NOTE: For clarity, all spoken text in this narration is in capital letters in 14-point font, the 13 phases of the ceremony are in 12-point bold font, and all remaining actions and instructions are in 11-point italicized font. Organizations or persons responsible for an action are identified in brackets in bold font before the action. Cues, pauses, and notes are enclosed by double angle quotes (<< >>).
1. Pre-ceremony Activities (Formation of Troops).
a. [Unit Commanders (CDRs)]: Unit CDRs align their units and give the command “Parade Rest.”
b. [Band]: The Band Performs pre-ceremony music.
NOTE: In this sample, “Band” refers to the ceremony-appropriate, assigned music performance team (MPT) of the USAREUR Band and Chorus.
c. [Adjutant (ADJ)]: The ADJ moves to the ADJ position and assumes the position of “Parade Rest.”
d. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator makes the following announcement:
<<CUE: 5 minutes before the start of the ceremony, after the ADJ is at “Parade Rest.”>>
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. THE CHANGE-OF-COMMAND CEREMONY WILL BEGIN IN 5 MINUTES.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
e. [Salute Battery (BTTY)]: The BTTY moves into position.
2. Welcome by the Narrator.
a. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator provides the initial welcome.
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN MOMENTARILY, PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN OFF OR SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
<<CUE: As the above announcement is made, the general officers (GOs) will line up. If timed correctly, the time should be [Time]. >>
b. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator provides the official welcome.
NARRATOR:
GOOD MORNING, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, SOLDIERS, FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS. WELCOME TO THE CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR [Unit Name]. TODAY, WE HONOR [Outgoing Commander’s Rank and Full Name] AS [HE/SHE] RELINQUISHES COMMAND TO [Incoming Commander’s Rank and Full Name].
THE REVIEWING OFFICER FOR TODAY’S CEREMONY IS [Rank and Full Name], THE [Commanding General/ Commanding Officer/ Director] OF [Unit Name].
THE COMMANDER OF TROOPS IS THE [Title], [Unit], [Rank and Full Name] .
PROVIDING THE MUSIC TODAY IS THE [MPT Name] OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE BAND AND CHORUS, UNDER THE COMMAND OF [Rank and Full Name] AND LED BY DRUM MAJOR [Rank and Full Name].
THE FORMATION OF SOLDIERS AND COLORS STANDING PROUDLY BEFORE US REPRESENTS THE UNITS OF THE [Command Name]. THOSE UNITS THAT ARE CURRENTLY DEPLOYED HAVE THEIR COLORS CASED.
THE SALUTE BATTERY IS FROM THE 529TH {pronounced Five Twenty-Ninth} MILITARY POLICE COMPANY AND IS LED BY [Rank and Full Name] AND [Rank and Full Name].
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE CEREMONY, WE REQUEST THAT YOU REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL THE OFFICIAL PARTY HAS DEPARTED.
<<Pause>>
<<CUE: The narrator waits for a short silent interval (approximately 3-5 seconds).>>
c. [Narrator]: The narrator introduces the special guests (that is, very important persons (VIPs) and distinguished visitors).
NARRATOR: SPECIAL GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE TODAY ARE:
1 (VIP). [Rank or Title, Full Name]
2 (VIP). [Rank or Title, Full Name]
3 (Distinguished Guest). [Rank or Title, Full Name] AND
4 (Distinguished Guest). [Rank or Title, Full Name]
d. [Official Party/Spouses/Ushers]: The reviewing officer and the outgoing and incoming CDRs and their spouses arrive at the rear of the reviewing stand. Unit-provided ushers escort the spouses to their seats in the reviewing area. The reviewing officer and the outgoing and incoming CDRs remain behind the reviewing stand.
3. Invocation.
a. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator introduces the chaplain.
<<CUE: Wait until spouses are seated. >>
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND FOR THE INVOCATION BY CHAPLAIN [Rank and Full Name], COMMAND CHAPLAIN OF [Unit Name].
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
b.[Chaplain]: The chaplain gives the invocation.
c. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator asks the audience to sit down.
<<CUE: As soon as the invocation is completed.>>
NARRATOR: PLEASE BE SEATED.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
4. Presentation of Flowers.
a. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator reads the outgoing CDR’s spouse presentation.
