MADISON, Wis. – Capt. Robert Saffell, outgoing commander of the 176th Cyber Protection Team, relinquished command to Capt. David Schroeder.
A change of command is a military ceremony rich with symbolism and tradition dating back to medieval times. Soldiers once carried staffs or standards into battle to identify their unit. Throughout history, those unit colors marked the commander’s position on the battlefield and served as a rally point, whether attacking or regrouping, as Soldiers followed their leader’s guidon at the forward edge of the fight. The colors of the guidon represent the authority and responsibilities of the commander of that unit. In formal change of command ceremonies, the passing of the guidon represents the...
Capt. Joshua Long, outgoing commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 641st Troop Command Battalion, smiles after being awarded the Army Commendation Medal by Lt Col. Randall Ramm, commander of 641st Troop Command Battalion, during a change of command ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Madison, Wis., Jan. 10, 2026. Long relinquished command to Capt. Matthew Hicks during the ceremony. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Held)
Wisconsin Army National Guard service members with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, conduct aerial gunnery qualification during annual training at Fort McCoy, Wis., July 26, 2025. Helicopter crews conducted aerial gunnery training to enhance their readiness for future federal missions. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Jack C. Schave)
