WEBVTT 00:02.985 --> 00:05.871 - Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Naval War College 00:05.871 --> 00:07.426 graduation ceremony. 00:07.426 --> 00:09.794 I am Captain Patrick Keyes, the Dean of Students, 00:09.794 --> 00:12.651 and will be serving as the emcee for today's ceremony. 00:12.651 --> 00:14.275 You're welcome to take photographs at any time 00:14.275 --> 00:16.057 throughout the ceremony. 00:16.057 --> 00:18.907 We have official photographers taking pictures today, 00:18.907 --> 00:22.394 and you will find those photos posted on our Flickr site, 00:22.394 --> 00:25.109 found on the back of your program, for you to download. 00:25.109 --> 00:27.391 At this time, as a courtesy, please put your cell phones 00:27.391 --> 00:30.233 on silent or vibrate, and please remain seated 00:30.233 --> 00:32.483 for the student procession. 00:38.400 --> 00:42.567 (orchestra playing "Pomp and Circumstance") 02:24.300 --> 02:25.884 Please rise and remain standing 02:25.884 --> 02:28.146 for the arrival of the official party, 02:28.146 --> 02:30.813 national anthem, and invocation. 02:41.618 --> 02:45.785 (orchestra playing "Officer of the Day") 03:32.824 --> 03:36.356 The national anthem will be sung by musician first class 03:36.356 --> 03:39.295 Dan Smith from the navy band, northeast. 03:39.295 --> 03:41.301 Please join him in singing the 03:41.301 --> 03:43.801 United States national anthem. 03:49.670 --> 03:52.837 ♫ Oh, say can you see 03:53.829 --> 03:57.496 ♫ By the dawn's early light 03:58.264 --> 04:01.931 ♫ What so proudly we hailed 04:03.137 --> 04:07.304 ♫ At the twilight's last gleaming 04:07.668 --> 04:11.835 ♫ Whose broad stripes and bright stars 04:12.428 --> 04:16.178 ♫ Through the perilous fight 04:17.342 --> 04:21.259 ♫ O'er the ramparts we watched 04:22.382 --> 04:26.215 ♫ Were so gallantly streaming 04:27.860 --> 04:31.610 ♫ And the rocket's red glare 04:33.360 --> 04:37.027 ♫ The bombs bursting in air 04:38.052 --> 04:41.969 ♫ Gave proof through the night 04:43.607 --> 04:47.607 ♫ That our flag was still there 04:49.480 --> 04:52.480 ♫ Oh, say does that 04:53.080 --> 04:56.330 ♫ Star-spangled banner 04:57.752 --> 05:00.002 ♫ Yet wave 05:02.461 --> 05:06.128 ♫ O'er the land of the free 05:09.546 --> 05:13.213 ♫ And the home of the brave 05:25.356 --> 05:26.972 - Commander David M. Todd, 05:26.972 --> 05:29.144 Chaplin of the Naval Leadership and Ethics Center, 05:29.144 --> 05:31.477 will deliver the invocation. 05:35.090 --> 05:36.257 - Let us pray. 05:38.494 --> 05:40.070 Almighty God we pray your blessings 05:40.070 --> 05:42.538 upon these graduates of the College of Naval Command 05:42.538 --> 05:46.055 and Staff, and the College of Naval Warfare, 05:46.055 --> 05:48.888 we gather to honor this afternoon. 05:48.978 --> 05:51.430 Your word reminds us as iron sharpens iron, 05:51.430 --> 05:54.013 so one person sharpens another. 05:54.392 --> 05:55.632 For the past academic year, 05:55.632 --> 05:57.903 these leaders have had their minds sharpened by 05:57.903 --> 06:00.736 the rigors of study and new ideas. 06:01.117 --> 06:02.756 Their experience and insight tempered on the 06:02.756 --> 06:05.288 anvil of reflection and critique, 06:05.288 --> 06:07.038 and their critical reasoning refined 06:07.038 --> 06:09.265 through the crucible of academic discourse, 06:09.265 --> 06:11.182 debate, and discussion. 06:11.537 --> 06:13.461 We give you thanks for sustaining them through every 06:13.461 --> 06:15.628 test, exercise, and paper, 06:16.798 --> 06:18.582 and the perseverance that enabled them 06:18.582 --> 06:21.127 to run the course with endurance, 06:21.127 --> 06:25.089 and ask your providential care and blessing be upon them. 06:25.089 --> 06:27.453 Bless also the faculty and staff that have instructed, 06:27.453 --> 06:30.471 challenged, and demanded more of these students, 06:30.471 --> 06:32.310 that they might be fully equipped and ready 06:32.310 --> 06:33.893 for the task ahead. 06:34.284 --> 06:35.884 And for the family and friends who have encouraged 06:35.884 --> 06:39.134 and supported them, we give you thanks. 06:39.264 --> 06:40.998 We pray that you would use this ceremony to 06:40.998 --> 06:44.309 stir in each of us, a renewed desire to engage 06:44.309 --> 06:46.669 the challenges that lie ahead, 06:46.669 --> 06:48.823 and a firm commitment to fulfill our role 06:48.823 --> 06:51.587 in serving the cause of security, prosperity, 06:51.587 --> 06:53.008 and peace for all. 06:53.008 --> 06:55.239 Looking forward to the day when your truth, justice, 06:55.239 --> 06:57.316 and righteousness shall reign. 06:57.316 --> 06:58.149 Amen. 07:07.125 --> 07:08.637 - Ladies and gentlemen please be seated. 07:08.637 --> 07:10.763 It gives me great pleasure to introduce the members 07:10.763 --> 07:12.596 of our official party. 07:13.455 --> 07:15.553 Captain Edmund Hernandez, Chair, 07:15.553 --> 07:18.059 Joint Military Operations Department. 