NARRATOR: AT THIS TIME, [Rank and Full Name], THE [Unit Name] NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER OF THE YEAR, WILL ESCORT [Title (Mr./Ms./Other) and Name of Reviewing Officer’s Spouse] TO PRESENT A BOUQUET OF RED ROSES TO [Title (Mr./Ms./Other) and Name of Outgoing Commander’s Spouse] FOR [HIS/HER] DEVOTION, DEDICATION, AND TIRELESS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES OF THE [Unit Name].
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
b.[Narrator/Translator]: The narrator reads the incoming CDR’s spouse presentation.
NARRATOR: [Title (Mr./Ms./Other) and Name of Reviewing Officer’s Spouse] WILL NOW PRESENT A BOUQUET OF YELLOW ROSE BUDS TO [Title (Mr./Ms./Other) and Name of Incoming Commander’s Spouse], TO REPRESENT THE BEGINNING OF NEW RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL SOON BE FORMED IN THE COMMAND AND IN THE COMMUNITY.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
5. Arrival of the Official Party.
a. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator reads the history of the bugle call.
NARRATOR: BUGLE CALLS HAVE A MARKED PLACE IN MILITARY HISTORY. THEY HAVE BEEN USED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS IN ARMIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TO SIGNAL, ALERT, AND INFORM SOLDIERS AND UNITS. BUGLE CALLS WILL BE USED IN TODAY’S ASSUMPTION-OF-COMMAND CEREMONY IN PLACE OF VERBAL COMMANDS.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
<<NOTE: From this point forward, all COT commands are given by bugle call. >>
NARRATOR: YOUR ATTENTION IS INVITED TO THE LINE OF TROOPS WHERE THE ADJUTANT WILL PREPARE THE SOLDIERS OF [Unit Name] FOR REVIEW.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
b. [ADJ]: The ADJ directs the bugler to sound “Attention.”
ADJ: SOUND ATTENTION.
c. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Attention.” On hearing the note of execution, all units take the position of “Attention” simultaneously.
<<NOTE: All units execute bugle commands simultaneously on hearing the note of execution. >>
d. [ADJ]: The ADJ directs the band to sound “Adjutant’s Call.”
ADJ: SOUND ADJUTANT’S CALL.
e. [Band]: The band sounds “Adjutant’s Call.”
f. [ADJ]: The ADJ moves to a post midway between the line of troops and the COT’s position and executes a facing movement to face the line of troops.
g. [ADJ]: The ADJ directs the bugler to sound “Parade Rest.”
ADJ: SOUND PARADE REST.
h. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds the call for “Parade Rest.” At the note of execution, all troops move to the position of “Parade Rest.”
i. [ADJ]: The ADJ gives the “Sound Off” command and then assumes the position of “Parade Rest.”
ADJ: SOUND OFF.
j. [Band]: The Band takes the position of “Attention,” begins to play marching music, and starts marching. The Band marches in front of the ADJ, unit CDRs, and their staffs, to the last unit in the line of troops. The Band then executes a “Reverse March” and returns to its original position. The Band terminates the “Sound Off” with 3 chords.
k. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator reads the history of the “Sound Off” command.
<<CUE: As the Band starts marching, the Narrator will begin reading.>>
NARRATOR: THE “SOUND OFF” IS A CEREMONIAL TRADITION THAT HAS OPENED PARADES OF THE AMERICAN FORCES FOR OVER 150 YEARS. ON THE COMMAND OF “SOUND OFF,” IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR THE BAND TO MARCH IN FRONT OF TROOPS AND THEN COUNTERMARCH AND HALT IN ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THIS MARCH ACROSS THE FRONT LINE IS SAID TO HAVE ORIGINATED WITH THE CRUSADES WHEN THE TROOPS, OFFERING THEMSELVES FOR HOLY SERVICE, WERE DRAWN UP IN A LONG FORMATION AND THE BAND COUNTERMARCHED ONLY BEFORE THOSE CHOSEN TO SERVE.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
l. [ADJ]: After the “Sound Off,” the ADJ comes to the position of “Attention” and directs the bugler to sound “Attention.”
ADJ: SOUND ATTENTION.
m. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Attention.”
n. [ADJ]: After all units are at “Attention,” the ADJ executes an “About Face” (to face the reviewing stand).
o. [COT]: After the ADJ faces about, the COT and his or her staff take the position of “Attention” and move from their positions near the reviewing stand to their post midway between the line of troops and the reviewing officer’s post (facing the troops).
p. [ADJ]: After the COT and staff halt at their post, the ADJ faces about (to face the troops) and directs the bugler to sound “Present Arms.”
