https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/change-of-command-post-and-relief-is-the-expense-justified <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm curious how others feel about the over the top change of command or post and relief ceremonies considering the fiscal constraints that are being put on each branch. I ask because recently, the I MEF CG held his change of command at Camp Pendleton CA. I MEF has units spread out all over SoCal and AZ and for the change of command Marines and unit leaders were required to participate in the ceremony and had to take a week of time to prepare. there were static displays of nearly every type of vehicle the MEF uses, there was a mounted color guard, and a 105mm howitzer battery salute. the ceremony lasted all of an hour, but close a 1000 Marines were sidelined from their regular duties for a week to support it. that to me is a waste of money and resources. Thoughts? Fri, 01 May 2015 16:02:23 -0400 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/change-of-command-post-and-relief-is-the-expense-justified <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm curious how others feel about the over the top change of command or post and relief ceremonies considering the fiscal constraints that are being put on each branch. I ask because recently, the I MEF CG held his change of command at Camp Pendleton CA. I MEF has units spread out all over SoCal and AZ and for the change of command Marines and unit leaders were required to participate in the ceremony and had to take a week of time to prepare. there were static displays of nearly every type of vehicle the MEF uses, there was a mounted color guard, and a 105mm howitzer battery salute. the ceremony lasted all of an hour, but close a 1000 Marines were sidelined from their regular duties for a week to support it. that to me is a waste of money and resources. Thoughts? CWO4 Private RallyPoint Member Fri, 01 May 2015 16:02:23 -0400 2015-05-01T16:02:23-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/change-of-command-post-and-relief-is-the-expense-justified?n=634888&urlhash=634888 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Although it seems to be a waste of money and resources it is part of the militarys traditions and heritage which we have started losing anyway. I am not a big fan of having to participant in them but I do understand as you also probablly do why we do them. I say keep the tradition going. 1SG Private RallyPoint Member Fri, 01 May 2015 16:07:23 -0400 2015-05-01T16:07:23-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/change-of-command-post-and-relief-is-the-expense-justified?n=635021&urlhash=635021 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I agree that events such as this are a waste of valuable resources and believe that these things should be scaled back. Otherwise, don't be complaining about not having those resources to accomplish your mission (as is so often the case).<br /><br />This certainly isn't unique to the military though: In my mind, one of the biggest "wastes" of resources (on a grand scale, by the way) is our Commander-in-Chief's habit of jumping on Air Force One to fly somewhere to give a speech that could have just as easily been done from right here in DC (most of the time he uses the speech to preach to Congress anyway). Every time he does that, I just cringe at the thought of all the "scarce" tax dollars that are just getting flushed down the toilet. GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad Fri, 01 May 2015 17:15:39 -0400 2015-05-01T17:15:39-04:00 https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/change-of-command-post-and-relief-is-the-expense-justified?n=635932&urlhash=635932 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>They use money on this stuff then cancel NCOES because there is no funding SSG Private RallyPoint Member Sat, 02 May 2015 01:48:01 -0400 2015-05-02T01:48:01-04:00 2015-05-01T16:02:23-04:00