Capt. Joseph A. Servidio, commander of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., will preside over the ceremony as Lt.j.g. Jeffery D. West assumes command from Lt.j.g. Donald F. Flusche III as commanding officer of the 87-foot Cutter Marlin.

West, a native of Palm City, Fla., graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May 2006 with honors and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.  

Upon his commissioning, West reported aboard the Cutter Kukui, homeported in Honolulu, where he served as Deck Watch Officer, Boarding Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Supply Officer.

West's personal awards include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal with the operational device and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation.

Flusche, a native of Dallas, will be assigned to the command center at the Coast Guard Atlantic Area Headquarters in Portsmouth, Va.

The change of command ceremony preserves the rich heritage of naval tradition. It is a formal custom following military protocol, and is designed to strengthen respect for the continuity of command that is vital to any military organization. The culmination of the ceremony is reached when both officers read their orders, face one another, salute and transfer responsibility for the command. This provides the entire command with the knowledge that the officer directed by proper authority is taking command and an opportunity to witness this transfer of responsibility.  

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