In this paper, the optimal command input is considered in order to minimize the residual vibrations of a flexible cantilever beam when the beam simply changes its position by translation or rotation. Although a cantilever beam has many modes of vibration, it is shown that the consideration of the first mode is sufficient in this case. Thus, the problem becomes a single-degree-of-freedom system subjected to a ground excitation. Two simple methods are proposed to find the optimal command input based on the shock response spectrum (SRS). The first method is the simplest and can be applied to lightly damped cases, and the second method is applicable to more general problems. The second method gives almost the same results as the input shaping method. However the proposed method gives a easier and clearer control strategy.