ADJ: SOUND PRESENT ARMS.
q. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Present Arms.”
r. [ADJ]: The ADJ executes an “About Face” (to face the reviewing stand), salutes, and reports.
ADJ: SIR, THE COMMAND IS FORMED.
s. [COT]: The COT returns the salute of the ADJ and directs the ADJ to take his or her post. (The members of the staff do not salute.)
COT: TAKE YOUR POST.
t. [ADJ]: The ADJ moves to the ADJ post by facing to the half left in marching, marching forward, halting at normal interval to the right of the right-flank staff member, and executing an “About Face.”
u. [COT]: When the ADJ is in position, the COT directs the bugler to sound “Order Arms.”
COT: SOUND ORDER ARMS.
v. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Order Arms.”
w. [Staff]: After all units are at “Order Arms,” the left-flank host-unit staff officer commands (in sequence) “Right, Face; Forward, March; Column Left, March; Column Left, March; Staff, Halt; Left, Face.” At this time, the staff should be centered on, and 2 steps in front of, the COT.
x. [COT]: After the staff has reversed, the COT executes an “About Face” (to face the reviewing stand).
y. [BTTY]: The BTTY executes preparatory commands as the staff moves into position.
z. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator reads the introduction of the official party.
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE RENDERING OF HONORS TO [Rank and Full Name of Reviewing Officer] .
[Rank and Full Name of Reviewing Officer] DEFERS [HIS/HER] HONORS TODAY TO [Rank and Full Name of Outgoing Commander] IN RECOGNITION OF [HIS/HER] SUCCESSFUL TIME AS THE COMMANDER OF THE [Unit Name].
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
<<CUE: The narration is complete and the reviewing officer is at his or her post.>>
aa. [Official Party]: The members of the official party move to their positions on the reviewing stand.
6. Honors.
<<CUE: The official party is in place on the reviewing stand. >>
a. [COT]: The COT executes an “About Face” (to face the troops) and gives the commands for “Attention” and “Present Arms.”
COT: SOUND ATTENTION, <<Pause>>, PRESENT ARMS.
b. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Attention,” then “Present Arms. ”
c. [Unit CDRs/Units]: Unit CDRs and their units come to “Attention” and “Present Arms” (simultaneously).
d. [Colors]: USAREUR colors dip.
e. [COT]: The COT faces about (to face the reviewing stand), directs his or her staff to “Present Arms,” and salutes.
<<CUE: When the COT salutes. >>
f. [Band]: The Band plays x ruffles and flourishes and the General’s March.
g. [BTTY]: The BTTY fires a xx-gun salute at 3-second intervals initiated on the first note of the music.
h. [Official Party]: The official party salutes on the first note of music.
<<CUE: At the completion of the music or gun salute (whichever finishes last). >>
i. [COT]: The COT orders thestaff to “Order Arms” (and all terminate their salutes), faces about (to face the troops), and directs the bugler to sound “Order Arms” and “Parade Rest.”
COT: SOUND ORDER ARMS AND PARADE REST.
j. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Order Arms,” then “Parade Rest.”
k. [Unit CDRs/Units]: Unit CDRs and their units execute “Order Arms” and “Parade Rest.”
<<CUE: When all units are at “Parade Rest.” >>
l. [COT]: The COT executes an “About Face” (to face the reviewing stand) and remains at “Attention.”
<<CUE: When the COT faces about.>>
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE BE SEATED.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
<<CUE: The reviewing party departs the reviewing stand to take its position on the field. >>
NARRATOR: AT THIS TIME [Rank and Full Name] OF THE 529TH (pronounced Five Twenty-Ninth) MILITARY POLICE SALUTE BATTERY PRESENTS [Rank and Full Name of Outgoing Commander] THE SHELL OF THE LAST ROUND OF SALUTE AS A MEMENTO OF THE CHANGE-OF-COMMAND CEREMONY.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
7. Inspection of the Troops.
<<CUE: When the presenter has departed and after applause. >>
a. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator introduces the inspection of the troops.
