Change of Command Remarks for the Presiding Officer
As the presiding or reviewing officer, you usually speak first and briefly, about three to seven minutes. Welcome guests, explain why the tradition matters, credit the outgoing commander with specifics and thank their family, welcome the incoming commander, and hand the ceremony back to the commanders. Keep the spotlight on them.
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Your role as presiding officer
The presiding officer (Navy) or reviewing officer (Army, Marine Corps; the Air Force often says presiding official) is usually the next higher commander. You have two jobs at the ceremony:
- Transfer command: receive the colors or guidon from the outgoing commander and pass them to the incoming commander, or witness the reading of orders and the formal relief
- Give remarks: frame the day, honor the outgoing commander and family, and welcome the incoming commander
You are the host's guest of honor, not the headliner. The outgoing commander's farewell is the emotional center of the ceremony, and the incoming commander's first words matter to the unit.
When you speak
When the presiding or reviewing officer gives remarks, they normally come before the outgoing and incoming commanders. Where that falls depends on the service:
- Army: in a review with change of command, remarks typically follow the passing of the colors, in the order reviewing officer, outgoing commander, incoming commander.
- Navy: the presiding officer usually speaks and presents any award first. The outgoing commander then speaks and reads the orders of detachment, the incoming commander reads the orders and says “I relieve you, sir” (or ma'am), and the outgoing commander answers “I stand relieved.”
Your unit's run sheet is the final word. The Army's drill and ceremonies manual and the Naval History and Heritage Command describe the traditional sequence.
How long to speak
Plan on three to seven minutes, about 450 to 1,000 words. Some installations cap the commanders' remarks, for example five minutes for the outgoing commander and three for the incoming, and expect the senior officer to set the example. If the troops are standing in formation, shorter is kinder.
A 5-part structure
- Welcome ~30 secondsDistinguished guests, families, the unit in formation. Thank the hosts who planned the ceremony.
- Why the tradition matters ~30 secondsOne or two sentences on the public transfer of responsibility. Your guests may be seeing it for the first time.
- The outgoing commander ~2–3 minutesOne or two specific stories about how they led, plus results the unit will recognize. Thank their spouse and family by name.
- The incoming commander ~1 minuteWelcome them and their family, say what they bring, and express confidence in front of the unit.
- A word to the unit ~30 secondsThank the people in formation and hand back to the narrator.
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Example: presiding officer remarks
Remarks by a brigade commander at a battalion change of command (about 4 minutes)
Good morning. Distinguished guests, Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, families and friends: thank you for being here.
Change of command is one of our oldest traditions for a reason. In a few minutes you'll watch responsibility for this battalion pass from one leader to another, in public, so every Soldier in this formation knows exactly who is accountable for them. It's simple, and it matters.
Lieutenant Colonel Ward, two years ago you took command of a battalion that was short on people and long on taskings. You didn't fix that with a slogan. You fixed it one platoon at a time: you were in the motor pool on Saturday mornings, at the range when the weather turned, and in the hospital the night one of your Soldiers was hurt in training. The readiness numbers improved, but what I'll remember is that your Soldiers trusted you to show up.
Megan, thank you. Command is a family assignment. You led the family readiness group through a deployment and two hurricane evacuations, and this battalion is stronger for it.
Lieutenant Colonel Brooks, welcome to you, Anna and the boys. You come to us with a reputation for building teams and telling the truth, which are the two things this battalion needs most. You inherit a great unit. I have every confidence in you.
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion: you made your commander look good, and you'll do the same for the next one. Thank you. Let's get on with the ceremony.
Names, units and details are fictional. Adapt the terms (colors, guidon, orders) to your service and the scale to your unit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Reading the outgoing commander's bio. It's in the program, and the award citation covers the accomplishments.
- Making it about your own command. A sentence about the higher unit is fine; a briefing is not.
- Setting the incoming commander's agenda. Express confidence; leave priorities to them.
- Running long with troops in formation. Practice with a timer.
- Sensitive details. Leave out classified material and operational specifics, especially with a public audience.
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Frequently asked questions
Who speaks first at a change of command?
How long should the presiding officer speak?
What is the difference between the presiding officer and the reviewing officer?
Should the presiding officer present an award to the outgoing commander?
What should the presiding officer say to the incoming commander?
What words formally transfer command?
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