07:18.059 --> 07:20.140 Professor Walt Wildemann, Director, 07:20.140 --> 07:22.596 College of Distance Education. 07:22.596 --> 07:25.132 Doctor Michael Pavkovic, Chair, 07:25.132 --> 07:27.715 Strategy and Policy Department. 07:27.830 --> 07:29.541 Doctor David Cooper, Chair, 07:29.541 --> 07:32.624 National Security Affairs Department. 07:32.742 --> 07:35.742 Doctor Phil Haun, Dean of Academics. 07:36.352 --> 07:38.625 Doctor Jay Hickey, Associate Provost, 07:38.625 --> 07:40.576 United States Naval War College. 07:40.576 --> 07:43.374 And Rear Admiral Jeffrey A. Harley, 07:43.374 --> 07:46.800 the 56th President of the United States Naval War College. 07:46.800 --> 07:48.800 Sir, the stage is yours. 07:54.172 --> 07:55.589 - Good afternoon. 07:57.126 --> 07:59.660 I am particularly honored to be here today 07:59.660 --> 08:01.910 at this graduation ceremony 08:02.071 --> 08:04.278 to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments 08:04.278 --> 08:05.695 of our graduates. 08:06.511 --> 08:09.511 The Naval War College Class of 2017, 08:09.981 --> 08:12.982 and to formally mark their transition from intellectually 08:12.982 --> 08:15.118 curious students at arrival, 08:15.118 --> 08:17.777 to the enlightened and dedicated professionals in strategy 08:17.777 --> 08:21.360 and national security they represent today. 08:22.170 --> 08:25.486 I simply hope my words today reinforce your experience 08:25.486 --> 08:29.284 of this last year, and perhaps in some small way 08:29.284 --> 08:33.451 tie together the threads of this rigorous year of education. 08:34.004 --> 08:36.805 For today, you all join the long line of 08:36.805 --> 08:39.667 Naval War College graduates that extends back 08:39.667 --> 08:40.917 over 131 years. 08:42.569 --> 08:45.253 You are the new line of leaders from a list 08:45.253 --> 08:47.910 that includes the heroes that helped make our nation, 08:47.910 --> 08:50.515 and countless more unsung heroes whose daily efforts 08:50.515 --> 08:54.682 defined our nation, and set the course we follow today. 08:55.709 --> 08:58.554 Through your dedicated efforts and hard work, 08:58.554 --> 09:01.835 you have also been able to refine your war fighting skills 09:01.835 --> 09:05.388 and grown as members of the profession of arms. 09:05.388 --> 09:08.382 Although each of you worked very hard to be here today, 09:08.382 --> 09:10.356 let's not forget the tremendous efforts 09:10.356 --> 09:13.809 of our brilliant and committed faculty and staff. 09:13.809 --> 09:16.780 To the faculty and staff I would like to say thank you, 09:16.780 --> 09:19.348 and bless you for your gift to this 09:19.348 --> 09:21.515 new generation of leaders. 09:22.699 --> 09:25.296 I also want to say thank you to the families and friends 09:25.296 --> 09:26.796 who join us today. 09:27.133 --> 09:29.400 Thank you for supporting your spouses, your children, 09:29.400 --> 09:31.543 your brothers, your sisters, and friends, 09:31.543 --> 09:34.242 during their hard work here at the college. 09:34.242 --> 09:36.562 Your presence not only makes this celebration 09:36.562 --> 09:38.984 more memorable for your graduates, 09:38.984 --> 09:41.802 it recognizes your role in the accomplishments 09:41.802 --> 09:43.802 that we celebrate today. 09:45.027 --> 09:47.575 Life in the military takes a team. 09:47.575 --> 09:50.020 Your love, encouragement, and support, 09:50.020 --> 09:53.103 are the foundation of all that we do. 09:53.327 --> 09:56.261 Thank you for your love and support. 09:56.261 --> 09:58.261 Speaking of foundations, 09:58.384 --> 10:00.672 the Naval War College Foundation selflessly gives 10:00.672 --> 10:03.219 millions of dollars of support to ensure the 10:03.219 --> 10:06.719 continued greatness of this great college. 10:07.049 --> 10:09.056 I remember joining the foundation as a way of 10:09.056 --> 10:12.494 continuing my ties with this special institution. 10:12.494 --> 10:16.066 Many thanks for the foundation's generosity. 10:16.066 --> 10:18.566 Bless you all for what you do. 10:19.754 --> 10:23.100 So it's been almost 20 years since I graduated from 10:23.100 --> 10:26.916 this amazing institution, your Naval War College. 10:26.916 --> 10:29.833 And I remember how I felt that day. 10:30.275 --> 10:32.102 I remember that feeling of accomplishment 10:32.102 --> 10:34.657 for completing a rigorous course of study, 10:34.657 --> 10:37.990 a two year master's degree in 10 months. 10:38.088 --> 10:40.714 I remember the joy of having a new set of skills, 10:40.714 --> 10:43.049 a new mental toolkit perhaps, 10:43.049 --> 10:46.216 the new ability for critical thinking. 10:47.034 --> 10:51.201 I remember how awed I was by this extraordinary faculty, 10:51.531 --> 10:54.523 and I am sure some of my professors were equally awed 10:54.523 --> 10:57.198 that I was able to somehow squeak by in this environment 10:57.198 --> 11:01.365 so far from the operational environment I knew so well. 11:01.424 --> 11:03.791 I remember the camaraderie of my classmates, 11:03.791 --> 11:05.044 both international, 11:05.044 --> 11:08.847 and from the then-alien world of joint services. 