The unit bids a farewell to its graduating seniors. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The 2021-22 Topper Company Cadet Staff. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The newly instated Topper Company 2022-23 Cadet Staff. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
LAHS NJROTC News:
Los Alamos NJROTC held its end-of-the year awards and change of command ceremonies Friday, April 8, at Duane Smith Auditorium. The unit also promoted cadets who passed their most recent advancement exams and acknowledged their departing seniors.
Topper Company’s annual change of command ceremony is held to pass on leadership positions to the cadets who have proven their worthiness for the role and is based upon those held by navies throughout the world.
While not prescribed specifically by U.S. Navy Regulations, the change of command is a time-honored naval tradition. Like many of the ceremonies and traditions of the Navy, it draws its origins from ancient customs and laws of the sea begun early by seafaring men.
The credit for preserving these customs belongs to Navy men and women worldwide who understand the importance of conducting themselves in “accordance with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service”.
By custom, this ceremony is formal and impressive, designed to strengthen the respect for authority so vital to every military organization. The ceremony includes the formal reading of official orders by the relieving officer and the officer relieved. Command passes when the relieving officer says, “I relieve you,” and the officer being relieved responds, “I stand relieved.”
This simple procedure is repeated hundreds of times a day throughout the navies of the world when officers transfer their watchstanding duties aboard ship.
Rising cadets in the program who were interested in joining the 2022-23 cadet command staff started the process by filling out a questionnaire regarding their past accomplishments and future goals for the unit. Seventeen cadets put their names in the hat and went before a selection board consisting of the current officers as well as the Naval Science Instructor.
At the ceremony, the position of Command Officer was passed from C/LCDR Aleena Fullop to C/LCDR Emma Drake. “I can’t tell you how honored I am,” C/LCDR Drake said while addressing the cadets. “To the young men and women of this unit, I’m extremely proud to be your commander. This year has been a significant year of growth for so many of us. I’m so proud of how far we all have come in stepping outside our comfort zones. Let’s continue this into next year and we’ll be on our way to continued success.”
Other new staff members include:
- C/LT Andrew Johnson, Executive Officer
- C/SCPO Jaceena Hornberger, Command Chief Petty Officer
- C/LTJG Megan Crawford, Operations Officer
- C/ENS Kaitlyn Kuropatwinski, Assistant Operations Officer
- C/ENS Rebecca Moss, Administration Officer
- C/ENS Veronica Parra, Training Officer
- C/ENS Emily Baca, Supply Officer
- C/PO2 Sofia West, Assistant Supply Officer
- C/ENS Ian Swift, Junior Supply Officer
- C/PO1 Joshua Danforth, Junior Supply Officer
- C/PO1 Samantha Nash, Junior Supply Officer
- C/ENS Miranda Lopez, Public Affairs Officer
- C/PO2 Alana Hinojosa, Adjutant
- C/PO2 Caleb Moss, Drill Locker Officer
- C/PO2 Adam Deherrera, Armory Officer
The Topper Company Color Guard begins the ceremony. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
C/LCDR Aleena Fullop places her commanding officer aiguillette on the shoulder of her relief, C/LCDR Emma Drake. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
