According to plan, I should be posting a blog with the results of my challenges, the second of which I completed in Augusta yesterday afternoon. The captions are written, the photos are toned, and quite frankly, I'm bored with it. And it's my blog, so I'm gonna do what I wanna do. So there.
This morning, I was back in my element, my favorite - or close to - my favorite place to be. My prey was a formation of soldiers again. Matt's best friend, Beka, took command of an AIT (Advanced Individual Training) company this morning, and I lugged my camera bag along to document the momentous occasion. It was a little different from the Change of Command ceremony I've covered before, but according to a trusted source, an officer or two mistook me for the PAO (Public Affairs Officer.) Beaming Smiley Face.
My last Change of Command Ceremony was the Sergeant Major of Cadet Command at Fort Knox. It was my first official event as a PAO Intern, it was indoors, and I had the reigns. Or most of them anyway. This time it was Captains switching Company Command, I was a civilian spectator, it was freezing, and I had to sit. And stay. Which is a challenge for me with no treat to balance on my nozzle at the same time. Combo the sit-and-stay command with the frigid 34 degrees, and I can't say the series are my best. They're all the same angle, and I was battling early morning overcast on a 300mm with my shivering body. In some cases the shivering body won. But I still had fun, and I'm looking forward to Matt's Change of Command in February, this time armed with a couple tips from today's experience.
Apprehensive smiles. Captain Rebekah Vaughan (don't forget the second "A"), readies for the ceremony.
Beka's dad was borrowing a camera that shoots with a manual lens (ack!). I was surprised, but he said it's what he's used to, and that all of the lenses to his 35mm film camera are manual focus. He's a brave soul.
Beka introduced her mom and Matt to Private Garlick, who was given the honor of presenting the yellow budding roses to Beka's mom, and was recently accepted to USMA West Point, Beka and Matt's Alma Mater.
Beka's right hand man, First Sergeant Gonzales, leads her soldiers in the ceremony. As Company Sergeant, the First Sergeant is in charge of Echo Company's Platoon Sergeants.
A collection of Beka's young soldiers were given a variety of duties at the ceremony, including detail (who set up the reception), presentation of roses, and distribution of programs. Various duties like these teach the soldiers how much work goes into ceremonies, building discipline and respect.
The program, featuring the former Company Commander and the new Company Commander. Captain Kimbrell relinquished command to Captain Vaughan to pursue a Master's Degree and Teaching stint at USMA West Point. Ironically, it's the same path both of my own USMA Alums plan to follow when they finish their jobs at Fort Gordon.
Echo Company's XO (Executive Officer), First Lieutenant Hur, was the voice of the ceremony, introducing various points of the process, as well as reading the bios of both captains. For those of you less Army-lingo savvy, an XO serves as the commander's other right hand man, helping to keep things organized and learning the ropes of command so they may be prepared when they are promoted to such a position.
Command stand at Parade Rest during the Army Song.
Roses are presented to the families of both captains, each symbolizing the path of command, and thanking the families for the sacrifices they must make for a successful command.
The process of passing the guidon begins. The Guidon of each company is an honored representation of the company's accomplishments. In ancient times, warriors would return home with the flags of their enemies to signify their victories. The tradition has been continued, donning the honor of carrying The Guidon to a soldier that represents every aspect of The Army Values.
The Passing of the Guidon signifies the official moment that the previous commander steps down, literally passing the weight, honor, and responsibility of command to their successor, via an honored higher-ranking officer. Having a third party pass the Guidon from commander to commander symbolizes the reliability of command - that no matter what happens, someone will always be there to protect and direct the soldiers.
That's it! Captain Rebekah Vaughan just took command!
On the walk back to their starting point, Beka and Captain Kimbrell cross over behind the Lieutenant Colonel, switching positions so that Beka now stands in the rank of Company Commander. When facing the company, she will stand at the right hand of Lt Col Manning.
Battalion Commander Lt Col Manning welcomes Beka and wishes Cpt Kimbrell well.
Cpt Kimbrell thanks all those who made his command possible, including a tear-jerking appreciation of his father, who "taught him how to be a man, father, and son."
Beka's "one minute speech, give or take four seconds." We were grateful for her brief, but complete speech, all of us listening with visions of scarves and pigs in blankets dancing in our heads.
Beka salutes former command...
... and makes her first command. "Sound off, wolf pack!"
And so they howled.
Irrelevant, perhaps, but I couldn't help it. She's just so darn cute!
I promise I will actually post the results to my challenges next week, along with a promised tutorial on paper effects in photoshop. For now, however, I have a run to catch up on, mushrooms to stuff, and a nap to take. Have a wonderful weekend!
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