Passing the Guidon: 43 ECS Change of Command

It was rough to say good-bye, but I am confident in our next Commander, and take care in knowing “Once a Bat, Always a Bat!” (#OABAAB)

Below is my 43 ECS Change of Command Speech (2019), as the outbound Commander…

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The only thing constant is change…so embrace it! Own it.  Make it your own.  Make it better.  We have accomplished some incredible things over these past two years, we have grown and developed as a Bat Family, but that doesn’t stop with change.  It only adjusts our roles.  And in those new roles…I can’t wait to see what will come next.

I mentioned family, the oh-so important context for everything we do.  To my family (Live-streaming on Facebook), thank you for enduring the crazy work hours and struggle to find our balance.  To Jason, Jenny, and the girls, welcome to the Bat Family (again).  That is why this day is so tough…we have an incredible Bat Family.  

Command is NOT about the position, the title, or the Authority.  It is NOT a step towards the next echelon in career progression.  It is about leading that family through the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly.  It requires hard decisions.  It is personal.  It is emotional.  “Working hard for something you don’t care about (or for the wrong reasons) is called stress.  Working hard for something we love is called passion.”  That passion is what drives us to do better, to BE better, to challenge the status quo, and to do whatever it takes to empower all of us to excel.

“Working hard for something you don’t care about (or for the wrong reasons) is called stress.  Working hard for something we love is called passion.” (Simon Sinek)

Jason and Jenny, I am excited to see you lead the Bats forward.  I am excited to pass this guidon to someone I trust, and to a friend.  You will have your own style, and put your own stamp on the next two years, but know that I believe in you.  You will do well. 

It’s also not just about us.  Look around, we all need to drive toward something better, and to do so, we must do it bigger…and do it together.  Col Acquaro, thank you for the trust and confidence over these past two years, I still wish I could stay, but I believe Lt Col Kerbs will be awesome.  To all of our community, to the Jammers, and to the Bats…

Thank You and Lead Well…

-Lt Col Chris “Buck” Weaton

(Video)

#ChallengetheQuo

#LeadWell