The new commander of the Department

(To Paolo Palumbo)
29/09/18

Yesterday, during a clear day, hot, almost summer, at the carema Vannucci of Livorno there was the ceremony of change of commander of the ninth regiment "Col Moschin", flagship of our armed forces and the only special forces department of the Italian army. Colonel Giuliano Angelucci passed the baton to his parigrado Yuri Grossi, who will now wear tower and stars edged in red. The change of command has a very important significance for any military sector, but for the "boys" of the Col Moschin takes on a deeper value because what the Ninth does is never routine and who will have the task of guiding them will take on a load of very high responsibility.

The incoming commander, Colonel Yuri Grossi, like his predecessors, has deserved this honor to which he will dedicate part of his life sacrificing himself for the good of the regiment. The assumption of the command is, in fact, the extreme act that an official raider can accept: the colonel Angelucci has clearly highlighted it in his speech, which has repeatedly reiterated what it means to "be of the Ninth". However, we should remember that he who sits at the top of a special forces department is not a traditional commander since he has no subordinates or subordinates, except on paper. The relationship that regulates the military life of the raiders is certainly based on the fundamental principles of military life, yet among the incursors more than authority is the authority that makes the difference. In fact, Colonel Grossi can count on the support of officers and non-commissioned officers with proven experience with whom, in many cases, he has already shared the dust and mud of the various operating theaters in which he has been involved. Who before him had the honor of sitting in that office full of memories and historical references to the Arditi di Messe, left something of himself. Among the ANIE veterans everyone remembers in good or bad this or that commander, but nobody will ever forget who shared with them the joys and sorrows of a military life spent at the highest level. This is why the commander of the ward is a man who leads, but who at the same time learns and puts himself to play with his men, with his brothers.

Overall the ceremony was really beautiful: preceded by the launch of four regiment parachuting instructors and then continued until the moment, moved and touching, in which the transferant commander passed the flag to the incoming colonel. The stage was crowded with people, including civil and military authorities, but especially the families of many raiders who share - in a silent and often forgotten - the risks and hardships of their loved ones. Everything took place under the pleased gaze of the commander of COMFOSE, General Ivan Caruso who made best wishes to the new commander thanking the colonel Angelucci for the excellent work.

We wish good work to Colonel Grossi: he has heavy duties, but full of satisfactions because - and he is aware of this - he is at the head of the best army department. With humility and competence he will guide the Ninth towards the future challenges and continuous transformations that have made it permeable to improvements for many years. No one among the raiders has ever known the phrase "to draw back".