NARRATOR: IN KEEPING WITH MILITARY TRADITION, THE REVIEWING PARTY AND COMMANDER OF TROOPS WILL NOW CONDUCT AN INSPECTION BY TROOPING THE LINE. IN DAYS PAST, TROOPING THE LINE ENABLED THE SOLDIERS TO PHYSICALLY IDENTIFY THEIR LEADER AND ALLOWED THE COMMANDER TO PERSONALLY OBSERVE AND EVALUATE HIS SOLDIERS AND EQUIPMENT TO JUDGE FOR HIM OR HERSELF THEIR CAPABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY ENGAGE AND WIN IN COMBAT.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
<<CUE: After the narration has been translated.>>
b. [Official Party]: The official party moves forward and halts 3 steps in front of the COT.
c. [COT]: The COT salutes and reports.
COT: SIR, THE COMMAND IS PREPARED FOR INSPECTION.
d. [Reviewing officer/COT/Outgoing and Incoming CDRs]: The reviewing officer returns the salute. The COT guides the reviewing officer, the outgoing CDR, and the incoming CDR to the right flank of the band. The COT takes his place to the right of the reviewing officer. The outgoing and incoming CDRs march behind the reviewing officer and the COT.
e. [Band]: The Band initiates marching music to accompany the inspection.
f. [Inspection Party]: The inspection party inspects the formation.
g. [Narrator]: The narrator reads the unit history and the USAREUR history while the official party inspects the formation.
<<NOTE: A host-nation language translation will be provided only if time allows. The narration and the translation (if applicable) must have been finished by the time the inspection is completed.>>
NARRATOR:
[Insert Unit History]
THE PRESENT UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE IS A DESCENDANT OF GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER’S WORLD WAR II COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, U.S. ARMY, WHICH WAS FIRST ACTIVATED ON 8 JUNE 1942. WITH THE COMING OF PEACE, ETOUSA WAS REDESIGNATED ON 1 JULY 1945 AS U.S. FORCES EUROPEAN THEATER UNDER GENERAL EISENHOWER’S COMMAND, WITH ITS HEADQUARTERS AT FRANKFURT.
AS PART OF A WIDE-RANGING REALIGNMENT OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES, ON 15 MARCH 1947, U.S. FORCES EUROPEAN THEATER WAS DESIGNATED AS THE EUROPEAN COMMAND UNDER GENERAL LUCIUS D. CLAY, WHO WAS ALSO THE U.S. MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE U.S. ZONE OF OCCUPIED GERMANY. THE HEADQUARTERS MOVED TO HEIDELBERG IN THE SPRING OF 1948.
WITH THE HEIGHTENING OF COLD WAR TENSIONS IN EUROPE AND THE OUTBREAK OF WAR IN KOREA, THE OCCUPATION FORCE IN EUROPE WAS RESTRUCTURED AS A COMBAT FORMATION. ON 24 NOVEMBER 1950, EUCOM ACTIVATED THE U.S. SEVENTH ARMY HEADQUARTERS AT STUTTGART UNDER THE COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL MANTON S. EDDY. ON 1 AUGUST 1952, THE JOINT U.S. EUROPEAN COMMAND WAS ACTIVATED AT FRANKFURT, AND THE HEIDELBERG HEADQUARTERS BECAME THE ARMY COMPONENT COMMAND OF THE UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND AND WAS DESIGNATED THE UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE.
THE UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPPORTING ALL U.S. ARMY SOLDIERS, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AS WELL AS FOR TRAINING U.S. ARMY FORCES IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER. THE UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE’S PRESENCE IN EUROPE PROMOTES REGIONAL STABILITY WITH A VISIBLE DETERRENT FORCE WHILE MAINTAINING FORWARD-DEPLOYED FORCES CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING U.S. NATIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES EUROPEAN COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
h. [Inspection Party]: The inspection party passes immediately in front of the battalions and behind the brigade colors.
(1) [Unit CDRs]: As the party approaches the right flank of each unit, the unit CDR comes to “Attention,” faces about, and commands (and remains facing his or her unit after the command):
UNIT CDR: BRIGADE, ATTENTION, <<Pause>>, EYES, RIGHT.
(2) [Unit CDRs/Units]: At the command “Eyes, Right,” the unit CDRs will present arms, their organizational colors will dip, and each Soldier will turn his or her head to the right. As the inspection party enters their line of vision, the Soldiers will follow the inspection party with their eyes by turning their heads until they are looking directly forward again.
(3) [COT]: As the inspection party approaches the colors (6 steps from the colors), the COT commands “Present Arms” and (6 steps beyond the colors) “Order Arms.”
COT: PRESENT ARMS, <<Pause>>, ORDER ARMS.
