The pomp and circumstance of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox's change of command ceremony on Brooks Field at Fort Knox, Kentucky, May 18 included several moments of humor and what leaders described as perfect weather.
Shortly before the start of the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Chris Hughes, the outgoing commanding general, suddenly appeared at the podium, urging attendees to take their seats.
"Believe me, nobody is more eager to get this ceremony over with than me," he said. The crowd erupted in laughter.
Shortly after the start, Hughes passed the colors, and with it, command of Cadet Command and the post, to Brig. Gen. John Evans Jr. in front of a backdrop of waving state and territorial flags. The ceremony marked not only a conclusion to Hughes' two years of service to the command but also 35 years of service to the Army.
General Stephen Townsend, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, hosted the event, which included music by a small band from 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and representatives from the high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and college ROTC programs -- both run by Cadet Command. He started his remarks by praising Hughes for the legacy he is leaving behind.
"I watched Chris command our Army in warfighting units, most famously in Iraq. Chris, you've left a rich legacy, not only here at Cadet Command but across our Army in the course of your 35 years of service; a legacy that's going to benefit our Army, and our nation, for generations to come," Townsend said. "Thank you. Job well done, commander!"
Townsend then turned his attention to Evans, whom he said he has served with two previous times: once at Fort Campbell, and the second and most recent time, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"John knows what combat requires," Townsend said. "He knows the caliber of leaders we need leading our Soldiers in combat. He brings that leadership, that operational experience and a passion for this work that will be required for continuous success at Cadet Command."
Townsend said he believed that while Cadet Command grew stronger under the command of Hughes, Evans is ideally suited to take it into its next chapter. Evans has served in the Army 30 years, 22 of it with special operations. His latest assignment was as the commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne), at Fort Bragg.
"Cadet Command's all about the future," Townsend concluded. "With John Evans at the helm, I'm confident that our future's in good hands."
Hughes provided a humorous public service announcement for U.S. Army Recruiting Command when he took the podium. The commanding general and command sergeant major of USAREC stood amid peals of laughter and bowed.
Hughes also praised Evans' selection as the new commander.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please know the Army absolutely picked the perfect person to take my place," Hughes said. "I could not think of anybody better qualified with the right personality and the right skillset."
Hughes then took a few minutes to honor the men and women of Cadet Command and Fort Knox.
"I've never been in an organization in my life that cares more deeply, that works harder, that laughs louder and appreciates its impact more than the men and women of Cadet Command and the great garrison of Fort Knox, Kentucky," Hughes said.
Hughes' emotions showed later in his speech as he recalled the example set by a "kid of simple means" named Samuel Johnson, who eventually authored the very first English dictionary in 1755 along with over 20 other literary pieces before dying at age 75.
"I pray that I would live by Johnson's example and that of our Army Values that have taught me to always strive to treat others with dignity and respect, publicly acknowledging that the Army gave me, a kid of simple means -- the son of a sergeant -- the opportunity to rise beyond expected station in life and to make a positive difference in other people's lives."
After taking the podium, Evans told the crowd that normally his role at that point in the ceremony would be to tell the troops to "shake it out," since they had been standing, locked up at parade rest, for a while.
Evans looked over his shoulder at an empty field. The crowd laughed.
"Today, we're actually highlighting the Army's new high stealth invisible camo pattern, so that field out there is full of Soldiers -- you just can't see them," he said. "So shake it out, guys. Actually, have a seat if you want to; nobody can see you, anyway."
The crowd laughed.
Evans echoed Hughes sentiments about his newest assignment.
"Caroline, the girls and I are now honored to be members of this incredible team that features so prominently … and truly builds leaders for life," he said. "We're also excited to have the chance to serve this amazing garrison and the surrounding communities."
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