Home  /   News  /  2023  /  CHANGE OF RESPONSIBILITY CEREMONY AT 2ND NATO SIGNAL BATTALION

GRAZZANISE, Italy – on 26 October 2023 Battalion Sergeant Major, OR-9 Donley F. Woodley took over the duties and responsibilities of the 2NSB Battalion Sergeant Major, OR-9 Gary D. Oliver during a ceremony hosted by Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin A. Schneller, Commander NCISG 2NSB.  

In attendance were OR-7 Jesse Davila, HQ; OR-9 Giuseppe D’Amico, Maintenance & Support Company; OR-7 Jekia Harris, DCM-A (USA); OR-9 Gerardo Genovese, DCM-B (ITA); OR-8 Tavis Mitchell, DCM-C (USA); OR-9 Federico Sambiase, DCM-D (ITA); OR-9 Jean Popescu, DCM-E (ROU) and OR-9 Ivan Todorov, DCM-F (BGR).

Change of Responsibility ceremony, Grazzanise, Italy, 26 October 2023, from the left: Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin A. Schneller, Commander NCISG 2NSB; Command Sergeant Major Donley F. Woodley, and Command Sergeant Major Gary D. Oliver.

The change of responsibility is a traditional event that is rich with symbolism and heritage. The key to the ceremony is the passing of the unit’s colors. 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 ensures inspiration for its future.

The custodian of the colors is the Command Sergeant Major as the Senior Enlisted Leader in the unit and principal advisor to the Commander. 

Change of Responsibility ceremony, Grazzanise, Italy, 26 October 2023.

History dictates that the colors lead the unit into battle. This tradition continues today as evidenced by the prominence of the unit.