Command Sgt. Maj. Ivan Martinez, center, incoming senior enlisted advisor of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), receives the HHBN guidon for the first time, accepting authority and responsibility of HHBN during the HHBN change of responsibility on Fort Drum, New York, Oct. 4, 2024. The passing of the colors is a symbolic tradition representing the change of responsibility and passing of authority between senior leaders within the noncommissioned officer corps. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell)

Command Sgt. Maj. Ivan Martinez, incoming senior enlisted advisor of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), shares a few words during the HHBN change of responsibility ceremony on Fort Drum, New York, Oct. 4, 2024. The ceremony signifies a historic tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority, trust, and responsibility to the incoming senior enlisted advisor. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell)

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Del Rio, outgoing senior enlisted advisor of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), gives departing remarks during the HHBN change of responsibility ceremony on Fort Drum, New York, Oct. 4, 2024. The change of responsibility ceremony is a time-honored tradition that commemorates the symbolic relinquishment of responsibility from one senior noncommissioned officer to another by passing the organizational colors. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell)

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Del Rio, center, outgoing senior enlisted advisor of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion,, 10th Mountain Division (LI), receives the HHBN guidon for the last time, relinquishing authority and responsibility of HHBN during the HHBN change of responsibility on Fort Drum, New York, Oct. 4, 2024. The passing of the colors is a symbolic tradition representing the change of responsibility and passing of authority between senior leaders within the noncommissioned officer corps. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell)

Mally Martinez, wife of incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Ivan Martinez, receives yellow roses to welcome her to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), during the HHBN change of responsibility, Oct. 4, 2024, at Fort Drum, New York. Yellow is the color of new beginnings and symbolizes her arrival to HHBN, in time Mally’s rosebuds will blossom, as will her relationship with the Soldiers and their families. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell)

Yolie Del Rio, wife of outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Del Rio, receives red roses for her dedication to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), during the HHBN change of responsibility, Oct. 4, 2024, on Fort Drum, New York. Red roses signify the bonds of loyalty and affection between the Soldiers and families, and to signify the sorrow of her departure from the unit. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell)

Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), witnessed the change of responsibility ceremony between Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah Delrio, outgoing senior enlisted adviser, and Command Sgt. Maj. Ivan Martinez, incoming senior enlisted adviser, Oct. 4, on Fort Drum.

The change of responsibility symbolizes the transfer of authority from one senior enlisted adviser to the next.

As the ceremony began, Del Rio’s family were presented with a bouquet of red roses, signifying the farewell with love and appreciation for their support during his time with HHBN. Martinez’s family received a bouquet of yellow roses, symbolizing new beginnings and welcoming them to the unit.

After the gifts were presented, the ceremony moved to the passing of the unit colors. The passing of the guidon marks the official exchange of leadership, as the outgoing member holds it for the last time and the incoming member for the first.

Upon taking the guidon from Lt. Col. Christopher Rankin, HHBN commander, Martinez officially took responsibility for the unit and returned the colors to their rightful place with the battalion.

After the passing of the colors, each of the honorees spoke about their pasts and futures with the unit, respectively. Del Rio shared how his time with HHBN has shaped his philosophy of service.

“That rank on your chest, the U.S. Army, and those badges above your heart, you must earn the right to wear those every day,” Del Rio said. “The day you stop living a life of good character, the day you are no longer committed, and the day you stop caring is the day those symbols to service turn into mere pieces of cloth.”

Martinez took the opportunity to express his gratitude and hope for the beginning of his tenure with the unit.

"It is truly an honor to stand here before you today, and I am extremely grateful to be part of such a great organization,” Martinez said. “I look forward to serving alongside you."