This page is for ceremony scripts for Change of Command, Promotion, Retirement, etc. If you have a script, forward it to editor@armywriter.com or paste it into the form below and it will be posted as soon as possible.
Promotion Oath Of Office for Officers
I, (state your full name),
having been appointed a Colonel in the United States Army,
do solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely,
without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion;
and that I will well and faithfully discharge
the duties of the office which I am about to enter.
So help me God.
https://www.army.mil/values/officers.html
Warrant Officer Candidate Pinning Script
The Department of the Army Warrant Officer Candidate selection board has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of (Enlisted Rank/Name).
In view of these qualities and (his/her) demonstrated leadership potential, technical competence, and dedicated service to the United States Army, (he/she) is therefore advanced to the rank of Warrant Officer Candidate, and selected to enter the United States Army Reserve Warrant Officer Candidate program effective (Welcome letter date).
(His/her) duties will henceforth be those of a Warrant Officer One. The correct term of address for this Soldier until appointment as a Warrant Officer One is Candidate (Last Name).
(Remove enlisted rank, pin on W.O.C.)
(Note: This applies to only Army Reserve / Guard Soldiers. Active Duty Soldiers pin on W.O.C. when they get to the school house.)
Presentation of Army Commendation Medal
For outstanding performance of duty while serving as a [Rank] in the United States Army. Throughout [his/her] time of service, [Name] consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to the mission. [He/She] consistently exceeded the standards and expectations of [his/her] position, leading [his/her] unit to numerous successes and earning the respect and admiration of [his/her] fellow soldiers.
[Name]'s selfless dedication, technical proficiency, and unwavering commitment to the Army have made a lasting impact on [his/her] unit, the Army, and the nation. [He/She] is highly deserving of this recognition and [he/she] will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to serve alongside [him/her].
It is with great honor and appreciation that [Name] is awarded the Army Commendation Medal, in recognition of [his/her] dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the United States Army.
Promotion
The secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence of (LAST, FIRST, M). In view of these qualities and his/her demonstrated leadership abilities and dedicated service to the United States Army he/she is therefore, promoted from (CURRENT RANK) to (NEW RANK) effective (EFFECTIVE DATE) with a date of rank (DATE OF RANK) By Authority of the Department of the Army.
Promotion, Officer
ATTENTION TO ORDERS: THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, ACTING UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, HAS PLACED SPECIAL TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE PATRIOTISM, INTEGRITY, AND ABILITIES OF SECOND LIEUTENANT XXXX. IN VIEW OF THESE SPECIAL QUALITIES, AND HIS/HER DEMONSTRATED POTENTIAL TO SERVE IN THE NEXT HIGHER GRADE, SECOND LIEUTENANT XXXX IS PROMOTED TO THE GRADE OF FIRST LIEUTENANT, UNITED STATES ARMY, EFFECTIVE THE XXTH DAY OF XXXX, TWO THOUSAND AND XXXX, BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY.
Promotion, Enlisted
By the authority of the Adjutant General of the Alabama National Guard, Fred T. Gray is promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class-Detachment Sergeant with an effective date of 22 MAY 2022 in accordance with AR 600-8-19.
Promotion, Officer
Order number XX-123456 dated June XX, 202X
The Adjutant General of Alabama has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of Fannie B. Hamer. In view of these qualities, demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the Army National Guard, Fannie B. Hamer is promoted to the grade of O4/Major with a date of rank XX June XX by order of the Adjutant General.
Change of Responsibility Ceremony
0950: Color Guard take their position
0955: NARRATOR (SSG Roberson): Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention. The ceremony will begin in 5 minutes.
0958: NARRATOR: Ladies and Gentlemen, the ceremony will begin in 2 minutes; please find your seats and turn off all electronic devices.
1000: NARRATOR: Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Change of Responsibility Ceremony for the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion. The host of today's Ceremony is LTC Aaron S. Ritzema.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are delighted to have many distinguished guests with us today and we welcome the [ADD BY NAME GEN WILLIAMS AND CSM INMAN IF PRESENT] senior leaders, Command Sergeants Major, staff, and family members.
Soldiers move forward in position to present Mrs. Hurst and Mrs. Godwin flowers
NARRATOR: On behalf of the soldiers assigned to 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, SGT XXXXX(MDEB) is presenting a bouquet of red roses to Mrs. Hurst.
PAUSE FOR APPLAUSE
SGT XXXX(HHC) is passing yellow roses to Mrs. Godwin and Children XXXXXX; welcoming them to 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force, 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion and Wiesbaden.