11:08.847 --> 11:12.764 I was a better officer from those days forward. 11:12.795 --> 11:15.218 And I remember the slight hint of uncertainty, 11:15.218 --> 11:18.904 a trepidation, perhaps even a small touch of fear, 11:18.904 --> 11:22.135 about the road ahead, and the more demanding assignments 11:22.135 --> 11:24.468 that potentially awaited me. 11:25.806 --> 11:29.973 I trust some of you may have some of these same feelings. 11:30.132 --> 11:33.082 And now you go forward not merely to execute, 11:33.082 --> 11:35.283 for God blessed you to lead others to the gates of hell 11:35.283 --> 11:37.157 and back when called upon, 11:37.157 --> 11:38.907 but rather, to think. 11:40.251 --> 11:42.855 To help shape the contours of the debate, 11:42.855 --> 11:46.677 to help assess and clarify the seemingly impossible, 11:46.677 --> 11:49.912 to provide the key argument that carries the day, 11:49.912 --> 11:52.653 to be the light of the ethical standard 11:52.653 --> 11:54.486 for others to emulate. 11:54.874 --> 11:58.977 But most importantly to distill the essence of courage 11:58.977 --> 12:00.560 in all that you do. 12:01.627 --> 12:05.758 Albert Einstein said, any intelligent fool can make things 12:05.758 --> 12:08.586 bigger, more complex, and more violent. 12:08.586 --> 12:11.617 It takes a touch of genius, and a lot of courage, 12:11.617 --> 12:14.450 to move in the opposite direction. 12:14.937 --> 12:16.739 And you may not know it, 12:16.739 --> 12:18.739 but you are that genius. 12:19.464 --> 12:21.714 You now muster the courage. 12:21.861 --> 12:22.778 If not you, 12:23.754 --> 12:24.587 then who? 12:25.544 --> 12:27.711 And if not now, then when? 12:28.903 --> 12:32.619 Each of you will return to positions of great responsibility 12:32.619 --> 12:35.197 in government, at headquarter staffs, 12:35.197 --> 12:38.030 and even leading forces in combat. 12:38.062 --> 12:40.855 Knowing this, I am reminded of the great 12:40.855 --> 12:43.788 American revolutionary hero John Paul Jones, 12:43.788 --> 12:47.538 who said, sign on young man and sail with me, 12:48.007 --> 12:49.924 the stature of our homeland is no more than 12:49.924 --> 12:52.007 the measure of ourselves. 12:52.045 --> 12:54.378 Our job is to keep her free, 12:54.440 --> 12:58.380 our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. 12:58.380 --> 13:01.875 To this solemn purpose, we call on the young, the brave, 13:01.875 --> 13:03.958 the strong, and the free. 13:03.995 --> 13:08.078 Heed my call, come to the sea, come sail with me. 13:09.415 --> 13:13.582 Today, you sail away to destinations far and near, 13:13.663 --> 13:15.683 distant corners of the globe. 13:15.683 --> 13:17.391 To strange and curious cultures, 13:17.391 --> 13:20.133 including a place called Pentagon. 13:20.133 --> 13:22.681 To further define the stature of your homeland, 13:22.681 --> 13:25.845 to keep her free, to even the last full measure of devotion 13:25.845 --> 13:30.012 if required to keep that torch of freedom burning for now 13:30.576 --> 13:31.909 and forevermore. 13:32.869 --> 13:36.507 And so today, we graduate 12 students from the 13:36.507 --> 13:39.931 Nimitz course, taught by the College of Naval Warfare, 13:39.931 --> 13:41.872 and the Naval Command College. 13:41.872 --> 13:44.624 And 44 students from the Spruentz course, 13:44.624 --> 13:46.810 taught by the College of Naval Command and Staff, 13:46.810 --> 13:49.030 and the Naval Staff College. 13:49.030 --> 13:51.613 Congratulations to each of you. 13:52.215 --> 13:55.043 This past year of in-residence education 13:55.043 --> 13:58.138 is truly a gift from the nation to you. 13:58.138 --> 14:01.032 As you continue to grow in rank and responsibility, 14:01.032 --> 14:04.864 you'll find there's no more precious a commodity than time, 14:04.864 --> 14:08.012 and you've just been given a gift of a year of study, 14:08.012 --> 14:09.845 reflection and debate. 14:10.271 --> 14:12.650 A gift of time to grow intellectually, 14:12.650 --> 14:15.174 and to prepare for the challenges that wait. 14:15.174 --> 14:18.007 Do not take this gift for granted. 14:18.477 --> 14:22.644 I ask each of you to be the best war fighter you can be, 14:22.864 --> 14:26.029 to be ready for the terror of war if it comes. 14:26.029 --> 14:30.196 To be ready, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. 14:30.505 --> 14:33.316 Our world is more dangerous than ever before, 14:33.316 --> 14:37.241 and like Sparta, our warriors must be ever-ready. 14:37.241 --> 14:40.564 I am fond of quoting Shakespeare's Henry V, 14:40.564 --> 14:43.197 mostly because it reminds me of the humanity, 14:43.197 --> 14:47.114 the simple elements that tie us one to another. 