WILLIAMSBURG — Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command at Cheatham Annex hosted a Change of Command ceremony on May 23 where Captain Matthew Marcinkiewicz was relieved by Captain Christopher Barnes.
A change of command ceremony is a ritual of heritage and naval tradition. During the ceremony, orders are read by the relieving officer and the officer being relieved. While the main purpose of the ceremony is the turnover of responsibility from one officer to another, it also provides the outgoing commanding officer the chance to say goodbye to the officers and enlisted crew.
In attendance at the ceremony were Rear Admiral Matthew Case, Commander of Naval Medical Forces Atlantic/Director of Defense Health Network Atlantic and Chief of the Medical Service Corps; Captain Matthew Marcinkiewicz, Medical Service Corps, United States Navy Commanding Officer, Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command; and Captain Christopher Barnes, MSC, USN Prospective Commanding Officer, Naval Medical Readiness Logistics Command.
In front of family, friends, crew members, and support staff, Captain Barnes was pinned and relieved Captain Marcinkiewicz.