This appendix contains a checklist for successfully conducting military ceremonies. It also shows the sequence of events for a change of command and change of responsibility ceremonies.
G-1. Ceremonies honor lineage and history, thereby requiring the utmost in respect and courtesy. Military ceremonies can honor high-ranking commanders, officials, or dignitaries; or permit them to observe the state of training of an organization. Military ceremonies can also be used to present decorations and awards, honor or recognize unit or individual achievements, commemorate events, mark changes of command and responsibility, and induct newly promoted NCOs into the ranks. Presentation of awards recognizes distinguished accomplishment by the Service member. AR 600-8-22 states that awards will be presented with an appropriate air of formality and with fitting ceremony.
G-2. There are several different types of ceremonies that units will occasionally conduct. Unit CSMs and their staff will develop their own sequence of events for the following types of ceremonies:
- Change of command.
- Change of responsibility.
- NCO induction.
- Assumption of responsibility.
- Relinquishment of responsibility.
- Award.
- Deployment and redeployment.
- Hail and farewell.
- Army school graduation (special units).
- Award of Expert Infantry Badge or Expert Field Medical Badge.
- Wreath laying.
- Special events.
- Spurs awarding (Cavalry specific).
G-3. Most ceremonies will include some of the mandatory events listed in the reviews chapter and end with the playing of the Army song. A unit CSM or their designated representative develops their ceremony specific SOP and ensure the preparedness of the unit conducting the ceremony. If the ceremony is conducted at the company or troop level, then the responsibilities for the sequence of events could be delegated to the company first sergeant and command team. Hail and farewells do not require the playing of the national anthem or playing of the Army song. Figure G-1 on page G-2 shows a sample checklist for conducting military ceremonies.
Change of Command Sequence of Events
G-4. Use the following sequence of events for a change-of-command ceremony:
- Prelude music.
- Formation of troops.
- Welcome (narrator).
- Introduction of official party (narrator).
- Invocation.
- Presentation of flowers to outgoing and incoming commander’s spouse.
- Sound Attention and Adjutant’s Call.
- Sound off.
- COT moves to parade field.
- Honors and cannon salute.
- Reviewing party moves to reviewing stand.
- Inspection.
- Officer and Colors center march.
- Honors to the Nation.
- COT moves guidon forward.
- Official party moves to four steps from guidon.
- Official party or first sergeant takes position.
- Narrator reads assumption of command orders.
- Guidon is passed.
- COT returns guidon.
- Reviewing officer comments.
- Outgoing, then incoming, commander comments.
- Army song.
- Narrator announces conclusion and administrative remarks.
- COT dismisses troops.
Change-of-Responsibility Sequence of Events
G-5. Use the following sequence of events for a change-of-responsibility ceremony:
- Prelude music.
- Formation of troops (10 minutes prior).
- Warning that ceremony is to begin in 10 minutes.
- Introduction of official party and distinguished guests.
- Silence all cell phones and take seats (2 minutes prior).
- Host CSM and reviewing officer assume positions.
- Welcome (narrator).
- Invocation by the unit chaplain.
- Presentation of flowers to outgoing and incoming NCOs’ spouses.
- Official party marches to their positions.
- Colors conduct center march and join official party.
- Honors to the Nation.
- Units bring themselves to Attention and Present Arms.
- Playing of the national anthem.
- Change of responsibility (passing of the unit guidon).
- Remarks from commander, then outgoing and incoming NCOs.
- Playing and singing of the Army song.
- Conclusion of ceremony.
Attention to Orders
G-6. “Attention to Orders” is the statement given prior to the formal presentation of an award or recognition during a ceremony, in both a formal and informal setting. When the adjutant announces “Attention to Orders” everyone present at the ceremony silence all conversations and focus on the presentation of the award. If the commander requires military members present at the ceremony to be at the position of Attention, then execution command ATTENTION is given prior to the presentation of the award. Please see the example below.
Example:
Formal setting: During a squadron award ceremony the unit is in a squadron formation. The squadron commander calls all awardees to post. The awardees march to a designated spot in front of the formation and are prepared to receive their awards. The squadron commander announces Squadron, ATTENTION. They then direct the adjutant to publish the orders. The adjutant reads off all Soldier’s awards to the entire formation while the squadron commander and CSM present the awards to the awardees.
Informal setting: During a troop hail and farewell ceremony at a local establishment or banquet hall, the troop commander presents a few permanent change of station awards to deserving Soldiers. The troop commander would ask the awardees to move to the front of the crowd to receive their award. The troop commander, at their discretion, would then direct their executive officer or troop representative to publish the orders. The adjutant would announce “Attention to Orders.” All personnel in attendance of the ceremony would silence all conversations and direct all their attention to the presentation of the award.
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