14:47.167 --> 14:49.427 But Henry V also found his world more dangerous 14:49.427 --> 14:50.844 than ever before. 14:51.145 --> 14:54.016 His conclusion was also the need for courage 14:54.016 --> 14:55.849 against daunting odds. 14:56.055 --> 14:59.921 Henry said, "Tis true that we are in great danger, 14:59.921 --> 15:03.754 "the greater therefore should our courage be." 15:04.242 --> 15:06.984 I ask you all then to have courage. 15:06.984 --> 15:09.270 Know your faith is not misplaced either in God, 15:09.270 --> 15:11.887 or in a nation that for all its warts, 15:11.887 --> 15:14.387 is unmatched in all the world. 15:14.618 --> 15:17.118 There is no nation like yours. 15:17.321 --> 15:19.238 No military as capable. 15:19.473 --> 15:23.640 No skilled thinkers as abundant and war-tested as you. 15:24.031 --> 15:27.845 You are the asymmetric advantage that must hold tight 15:27.845 --> 15:30.257 to the strained sinews of liberty 15:30.257 --> 15:32.757 that echoes in your very soul. 15:33.729 --> 15:37.896 I ask each of you to also develop the constructs of peace. 15:38.194 --> 15:40.695 To rage against the dying of the light. 15:40.695 --> 15:43.797 To give our children one more month, one more day, 15:43.797 --> 15:47.045 one more minute, one more precious second of peace, 15:47.045 --> 15:48.128 where we can. 15:49.480 --> 15:51.994 The UNESCO quotation on the wall of the de Weldon 15:51.994 --> 15:54.661 corridor should speak to us all. 15:55.615 --> 15:57.870 "Since wars begin in the minds of men, 15:57.870 --> 15:59.750 "it is in the minds of men that defenses of peace 15:59.750 --> 16:01.583 "must be constructed." 16:02.003 --> 16:04.782 You attended the world's best war college, 16:04.782 --> 16:07.367 but its greatness is not only a better understanding 16:07.367 --> 16:11.534 of war, but also an understanding of the enablers of peace, 16:11.810 --> 16:15.143 in order to make conflict a last resort. 16:15.707 --> 16:17.624 As we stand here today, 16:17.785 --> 16:20.970 a mere century from a world war that was almost automated 16:20.970 --> 16:22.803 in its trigger nature, 16:23.030 --> 16:27.197 we must reflect on the horrible costs of our work. 16:27.838 --> 16:30.177 The best articulation I have seen 16:30.177 --> 16:32.997 remains our very own Professor Sally Paine 16:32.997 --> 16:35.389 in her book The Wars For Asia, 16:35.389 --> 16:38.050 when she implores us to remember 16:38.050 --> 16:41.341 that wars produce sudden and irrevocable changes. 16:41.341 --> 16:43.082 Although they are fought for reasons, 16:43.082 --> 16:45.133 they can stampede passions, 16:45.133 --> 16:47.666 and mass passions give no quarter to reason 16:47.666 --> 16:51.181 let alone to any individuals barring the way. 16:51.181 --> 16:55.213 Millions of lives lost means millions of roads not taken, 16:55.213 --> 16:58.004 altering the roster of the born and the unborn, 16:58.004 --> 17:01.117 and producing decisions informed by the road taken. 17:01.117 --> 17:03.130 The passions elicited by the killing, the dying, 17:03.130 --> 17:06.905 and the witnessing, put a period on the way the world was. 17:06.905 --> 17:09.016 The combustion of reason and passion leaves 17:09.016 --> 17:12.405 transformative, and often unintended outcomes, 17:12.405 --> 17:14.555 which in the long term may prove more important 17:14.555 --> 17:16.845 than the war's original purpose. 17:16.845 --> 17:21.012 Given the costs, unpredictability, and irretrievability, 17:21.020 --> 17:23.770 wars are important to understand. 17:25.298 --> 17:28.811 I ask you therefore, to understand your art, 17:28.811 --> 17:32.148 and the need for the constructs of war and peace. 17:32.148 --> 17:35.176 I hope this college has given you the skills. 17:35.176 --> 17:38.009 Really, I hope it has been a gift. 17:38.265 --> 17:41.014 Our art can never be an independent task, 17:41.014 --> 17:43.484 divorced from policy of our nation. 17:43.484 --> 17:45.889 Our professor, Milan Vego tells us, 17:45.889 --> 17:49.107 in a concept no doubt hammered home in your studies, 17:49.107 --> 17:51.479 that to have any lasting value, 17:51.479 --> 17:53.849 tactical successes must be achieved as part of a 17:53.849 --> 17:56.129 larger and broader framework 17:56.129 --> 17:58.962 determined by strategy and policy. 18:00.529 --> 18:03.293 You now go forward to be the individuals 18:03.293 --> 18:05.244 who will determine that strategy 18:05.244 --> 18:07.744 and contribute to that policy, 18:07.795 --> 18:09.986 and your journey will take you into the halls 18:09.986 --> 18:14.050 of the most powerful decision-making forums in the world. 18:14.050 --> 18:18.217 I hope, nay I know, our great college has prepared you 18:18.807 --> 18:20.224 for this journey. 