104th Change of Command Ceremony

Soldiers with the 104th Training Division (Leader Training) participate in a change of command ceremony at the parade field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as Col. Ryan Nielsen assumed command of the division from Brig. Gen. Rodney Fischer. Maj. Gen. Andrew Juknellis, commander of the 108th Training Command, officiated the change of command, while the 104th’s command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Pierce, maintained the division colors. During the ceremony, the three officers marched to their seats, stood for the invocation and presentation of the colors before officially relinquishing and accepting the division’s colors. Each took turns addressing the formation, families and guests before the ceremony ending. Fischer was presented with the shell casing from the ceremonial artillery round fired during the ceremony. Preceding the ceremony, Fischer was presented with a very large version of the 104th’s distinguished unit insignia, which also serves as the design for the command’s challenge coin, among other awards presented to himself, his staff and Juknellis. U.S. Army photos by Capt. Christian Venhuizen and Sgt. 1st Class Darleen Adkins.