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Capt. Bill “Roto” Reuter replaced Capt. Harry Robinson as commanding officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division and Naval Support Activity Orlando during a change of command ceremony at Warfighter Park on June 18.

Capt. Harry Robinson (l) and Capt. Bill “Roto” Reuter. Click here for more photos from this event.

The Change of Command Ceremony is an honored product of the rich heritage of Naval tradition.  The ceremonies, customs and traditions of our Navy draw their origin from ancient customs and laws of the sea begun in historic times by seafaring men.  Eternal credit is due to those who never underestimate the immeasurable value of Naval traditions and ceremonies – the spiritual cement in a Naval organization.

Custom has established that this ceremony be formal and impressive, designed to strengthen that respect for authority which is vital to any military organization.  Parading all hands at quarters and public reading of official orders was designed to ensure that only duly authorized officers held command and that all aboard were aware of its authenticity.

The heart of the ceremony is the formal reading of official orders by the relieving officer and the officer relieved.  Command passes upon utterance by the relieving officer, “I relieve you, sir!”  The officer being relieved responds, “I stand relieved!”  This simple procedure is duplicated hundreds of times daily throughout the Navies of the world as each watch officer passes responsibility to his relief in the conduct of each ship’s routine.

Retired Navy Vice Admiral Al Harms, Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives at the University of Central Florida, provided the Ceremony’s keynote address, recognizing a long-standing partnership in modeling and simulation research enjoyed by the Navy and the University of Central Florida.

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Commander, Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis oversaw the ceremony and a reception followed.  Chief of Staff Navy Region Southeast, Capt. F. Matthew Straughan, was also on hand for the ceremony.

Robinson retires from the Navy following 28 years of honorable service.  He is a graduate of Leadership Orlando Class 74, and has served as an Advisory Member of the Central Florida Partnership Board of Directors. 

In addition to his military duties, Reuter, who resides in the Waterford Chase East neighborhood, is involved in the Central Florida community and will serve as the Class Chair of Leadership Orlando Class 80 beginning in September 2010.  His daughter, Megan, performed the National Anthem.