18:20.967 --> 18:23.068 So I'll close now with the words of the great 18:23.068 --> 18:26.242 British philosopher, Christopher Robin, 18:26.242 --> 18:30.409 who said to his friend Pooh Bear on a day much like today, 18:30.876 --> 18:34.348 "If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together, 18:34.348 --> 18:37.082 "there is something you must always remember, 18:37.082 --> 18:41.249 "you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, 18:41.510 --> 18:43.927 "and smarter than you think." 18:44.518 --> 18:47.685 And so, braver, stronger, and smarter, 18:49.032 --> 18:51.572 at the conclusion of this year of study, 18:51.572 --> 18:53.905 all of us wish you Godspeed. 18:54.950 --> 18:56.783 God bless us everyone. 18:58.032 --> 19:01.199 (audience applauding) 19:08.197 --> 19:10.921 - Thank you for those remarks Admiral Harley. 19:10.921 --> 19:13.326 For each graduating class, one student is selected 19:13.326 --> 19:16.312 for recognition as the president's honor graduate. 19:16.312 --> 19:18.331 Recipients of this award are chosen based on their 19:18.331 --> 19:21.193 outstanding achievement across a spectrum of disciplines 19:21.193 --> 19:23.776 including academic performance, 19:24.070 --> 19:26.854 participation in Naval War College activities, 19:26.854 --> 19:30.478 participation in civic and community activities, 19:30.478 --> 19:33.415 and promotion of armed and government services 19:33.415 --> 19:35.332 in the public interest. 19:37.068 --> 19:38.946 For the College of Naval Warfare, 19:38.946 --> 19:42.598 the honor graduate of the November 2016 graduating class 19:42.598 --> 19:44.931 is Commander Jeffrey Palmer. 19:45.406 --> 19:49.573 Commander Palmer, would you please come to the stage. 19:57.133 --> 20:00.667 Commander Palmer served as a seminar academic rep, 20:00.667 --> 20:03.505 chaired for NSA academic committee, 20:03.505 --> 20:06.838 member of Halsey Bravo research project, 20:07.628 --> 20:09.085 wrote an article that was published in 20:09.085 --> 20:10.895 the National Interest, 20:10.895 --> 20:15.062 served in a soup kitchen for the Evangelical Friend Church, 20:15.366 --> 20:19.033 participated in Newport adult soccer league, 20:19.500 --> 20:23.667 and probably his most demanding accomplishment of all, 20:24.760 --> 20:27.760 was welcoming the Palmer quadruplets 20:28.000 --> 20:31.833 to the Palmer and the Navy War College family. 20:32.708 --> 20:35.875 (audience applauding) 20:41.876 --> 20:43.884 Along with the certificate, he's receiving 20:43.884 --> 20:46.232 an engraved Weems & Plath compass from the 20:46.232 --> 20:48.649 Naval War College Foundation. 20:53.070 --> 20:55.425 For the College of Naval Command and Staff, 20:55.425 --> 20:59.592 the honor graduate for the November 2016 graduating class is 20:59.948 --> 21:01.948 Lieutenant Coleman Ward. 21:02.051 --> 21:03.547 Lieutenant Ward would you please come to the stage 21:03.547 --> 21:05.380 to receive your award. 21:11.952 --> 21:14.360 Lieutenant Ward served as a seminar leader 21:14.360 --> 21:18.277 and academic officer, Halsey Alpha team leader, 21:18.470 --> 21:21.139 participated in Naval War College hockey league, 21:21.139 --> 21:24.036 and wrote an article on distributed lethality 21:24.036 --> 21:26.007 that was published by the Center for International 21:26.007 --> 21:27.840 and Maritime Security. 21:28.680 --> 21:31.530 Along with a certificate, he's receiving an engraved 21:31.530 --> 21:35.697 Weems & Platt compass from the Naval War College Foundation. 21:44.885 --> 21:48.052 (audience applauding) 21:55.817 --> 21:57.443 We'll now give our honor graduates a few moments 21:57.443 --> 22:01.526 to address their fellow graduates and classmates. 22:05.099 --> 22:06.809 - Thank you admiral, this is a great honor. 22:06.809 --> 22:07.884 I think the biggest reason I'm up here though 22:07.884 --> 22:10.128 is as Captain Keyes referred to, 22:10.128 --> 22:11.415 I've maxed out the degree of difficulty 22:11.415 --> 22:13.915 and somehow stuck the landing. 22:14.022 --> 22:15.330 And I've got some people to thank in that regard, 22:15.330 --> 22:16.380 but I'll get back to that in a minute. 22:16.380 --> 22:19.941 First off, I'd like to thank all my moderators 22:19.941 --> 22:23.941 for NSDM, Mary Raum, Jamison Hines, Nik Gvosdev, 22:23.955 --> 22:27.222 who really challenged me in terms of my thinking. 22:27.222 --> 22:29.704 Professor Gvosdev additionally gave me an opportunity 22:29.704 --> 22:31.660 to do some research for him over the summer, 22:31.660 --> 22:34.514 and helped smooth the way towards publishing, 22:34.514 --> 22:38.681 which is a real gratifying career milestone to make for me. 22:39.195 --> 22:40.577 Commander John Sheehan and Rick Moss 22:40.577 --> 22:41.867 went out of their way to work with me 22:41.867 --> 22:43.234 despite the split attention I had during 22:43.234 --> 22:44.901 strategy and policy. 22:45.339 --> 22:47.597 Jamie Gannon and Lieutenant Colonel Tony New 22:47.597 --> 22:50.430 did an excellent job of refereeing 22:50.786 --> 22:52.703 a vigorous JMO seminar. 