COMMENTARY>>The meaning of command

by Col. Patrick Mordente
314th Operations Group commander

In my two years as a group commander, I’ve had the opportunity to host a few squadron changes of command. Changes of command are described many ways … it is a time honored tradition … it is a visible sign of the passing of responsibility and leadership as the guidon passes from commander to commander. Only eight simple words are stated between the outgoing and incoming commanders, “Sir, I relinquish command … Sir, I accept command.” Eight simple words are at the heart of a ceremony that my good friend Col. Don Wilhite described as being, “As smooth as a gentle breeze over calm waters.”

With that, the change of command is complete. It all seems simple and sometimes we may wonder why we take the time to make a change of command so ceremonial. But those eight words and what they represent drive to the very foundation of our Air Force Core Values: Integrity first, Service before Self and Excellence in All We Do.

A change of command is a visible sign to all that a new commander is in charge. However, what I find most impressive is how the outgoing commander simply fades into the background and quietly leaves at the end of the ceremony. It’s through that gesture that one realizes that command is not about the individual … it is about the people and the unit.

We can all learn from this ceremony and apply it to our own situation. If you are a frontline supervisor, flight, squadron, group or even a wing commander, one day you will have to pass the “guidon” and fade into the background and let the next generation take charge. Remember, every position of leadership requires us to live by our cores values while ensuring our Airman do also and train that next generation to take our place.

In two weeks, I will pass the guidon to the next 314th Operations Group commander. I will be sad to leave, but confident that the group is in the best of hands … and then I will take my family and quietly fade into the background.