Photo By Juan J Chiari | Capt. John Madril, former commanding officer of Navy Reserve U.S. Southern Command...... read more read more
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DORAL, Fla. - Family, friends and service members gathered Friday for a dual-unit Navy change of command ceremony held at U.S. Southern Command, located in Doral, Fla.
Navy Reserve U.S. Southern Command Headquarters Unit commanding officer Capt. John Madril, native of Crawford, Ga., was one of the outgoing COs honored during the ceremony.
During his speech, Madril explained the importance of having change of command ceremonies and why the Navy conducts them.
“The change of command ceremony has been steeped in Navy tradition since the Civil War,” he said. “Its purpose is to signify the official transfer of duties from one commanding officer to another for the benefit of the officers, chiefs and crew.”
According to the Naval History and Heritage Command, very little has been written on the subject. Outside of oral customs and traditions passed down from previous ceremonies, the first written mention of procedures dates back to the Civil War. These customs are still the basis of all change of command ceremonies preformed in the Navy today.
Some of the traditions include mustering all command personnel, the outgoing CO reading his or her order of detachment, the incoming CO reading his or her order of relief, and a salute between the officers signifying the change of command.
Madril also thanked family and friends that were part of the approximately 150 personnel in attendance for their continued support of his reserve and civilian careers. According to him, the collected support was instrumental in his success and something he stresses for other reservists to foster.
“As a reservist, we juggle three things: family, our civilian job and our reserve job, all at the same time. So, having that triad of support is critical. Without one of those legs being at the table, it’s not a table any more. It’s a collapsed table,” he said. “Everything we do surrounds and focuses on those three things.”
Madril was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership from December 2011 to November 2014. The award was presented by Rear Adm. Scott B. Jerabek, director of the Theater Engagement Directorate at U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).
During this period, his leadership resulted in the support of 154 reservists from four Navy Reserve units and one U.S. Coast Guard unit to provide 22, 311 days of operational support to eight USSOUTHCOM directorates, three Joint Task Forces and 24 theater military groups. He also supported six critical joint, interagency and multinational exercises as a command Crisis Action Team Battle Staff Director and Battle Watch Captain.
In addition, he worked with the senior Army reservists to develop integration plans to support USSOUTHOCM missions. According to Madril, this was one of the highlights of his tour with the unit.
In a thank you to all the hard work of the service members who supported him, Madril shared a favorite naval saying with the crowd.
“’A rising tide raises all boats’ and our success as leaders is tied to your hard work. So I thank all of you for being the tide that has lifted our boats,” he said.
Madril has flown more than 2,000 flight hours, 100 combat hours, with over 400 aircraft carrier landing throughout his career as a naval aviator. He has also supported relief operations for hurricanes Katrina and Rita, evacuation operations during the Lebanon Crisis and relief efforts following the Haiti Earthquake.
Madril’s next duty will be to take command of U.S Forces Japan, Detachment 105. Currently, he is also the CEO of K&M Trade Partners and resides in Coral Gables, Fla., with his wife and two sons.
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.11.2014 07:13 |
| Story ID: | 147531 |
| Location: | DORAL, FL, US |
| Hometown: | CORAL GABLES, FL, US |
| Hometown: | CRAWFORD, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 381 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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