22:53.636 --> 22:57.576 And Rick Moss again, Hank Camrat and Bill Murray 22:57.576 --> 23:00.649 were great facilitators for the Halsey Bravo program. 23:00.649 --> 23:02.014 Very thankful to all the moderators, 23:02.014 --> 23:03.084 I've learned a lot from them, 23:03.084 --> 23:04.137 and had a lot of fun doing it. 23:04.137 --> 23:06.543 And I learned I have a lot more to learn too, 23:06.543 --> 23:09.543 so that's my homework going forward. 23:09.988 --> 23:11.877 Also like to thank my classmates, 23:11.877 --> 23:12.907 particularly from the seminars, 23:12.907 --> 23:15.921 but also across the entire span of the 23:15.921 --> 23:18.004 College of Naval Warfare. 23:18.204 --> 23:22.371 They made this a real sharpening iron experience for me, 23:22.515 --> 23:24.734 and I'll always be thankful for it. 23:24.734 --> 23:27.660 So, getting back to that degree of difficulty thing, 23:27.660 --> 23:31.827 so yeah, we came here with two kids and we leave with six. 23:32.782 --> 23:34.527 Jill and I had quadruplets in February, 23:34.527 --> 23:36.641 right at the beginning of the NSDM exercise, 23:36.641 --> 23:40.808 I really recommend that time frame to do this kind of thing. 23:41.073 --> 23:45.240 In all seriousness though, across the staff, the faculty, 23:45.865 --> 23:48.377 seminar mates, dean of students office, I'll call out 23:48.377 --> 23:50.530 Commander Bill Hendrickson in particular but 23:50.530 --> 23:52.653 everyone across the span gave us the help, 23:52.653 --> 23:55.579 the space we needed to go see our kids in the NICU 23:55.579 --> 23:57.850 in Providence, to take kids to doctor's appointments 23:57.850 --> 24:01.817 in Boston, just very understanding across the board. 24:01.817 --> 24:04.727 People brought us meals, took time to hold a baby, 24:04.727 --> 24:07.894 and we'll always be thankful for that. 24:08.794 --> 24:12.216 Finally, I'm sorry, I also should thank the officers' club 24:12.216 --> 24:13.746 for understanding when we took over their elevator 24:13.746 --> 24:15.913 with all of our strollers. 24:16.220 --> 24:17.767 Great place for kids. 24:17.767 --> 24:20.560 And we talked about Evangelical Friends Church in Newport, 24:20.560 --> 24:22.335 they're a lot of War College students that are part of 24:22.335 --> 24:25.663 that church, and that church was a real support to us 24:25.663 --> 24:26.496 during this time. 24:26.496 --> 24:30.211 So the college, and the whole community should feel 24:30.211 --> 24:33.057 really good all the support they gave a shipmate, 24:33.057 --> 24:34.140 so thank you. 24:34.678 --> 24:37.599 So having said all that, I feel a bit teased 24:37.599 --> 24:39.099 to have come here. 24:39.966 --> 24:41.225 It's not just because we couldn't go into all the 24:41.225 --> 24:43.892 restaurants in downtown Newport. 24:43.897 --> 24:45.524 It's about the college itself. 24:45.524 --> 24:47.864 There's so much goodness going on here 24:47.864 --> 24:49.476 across the departments. 24:49.476 --> 24:51.371 And I know I just got a small sample of it. 24:51.371 --> 24:54.438 I know my classmates got more of it to see. 24:54.438 --> 24:58.041 I wanted to call out specifically Gene Andersen, 24:58.041 --> 25:00.523 Liz Cavallaro, and the rest of the folks in Causal 25:00.523 --> 25:02.518 who put on the personal development course 25:02.518 --> 25:04.571 during the summer, and also run the electives program. 25:04.571 --> 25:08.071 That was a real development moment for me, 25:09.339 --> 25:10.983 real critical at this time in my career 25:10.983 --> 25:14.089 and I really appreciate the fact that we support that. 25:14.089 --> 25:16.596 And then I'll also say thank you to my first experience 25:16.596 --> 25:19.236 with the War College, which was the strategic studies group. 25:19.236 --> 25:20.562 And though that group has sunset, 25:20.562 --> 25:22.333 I tried to bring some of that goodness and boldness 25:22.333 --> 25:24.065 that's part of the group into my seminars, 25:24.065 --> 25:27.065 so I hope I've been able to do that. 25:27.616 --> 25:30.363 I'll echo my NSDM seminar mate, Mike Ray, 25:30.363 --> 25:33.113 who said at the March graduation, 25:34.698 --> 25:38.010 if you ever come up with a JPME phase three, 25:38.010 --> 25:41.040 give me a call, 'cause I'd like to come back. 25:41.040 --> 25:41.873 It was great. 25:41.873 --> 25:42.871 So again, just to sum up, 25:42.871 --> 25:45.441 I'm thankful for the opportunity, 25:45.441 --> 25:48.225 it was a great experience for us, for me, 25:48.225 --> 25:50.576 I know it was for the rest of my classmates too. 25:50.576 --> 25:52.042 I look forward to applying the lessons that 25:52.042 --> 25:54.625 I've learned here in the fleet, 25:54.657 --> 25:56.307 and leading my sailors in the future, 25:56.307 --> 25:58.252 'cause of course that's where the goodness comes in, 25:58.252 --> 25:59.938 is taking everything we've gotten here, 25:59.938 --> 26:03.248 putting it into practice, and giving it to other folks 26:03.248 --> 26:06.742 who don't get the opportunity to come here like we do. 26:06.742 --> 26:08.385 So, in accordance with the motto, 26:08.385 --> 26:09.964 time to go take this knowledge of sea power 26:09.964 --> 26:11.517 and turn it into victory. 