(4) [Colors]: The color guard and color bearers execute “Eyes, Right.” The organizational colors will salute (dip) while the National (U.S.) Colors, the allied nation’s colors, and the Army flag do not salute (dip).
(5) [Brigade CDRs/CSMs]: The brigade CDRs and CSMs do not salute or execute “Eyes Right,” and organizational colors do not dip. As soon as the party has cleared a unit, the unit commander commands “Order Arms” and “Parade Rest.” He or she remains facing the unit and assumes the position of “Parade Rest.” The left-flank unit will remain at “Attention” until the inspection party has cleared the rear of the unit. Unit CDRs remain facing the rear of their units and command their units to “Attention” as the party passes to the rear of their units. Once the inspection party has passed the rear of their units, unit CDRs command “Parade Rest,” face about, and assume the position of “Parade Rest.”
(6) [Inspection Party]: After passing in front of the troops, the inspection party continues along the rear of the troops and terminates inspection at the right flank of the band. The COT commands “Party, Halt.”
COT: PARTY, HALT.
(7) [Band/COT]: The bandmaster has the band play softly until the members of the reviewing party begin moving back to their posts. The COT faces to the half left in marching, takes 2 steps, halts, and faces about.
(8) [Incoming CDR/Outgoing CDRs/COT/Reviewing Officer]: >The incoming CDR takes the position to the left of the reviewing officer, and the outgoing CDR takes the position to the right of the reviewing officer. When the incoming CDR is in position, the COT and the reviewing officer exchange salutes. The reviewing officer, the incoming CDR, and the outgoing CDR immediately face to the half left in marching and return to their posts. The COT hesitates momentarily, then faces to the right in marching and returns to his post.
8. Honors to the Nation.
<<CUE: The reviewing party returns to the reviewing stand and the COT is in position.>>
a. [Narrator/Translator]: The narrator reads the history of the National Colors.
NARRATOR: THE COMMANDER OF TROOPS IS RETRIEVING THE NATIONAL COLORS OF [Name of Host Nation (for example, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY)] AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. [HE/SHE] WILL MARCH THEM FORWARD TO RENDER HONORS TO BOTH NATIONS.
FOR MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES, THE STARS AND STRIPES HAS BEEN THE BANNER UNDER WHICH AMERICANS HAVE LIVED, FOUGHT, AND DIED. MORE THAN A SYMBOL, THE FLAG IS THE EMBODIMENT OF OUR GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE, IDEALS, AND VALUES. ALL MILITARY UNITS SERVING IN THIS HOST COUNTRY DISPLAY THE NATIONAL FLAG OF [Name of Host Nation (for example, GERMANY)] NEXT TO THE STARS AND STRIPES. TOGETHER THE TWO FLAGS SHOW THE COMMITMENT AND PARTNERSHIP OF THESE TWO NATIONS. THUS, AS THE FLAGS ARE PRESENTED TO THE REVIEWING OFFICER, RESPECT IS PAID TO BOTH NATIONS.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
b. [COT]: The COT faces about and directs the bugler to sound “Attention.”
COT: SOUND ATTENTION.
c. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Attention” and plays a stinger.
d. [COT]: The COT directs the bugler to sound “Officers and Colors,” “Center, March.”
COT: SOUND OFFICERS AND COLORS; CENTER, MARCH.
e. [Bugler]: >The bugler sounds “Officers and Colors” and “Center, March,” then plays a stinger after a long pause, then plays an additional stinger for the execution of “March.”
f. [Staff]: On the first note of execution, the staff will execute “Right Face.” On the second note of execution, the staff begins marching forward to a position offset to the left front of the reviewing stand, halts, and faces left.
g. [Unit CDRS/Unit Colors]: On the first note of execution, the color guard takes 7 steps forward, then stops. Unit CDRs and unit colors execute “Center Face.” On the second note of execution, unit CDRs and colors march forward to a position allowing enough clearance for the officers and colors. Unit CDRs and colors march parallel to each other, allowing the colors to pass before closing the line behind the color formation. Simultaneously, the colors move forward, mark time, and halt. Unit commanders and colors, as they come on line, remain facing toward the center. When all unit CDRs and colors are closed, the center CDR commands “Detachment, Halt; Center Face.”
h. [COT]: Once the formation has come to a halt, the COT marches forward and takes his or her post 3 steps in front of and centered on the colors. The COT faces about and commands “Detachment, Forward March.”
