Cadet Captain Joshua Johnson, center right, accepts the Hope High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Group AR-20101 standard from Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mark Hart to assume command of the HHS group in ceremonies Jan. 22. CCaptain Johnson replaces retiring Cadet Major Britney Alvarado, right, as commander of the group. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools

HOPE – Cadet Captain Joshua Johnson was invested with his insignia of rank by his parents moments before he assumed command Jan. 22 of the Hope High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Corps Group AR-20101 in ceremonies at HHS.

Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mark Hart called for CCapt. Johnson’s parents to come to the stage of the HHS auditorium to perform a rite which Lt. Col. Hart said upheld longstanding Air Force tradition involving service member families.

“This is slightly off-script; but, we just today received Cadet Johnson’s promotion,” Hart explained.

The traditional “Change of Command” relieved retiring Group Commander Cadet Major Britney Alvarado as she completes her senior year at HHS.

“Cadet Major Britney Alvarado has a distinguished record of service to the US Air Force AFJROTC, and especially to AR-20101,” the official text states. “Equally distinctive, Cadet Captain Joshua Johnson will assume command of the Hope High School AFJROTC Group. He has served in numerous positions, most recently as the Alpha Squadron Commander, utilizing his knowledge and skills in supporting the unit’s mission and goals.”

With the statement, “Sir, I relinquish command,” CMajor Alvarado surrendered the group standard to Lt. Col. Hart upon publication of the order for change of command.

Hart presented the standard to CCapt. Johnson, who assumed formal responsibility, authority and accountability for the group with the statement, “Sir, I assume command.”

The “Change of Command” tradition stems from military protocols established in the 18th Century under Frederick the Great of Prussia to stabilize recognition of command in the field of battle.

“He who held the flag also held the soldier’s allegiance,” the official text states.

The ceremony was first adopted in the United States by the Continental Army of the United States, and has evolved to its present form from those roots. The ceremony allows cadets to understand the significance of command responsibility and to build “esprit-de-corps” within the cadet group.