26:11.517 --> 26:12.350 Thank you. 26:12.455 --> 26:15.622 (audience applauding) 26:20.962 --> 26:22.756 - Well good afternoon. 26:22.756 --> 26:25.322 Admiral, selected members of the faculty, 26:25.322 --> 26:28.208 fellow graduates, and family and friends, 26:28.208 --> 26:30.513 it's a real honor to be here speaking to you today. 26:30.513 --> 26:34.346 What I'd like to do is just take a few minutes 26:34.732 --> 26:37.421 to discuss some of the takeaways that I have 26:37.421 --> 26:39.215 from my college experience. 26:39.215 --> 26:41.343 And as well to give thanks for all the people who have 26:41.343 --> 26:44.984 made this very memorable, as well as rewarding. 26:44.984 --> 26:49.029 So growing up I was mostly interested in the sciences 26:49.029 --> 26:52.251 and solving math problems, and not too keen on 26:52.251 --> 26:56.418 doing all the readings and writing papers and whatnot. 26:56.538 --> 26:58.305 And I think it was the certainty of knowing that 26:58.305 --> 27:00.934 there was always a correct answer when doin' those 27:00.934 --> 27:03.158 math and science problems that kinda made that 27:03.158 --> 27:05.007 more appealing to me back then. 27:05.007 --> 27:07.744 And needless to say, I was quickly forced outside 27:07.744 --> 27:11.543 my comfort zone once I got here to the War College. 27:11.543 --> 27:14.869 But, as this chapter in my career comes to a close, 27:14.869 --> 27:17.279 I can tell you that it's been the most enlightening 27:17.279 --> 27:19.415 educational experience that I've had. 27:19.415 --> 27:21.481 And I'd like to expand on that with just three 27:21.481 --> 27:22.981 very quick points, 27:23.070 --> 27:25.041 each of which characterized by a paradigm shift 27:25.041 --> 27:27.351 that I experienced along the way. 27:27.351 --> 27:30.174 The first shift was kinda the tactical to 27:30.174 --> 27:32.341 operational and strategic. 27:33.371 --> 27:35.258 Goin' through the curriculum I've realized that the 27:35.258 --> 27:38.494 Department of Defense enterprise is one, 27:38.494 --> 27:40.371 a complicated organism, but as well, 27:40.371 --> 27:42.878 its mission is even more complex. 27:42.878 --> 27:46.378 Spending my short time in the Navy to date 27:46.958 --> 27:49.410 dealing mostly at the tactical level 27:49.410 --> 27:51.716 it was extremely enlightening to explore 27:51.716 --> 27:54.038 the operational, strategic, and political aspects 27:54.038 --> 27:55.955 of military operations. 27:55.969 --> 27:58.003 Just looking back at some of the experiences we've had 27:58.003 --> 27:59.758 from the guest speakers, 27:59.758 --> 28:02.814 we've had multiple geographic combatant commanders, 28:02.814 --> 28:06.344 we've had the sec def, we've even had a Chief Justice 28:06.344 --> 28:09.272 come through here and just kind of understanding how the 28:09.272 --> 28:10.855 whole DoD enterprise works together 28:10.855 --> 28:13.182 has been truly enlightening. 28:13.182 --> 28:15.727 And I've been thoroughly conditioned to recognize 28:15.727 --> 28:18.700 how the bigger picture influences military operations 28:18.700 --> 28:20.533 at the tactical level. 28:20.778 --> 28:22.947 Second, the paradigm shift that I had was 28:22.947 --> 28:24.963 kind of formulas to framework, 28:24.963 --> 28:27.926 so kinda goin' off this idea of those math and science 28:27.926 --> 28:30.313 equations, you could always get the right answer. 28:30.313 --> 28:34.063 But here at the War College, you're forced to 28:34.681 --> 28:37.224 first learn frameworks and then apply them to 28:37.224 --> 28:39.057 very complex problems. 28:40.884 --> 28:42.366 There's not always a right answer, 28:42.366 --> 28:44.658 there's usually not a correct answer, 28:44.658 --> 28:46.908 and there may be no answer. 28:47.430 --> 28:49.866 But I've come to realize the value of diversity of opinions 28:49.866 --> 28:53.084 and perspectives that were brought to bear by 28:53.084 --> 28:55.250 not only my classmates in the Navy, 28:55.250 --> 28:57.917 but as well, the sister services, 28:57.917 --> 29:00.968 as well as our international students. 29:00.968 --> 29:02.768 The last paradigm shift, and I think the most important, 29:02.768 --> 29:06.257 was that of making the shift from training, 29:06.257 --> 29:10.424 at the tactical level, to education here at the War College. 29:11.331 --> 29:12.420 It's all too easy these days to get 29:12.420 --> 29:14.503 distracted by technology, 29:14.514 --> 29:17.690 where relative military strength is measured by 29:17.690 --> 29:19.918 how stealthy your fighters are, 29:19.918 --> 29:22.333 or how many nukes you can launch from a submarine, 29:22.333 --> 29:24.608 or how far your missiles can fly. 29:24.608 --> 29:28.222 All these things aside, the strongest military is the one 29:28.222 --> 29:30.639 that can out-think its enemy. 