NARRATOR: Introduces the outgoing Commander, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, _____________."

OUTGOING CC: Approaches the podium for remarks. At the conclusion of his/her remarks, he/she returns to their seat.

NARRATOR: "THANK YOU _____________________________."

NARRATOR: Introduces the outgoing Commander's spouse, "MRS/MR. _____________, WILL YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD. MRS/Mr. ____________WILL NOW PRESENT FLOWERS (or appropriate gift) FROM THE _______________ TO the incoming Commander's spouse MRS/MR. _______________."

NARRATOR: "THANK YOU MRS. ______________________________."

NARRATOR: Introduces the incoming Commander, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, _______________, COMMANDER, _______________________,"

INCOMING CC: Approaches the podium for remarks. At the conclusion his/her remarks, he/she returns to their seat.

NARRATOR: "THANK YOU ____________________________."

NARRATOR: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN , WOULD YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLAYING OF THE AIR FORCE SONG AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE DEPARTURE OF THE CEREMONIAL PARTY."

COMM SUPPORT: Plays Air Force song.

PO: Gives the appropriate facing movement (Quietly) to face the way of departure.

PO: Depart the stage. PO followed by the incoming Commander and outgoing Commander...they join with their spouses who are in VIP seats. Entire ceremonial party departs the area.

NARRATOR: "WE THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY. YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO JOIN US IN WELCOMING _____________ AT A RECEPTION LOCATED IN/AT _________________."

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Page added on: 27 July 2007