COT: DETACHMENT, FORWARD MARCH.
i. [Band]: On the command “March,” the Band begins to play marching music and continues to play until the detachment is halted in front of the reviewing officer.
j. [COT]: The COT commands, “Mark Time, March” and “Detachment, Halt” when he or she is in front of the reviewing stand.
COT: MARK TIME, MARCH; <<Pause>>; DETACHMENT, HALT.
k. [COT]: The COT then salutes and reports:
COT: SIR, THE OFFICERS AND COLORS ARE PRESENT.
l. [Reviewing Officer]: The reviewing officer returns the salute and directs the COT to assume his or her post and present the command.
REVIEWING OFFICER: ASSUME YOUR POST AND PRESENT THE COMMAND.
m. [COT]: Facing to the right in marching, the COT marches by the most direct route to his or her post 2 steps in front of and centered on his or her staff, halts perpendicular to his or her staff, then faces to the right (to face the troops). The COT directs “Sound Present Arms,” then faces about (to the reviewing stand) and commands “Detachment, Present Arms,” then presents arms.
COT: SOUND PRESENT ARMS; <<Pause>>; DETACHMENT, PRESENT ARMS.
n. [Bugler]: Sounds “Present Arms.”
o. [Narrator/Translator]:
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEMS OF [Host Nation (for example, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY)] AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
p. [Band]: The Band plays the national anthems of the host nation and the United States.
<<CUE: After completion of both national anthems.>>
q. [Narrator/Translator]:
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE BE SEATED.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
r. [COT]: >On the last note of the U.S. national anthem, the COT drops his salute and commands the detachment to “Order Arms.”
COT: DETACHMENT, ORDER ARMS.
s. [COT]: The COT faces about and directs the bugler to sound “Order Arms” and “Parade Rest.”
COT: SOUND ORDER ARMS AND PARADE REST.
t. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Order Arms” and “Parade Rest.”
u. [Unit CDRs/Units]: Unit CDRs and their units execute “Order Arms” and “Parade Rest.”
9. Passing of the Colors (Change of Command).
<<CUE: All units are at Parade Rest. The official party starts to move toward the colors when the narrator begins reading.>>
a. [Narrator/Translator]:
NARRATOR: THE VERY SOUL OF A MILITARY UNIT IS SYMBOLIZED IN THE COLORS UNDER WHICH IT FIGHTS, FOR THE COLORS RECORD THE GLORIES OF THE PAST, STAND GUARDIAN OVER THE UNIT’S PRESENT DESTINY, AND ENSURE INSPIRATION FOR ITS FUTURE. HISTORY DICTATES THAT THE COLORS LEAD THE UNIT INTO BATTLE.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
b. [Reviewing Party]: The reviewing party will move toward the colors. The outgoing CDR positions him or herself 4 steps in front of his or her organizational colors. The outgoing CDR is directly to the right of the reviewing officer, the incoming CDR is to the left of the reviewing officer. The outgoing and incoming CDRs then take 1 step forward and execute simultaneous facing movements to face each other. The reviewing officer or either of the CDRs (as chosen during rehearsal) may give softly spoken commands to synchronize movements.
c. [CSM]: The brigade CSM moves from his position behind the colors and removes the organizational colors from the color bearer’s sling (with his right hand above his left hand) and faces about.
<<CUE: Immediately after the CSM secures the unit colors.>> >
d. [Narrator]: The narrator reads the assumption-of-command order.
NARRATOR (ENGLISH ONLY): BY AUTHORITY OF ARMY REGULATION 600-20, PARAGRAPH 2-5A, THE UNDERSIGNED ASSUMES COMMAND OF [Unit Name] EFFECTIVE [Date]. SIGNED [Name of the Undersigned], UNITED STATES ARMY, COMMANDING.
e. [CSM/Reviewing Officer/Incoming and Outgoing CDRs]: After the reading, the CSM steps forward and presents the organizational colors to the outgoing CDR, who grasps the organizational colors with his left hand above his right hand. The outgoing (now previous) CDR passes the organizational colors to the reviewing officer (senior CDR), who grasps the colors with his or her right hand above his or her left hand. The reviewing officer passes the organizational colors to the new (former incoming) CDR, who grasps the colors with his or her left hand above his or her right hand. The new CDR passes the organizational colors to the CSM, who grasps the colors with his or her right hand above his or her left hand, faces about, and returns the organizational colors to the color bearer’s sling.
f. [Previous and New CDRs]: As the CSM faces about, both CDRs execute facing movements back to their original direction facing the colors. The CSM and the reviewing party face about and return to their posts.
g. [CSM]: The CSM returns to his or her position behind the colors.
h. [Reviewing Officer]: The reviewing officer moves back to the reviewing stand.
i. [Previous and New CDRs]: The previous and new CDRs hesitate slightly and then cross behind the reviewing officer switching places.