Wait for end of applause
NARRATOR: Please stand for the Invocation given by the 56th Artillery Command Chaplain, Major Bradley Bruce (or our new Soldier).
Invocation complete
NARRATOR: Please be seated.
NARRATOR: The 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) is the centerpiece for Army transformational change. The MDTF is the first of its kind, a unit designed from the ground up to maneuver to and maintain positions of relative advantage across multiple domains. With it, the Army will discover, learn, and codify the best practices, and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) required to achieve operational and strategic effects in support of the joint force.
In March 2017, GEN Mark A. Milley, 39th Chief of Staff of the Army, directed a USINDOPACOM-aligned, A2AD-focused pilot program to develop a Multi-Domain Task Force. From the pilot's inception, the Soldiers of the newly conceived Intelligence, Information Operations, Cyber, EW, Space (I2CEWS) Battalion, led the way, through iterative exercises and assessments that formed the design for a standing MDTF. Their groundwork enabled the MDTF to deploy and operate in all domains.
The 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force was activated in September of 2021 in Wiesbaden, Germany and aligned with U.S. Army Europe and Africa. Since activation, the 2nd MDTF has grown exponentially in capability, supporting experimentation and operations across the European and African Theaters alongside our NATO allies and partner nations. The 2nd MDTF has participated in a host of exercises and support to contingency operations on two continents, experimenting with new and emerging capabilities that will shape the future of Large-Scale Combat Operations. The 2nd MDTF will continue to increase its capacity and capability to shape the Army of 2030 and provide a capable force to support, assure and conduct deterrence operations in the European and African theaters.
NARRATOR: The noncommissioned officer in charge for today's change of responsibility ceremony is MSG Ty Wolf. (MSG Commands: DETACHMENT, PRESENT ARMS)
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the playing of the National Anthems of the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America.
The band(S6) plays the National Anthems. Following the last note of the National Anthem, MSG commands DETACHMENT, ORDER ARMS.
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.
NARRATOR: The change of responsibility is a simple yet traditional event that is rich with symbolism and heritage. The key to the ceremony is the passing of the colors. The very soul of a military unit is symbolized in the colors under which it fights, for they represent not only the lineage and honors of the unit, but also the loyalty and unity of its soldiers. The custodian of the colors is the COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR, who is the senior enlisted soldier in the unit, and principal advisor to the commander. During the reading, MSG Wolf moves in front of the color guard, conducts an about face, removes the colors, and conducts another about face. On the action word, LTC Ritzema, with CSM Hurst on his right and CSM Godwin on his left, move within four steps in front of the NCOIC.
NARRATOR: The noncommissioned officer in charge, MSG Wolf will pass the colors to CSM Hurst, who will in turn pass the colors to the Commander. The passing of the colors symbolizes the relinquishment of responsibility and authority from CSM Hurst. The Commander will then pass the colors to CSM Godwin, charging him with the responsibility and authority that comes with his position.
NARRATOR: "Charge orders for CSM Kenneth Godwin. Let it be known from this day forward that the commander of the 2nd Multi Domain Effects Battalion, has placed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, dedication, integrity, and leadership abilities. Therefore, you are hereby appointed as the Command Sergeant Major, 2nd Multi Domain Effects Battalion."
(After the colors have been returned to MSG Wolf, he commands: CENTER, FACE. The NCOIC executes an about face, the two CSMs execute left or right face to face the colors. The NCOIC reseats the colors in the bearers harness and commands over her right shoulder ABOUT, FACE. The entire party, including the CDR, execute an about face.)
(The NCOIC then commands FORWARD, MARCH. The CDR and CSMs step off to march forward. As they are moving forward, the two CSMs switch positions behind the CDR with the new CSM crossing in front of the outgoing commander. The MSG returns to his post behind the color guard.)
Brief pause
Reviewing party returns to their seats.
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the Commander of the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, LTC Aaron S. Ritzema.
Remarks made by LTC Ritzema.
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the outgoing CSM of the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, CSM Danny Hurst.
Remarks made by CSM Hurst.
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, the CSM of 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, CSM Kenneth Godwin.
Remarks made by CSM Godwin
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the playing and singing of the Army Song and remain standing for the retirement of the colors.
After completion of the Army Song, Colors will execute a right face, and march off stage to the rear of the theater.
NARRATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's Change of Responsibility Ceremony. On behalf of the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, thank you for your attendance today. Please join the Command for a reception at XXXXXX following the ceremony. CSM Hurst will remain by the stage for those wishing to say their farewell.
