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315 SFS changes leadership

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Bobby Pilch
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Airmen assigned to the 315th Security Forces Squadron and wing leadership here attended the change of command ceremony of outgoing commander, Maj. Shawn M. Swarz, and incoming commander, Capt. Jeffery E. Gabor, at the base theater Saturday.

History reveals that in the Middle Ages it was not uncommon for the soldiers in the field to be unaware of  who their commanders were or what they looked like.  The formal Change of Command afforded these troops the opportunity to witness the proceedings and actually see their commanders.  The Continental Army of the United States conducted the first official ceremonies in America.  This is the basis from which the present ceremony is derived.

Today, the primary purpose of the Change of Command is to allow subordinates to witness the formal transfer of total responsibility from one officer to another.  The passing of the guidon, symbolizes the passing of authority from the outgoing commander to the new commander.  These ceremonies add color and pageantry to military life while preserving tradition and stimulating esprit de corps.

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