Passing the Baton Highly Symbolic

March 17, 2010
By 1LT Jason Boothe, Courtesy of Kansas National Guard Public Affairs
Korea, Republic of

To formally launch the 35th Infantry Division’s participation in Operation Key Resolve, General Seung Jo Jung, First Republic of Korea Army Commander, presented Major General M. Wayne Pierson, Commanding General of the 35th Infantry Division, with an honorary Ji-hwi-bong, or Commander’s Baton, on March 8. 

Originally designed as an ornament used to display status among military leaders in Korea, the baton is a symbol of command authority and responsibility in the Korean Army given to new commanders of battalion or larger size units during their assumption of command ceremony.

“In the past, the baton often contained a sword for self-defense, but today represents a symbol of importance and status among military leaders,” said First Lieutenant Choong Seong Kim, Korean army interpreter for Jung.

Pierson said he was very honored and humbled by the presentation. “it was an honor to receive on behalf of all the Soldiers I have commanded in the past 40 years, and it was a ceremony I won’t forget.”

Operation Key Resolve 2010 is an annual joint combined exercise designed to demonstrate support for the Republic of Korea against foreign aggression. It exercises the alliance’s ability to accept U.S. forces from outside of Korea. How these forces are met at the airport, joined with their equipment, and integrated with Korea-based units to carry out combined operations is evaluated. The exercise ends March 18.