10. Remarks.
<<CUE: The official party is now in position on the reviewing stand.>>
a. [Narrator]: The narrator introduces the reviewing officer.
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE [Unit] COMMANDER, [Rank and Full Name of Reviewing Officer].
b. [Reviewing Officer]: The reviewing officer moves to the speaker position to give his or her remarks, then returns to the reviewing stand or takes the seat next to his or her spouse.
c. [Narrator]: The narrator introduces the previous CDR. No reference is made to him or her as the outgoing commander.
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, [Rank and Full Name of Previous CDR].
d. [Previous CDR]: >The previous CDR moves to the speaker position to give his or her remarks, then returns to the reviewing stand or takes the seat next to his or her spouse.
e. [Narrator]: The narrator introduces the new CDR.
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMANDER OF [Unit Name], [Rank and Full Name of New CDR].
f. [New CDR]: The new CDR moves to the speaker position to give his or her remarks, then returns to the reviewing stand.
11. Pass in Review.
<<CUE: The new commander is in his or her position on the reviewing stand.>>
a. [COT]: The COT comes to “Attention,” faces about, and directs the bugler to sound “Attention.”
COT: SOUND ATTENTION.
b. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Attention.”
c. [Units]: The units take the position of “Attention.”
d. [COT]: The COT directs the bugler to sound “Colors,” “Post,” and “March.”
COT: SOUND COLORS, POST, <<Pause>>, MARCH.
e. [Bugler]: The bugler sounds “Colors,” “Post,” and “March.”
f. [Unit CDRs/Colors]: On the first stinger, unit CDRs and colors execute “About Face.”
g. [Color Guard]: On the first stinger, the color guard executes “Reverse March.”
h. [Staff]: On the first stinger, the staff executes “Left Face.”
i. [Unit CDRs and Colors]: On the second stinger, unit CDRs and colors star-burst and march back to their units on the most direct route, halt, and execute a facing movement to face the reviewing stand.
j. [CSM/Color Guard]: On the second stinger, the CSM marches the color guard back to the formation of troops, executes “Colors, Reverse, March,” and halts in the original position.
k. [COT]: Once the colors have cleared, the COT returns the staff to its original position centered on the formation and then directs the staff to “Right Face.”
COT: RIGHT FACE.
[COT]: The COT executes “Left Face” and waits until all units and colors are in position, at which time he or she faces about.
><<CUE: The COT faces the hosting commander on the reviewing stand.>>
l. [New CDR]: The new CDR commands to “Pass in Review.” <
NEW CDR: PASS IN REVIEW.
m. [COT]: The COT directs the units to “Pass in Review.”
COT: PASS IN REVIEW.
n. [Unit CDRs/COT]: Unit CDRs face to the right, the COT then faces to the left.
o. [Band]: The Band director raises his baton, and as the right-flank commander commands “Right Turn, March,” the Band begins to play and to march forward onto the line of march.
p. [Formations]: Formations move out in succession and follow the Band in columns. Organizational colors do a wheel to fall behind unit CDRs as they march forward. Formations execute a right turn on a parallel path with unit CDRs. Formations will be in line with and parallel to unit CDRs until the first left turn. After the first left turn, units will be centered on and behind unit commanders and their colors.
<<NOTE: There will be 6 steps between unit CDRs and organizational colors, and 12 steps between organizational colors and platoon formations.>>
q. [Units]: Units will execute two left turns before moving onto the reviewing line.
r. [Band/Units]: The Band and each following unit change direction at points indicated by markers. When a unit reaches the turn marker, the unit CDR commands “Left Turn, March.” As soon as the unit has completed the turn, the unit CDR commands “Forward March.”
s. [COT/Staff]: On the command “Right Turn”, (pause), “March” by the CDR of the unit next to the Band, the COT and his or her staff move to a marching position 12 steps in front of the drum major (on the reviewing line).
<<CUE: >Before the units pass the reviewing stand.>>
NARRATOR: PLEASE STAND AND RENDER THE APPROPRIATE HONORS TO THE NATIONAL COLORS AS THEY PASS.
