A MILITARY tradition where the formal transfer of authority and responsibility is passed from one commanding officer to another is known as a Change of Command.
Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Battalion conducted their annual Change of Command and promotion ceremony for the incoming battalion commander.
The ceremony was held on May 12, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Manta Ray Battalion was in a battalion formation as they were positioned in front of Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Monument. The ceremony started off with the Battalion Color Guard presenting the colors while the National and CNMI anthems were sang by C/CPT Rochelle Faustino.
The newly promoted battalion commander, C/LTC Julius Torres, received the colors after being passed through the outgoing commander, C/LTC Martha Gordon, and the SSHS Principal, Mr. Vince Dela Cruz.
The Change of Command ceremony commemorated the outgoing battalion commander, C/LTC Martha Gordon, as she relinquished her position to the incoming battalion commander, C/LTC Julius Torres.
C/LTC Martha Gordon was recognized for her dedication, commitment, and strong leadership abilities while she commanded the Mighty Manta Ray Battalion during SY 21-22. Her successor, C/LTC Julius Torres, will be the next to lead the Mighty Manta Ray Battalion into an aspiring path for SY 2022-2023.
Both outgoing and incoming battalion commanders then celebrated the occasion by cutting a cake shared with the other cadets.
The battalion then had an awards ceremony which was presented by MRB’s SAI CSM (ret.) Richard Basa to celebrate cadets and student leaders who provided support to the Mighty Manta Ray Battalion.