THE COMMANDER OF TROOPS FOR TODAY’S CEREMONY IS [Duty Position, Unit, Rank, and Full Name] FROM [City and State].
THE UNITED STATES ARMY EUROPE BAND IS UNDER THE COMMAND OF [Rank and Full Name] FROM [City and State] AND LED BY DRUM MAJOR [Rank and Full Name] FROM [City and State].
[Insert additional units as required.]
TODAY’S COLOR GUARD IS LED BY COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR [Full Name] FROM [City and State].
t. [COT/Staff]: The COT and his or her staff execute “Eyes Right” and salute when they are in a position 6 steps from the reviewing stand. They terminate “Eyes Right” and the salute at 6 steps beyond the reviewing stand. >
u. [Reviewing Officer/COT]: The reviewing officer returns only the salute of the COT. (The return of the salute by the reviewing officer represents the salute of all subordinate commanders. This enables the reviewing officer to observe the review without being interrupted by frequent salutes.)
v. [Reviewing Party]: The reviewing party and all uniformed spectators salute the National Colors as they pass. All spectators rise as the National Colors pass the spectator area.
w. [COT/Staff]: After saluting the reviewing officer, the COT and his or her staff (without a command) execute three wheeling movements and take their posts so that the COT is in line with and to the right of the reviewing officer. (When executing wheeling movements, the members of the staff should lengthen or shorten their steps as necessary in order to remain aligned and abreast of each other while turning).
x. [Band]: When passing the reviewing officer, the Bandmaster salutes and continues to look straight forward. Simultaneously, the drum major executes “Eyes Right” and salutes. All other members of the Band continue to play marching music without interruption. When the Band has cleared the reviewing area, the drum major has the Band execute 3 left turns into a position in front of and facing the reviewing officer and at least 12 steps from the left flank of the marching troops. As the National Colors pass, the Bandmaster and the drum major salute while the Band continues to play marching music.
y. [Unit CDRs/Units]: Unit CDRs, staffs, and organizational colors will execute “Eyes Right” when directed by the unit CDRs. Unit CDRs will give the preparatory command “Eyes” over their right shoulder 2 steps from the “Eyes-Right” marker. The command of execution, “Right,” is given when the right foot strikes the ground, in line with the marker. The unit CDR and his or her unit execute “Eyes Right” and salute. The organizational colors salute (dip) as well. The unit CSM or NCO executes “Eyes Right” and salutes. The right file of each element continues to look straight ahead; all other members execute “Eyes Right.”
z. [Unit CDRs]: When the rear of a unit passes 6 steps beyond the reviewing stand, the unit CDR gives the unit and organizational colors the command “Ready-Front” (as the left foot strikes the ground). The CDR drops his or her salute and turns head and eyes to the front.
aa. [Color Guard]: As the color guard passes the reviewing officer, each member, except the right-flank Soldier, executes “Eyes-Right” on the CSM’s command.
<<NOTE: The unit colors are dipped, the National Colors and U.S. Army colors are not.>>
ab. [Band]: After the last unit has passed the reviewing stand, the Band will stop playing marching music.
12. Army Song.
a. [Narrator/Translator]:
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLAYING AND SINGING OF THE ARMY SONG.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].
b. [Band]: After the last troop element has passed the reviewing stand and has executed “Ready-Front,” the Band begins to play an eight-bar drum cadence. At the appropriate time, the Band begins playing (in place) the official version of “The Army Song.” The drum major marches the Band forward and executes a left turn onto the reviewing line while the Band continues to play until the completion of the chorus.
13. Conclusion.
a. [COT/New CDR]: After the Army Song, the COT and the new CDR face each other and salute. The COT announces the conclusion of the ceremony.
COT: SIR, THIS CONCLUDES THE CEREMONY.
b. [COT/New CDR]: The COT and the new CDR exchange salutes again.
c. [Narrator/Translator]:
NARRATOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS CONCLUDES TODAY’S CEREMONY. PLEASE JOIN [New CDR’s Rank and Full Name] AT THE [Reception Location]. [Previous CDR’s Rank and Full Name] AND [Title (Mr./Mrs./Ms.) and Name of Previous CDR’s Spouse] WILL REMAIN ON THE FIELD FOR YOUR FINAL WELL WISHES. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.
TRANSLATOR: [HOST-NATION LANGUAGE TRANSLATION].