29:30.958 --> 29:32.669 So with those kind a lessons learned, 29:32.669 --> 29:35.038 I'd like to turn to giving thanks. 29:35.038 --> 29:36.871 First, to the faculty. 29:37.026 --> 29:40.135 I wanna thank you for demanding us all to think critically, 29:40.135 --> 29:42.754 for forcing us to challenge assumptions, 29:42.754 --> 29:46.330 for stimulating meaningful debate and discussion. 29:46.330 --> 29:49.379 And I just have to say that I've enjoyed learning from you, 29:49.379 --> 29:51.227 from your experiences as well as your leadership, 29:51.227 --> 29:52.310 so thank you. 29:52.721 --> 29:56.206 To my fellow graduates of the intermediate and senior class, 29:56.206 --> 29:59.506 I think I've had the opportunity to work with both of you, 29:59.506 --> 30:02.013 or some of you from each class. 30:02.013 --> 30:04.359 Your experiences from the other communities, 30:04.359 --> 30:06.787 not just the submarine community, 30:06.787 --> 30:09.647 within the Navy, as well as from sister services, 30:09.647 --> 30:13.814 and across the DoD enterprises has broadened my horizons 30:13.844 --> 30:17.677 and kinda what I understand not just the Navy, 30:17.821 --> 30:20.738 but the military and the DoD to be. 30:21.336 --> 30:23.334 I've enjoyed debating with you in class 30:23.334 --> 30:25.084 through our seminars. 30:25.304 --> 30:27.437 Some of them got kinda ugly pretty quick, 30:27.437 --> 30:30.604 but I think they were all very useful. 30:31.438 --> 30:33.500 I wanna take this time to also recognize 30:33.500 --> 30:35.476 our international students. 30:35.476 --> 30:37.798 They're not graduating with us today because 30:37.798 --> 30:39.631 they graduate in June, 30:40.790 --> 30:44.415 but I cannot stress enough how valuable it is 30:44.415 --> 30:48.289 to have those international students in the class with us. 30:48.289 --> 30:51.128 I can think back to my early days at the Naval War College, 30:51.128 --> 30:55.295 and strategy and war and having the Kuwaiti officer 30:55.638 --> 30:58.550 recounting the experiences that he had, 30:58.550 --> 31:01.806 not just with him, but with his mother and father, 31:01.806 --> 31:05.324 as the events were unfolding with the Iraqi invasion 31:05.324 --> 31:07.513 of Kuwait back in the early 90's. 31:07.513 --> 31:09.752 And you're just not gonna get that from 31:09.752 --> 31:12.270 reading old news clips and books. 31:12.270 --> 31:13.446 So that was extremely valuable, 31:13.446 --> 31:15.225 and I'm very fortunate to have the experience 31:15.225 --> 31:18.265 to interact with our international students. 31:18.265 --> 31:20.395 As well, I also had the distinct privilege of 31:20.395 --> 31:24.562 participating in the Halsey Alpha advanced research program 31:24.929 --> 31:27.512 and I'd say I probably learned, 31:27.974 --> 31:31.891 or I'd say it's the most dense type of learning 31:32.873 --> 31:34.814 that I had here at the War College. 31:34.814 --> 31:38.981 Workin' with guys like W and Ricky there in the audience, 31:39.108 --> 31:42.060 I was able to bring kind of my submarine experience to bear 31:42.060 --> 31:44.046 in conducting these war games, 31:44.046 --> 31:47.456 but I had no idea what happened with the air picture, 31:47.456 --> 31:51.039 with the air force guys, and the army guys, 31:51.241 --> 31:53.149 and you guys really all brought that together 31:53.149 --> 31:54.596 and helped me understand what it means to 31:54.596 --> 31:58.763 fight jointly in a maritime campaign, so thank you. 31:59.444 --> 32:03.083 And finally, to the families, even though no one deploys, 32:03.083 --> 32:04.332 or is sent to the front lines 32:04.332 --> 32:06.590 while we're here at the War College, 32:06.590 --> 32:09.963 we still fulfill the military obligation to serve. 32:09.963 --> 32:13.713 Through education today, we are better served 32:14.979 --> 32:17.217 to serve our country tomorrow. 32:17.217 --> 32:19.213 I'd like to give a special thanks to my mom and dad, 32:19.213 --> 32:22.270 Tracy and Doug, as well as my wife and son, 32:22.270 --> 32:24.564 Illene and Riley in the back. 32:24.564 --> 32:26.443 I certainly would not be here today 32:26.443 --> 32:28.813 without your love and support. 32:28.813 --> 32:31.167 So I look forward to taking my new, honed skills 32:31.167 --> 32:33.819 back to the fleet, and I hope to see you all there. 32:33.819 --> 32:34.652 Thank you. 32:35.224 --> 32:38.391 (audience applauding) 32:50.831 --> 32:52.444 - Master of Arts Degree in National Security 32:52.444 --> 32:56.289 and Strategic Studies, or Defense and Strategic Studies, 32:56.289 --> 32:59.872 as appropriate, will now be conferred to the graduates. 32:59.872 --> 33:04.039 Will the graduates please rise and remain in place. 33:05.344 --> 33:09.206 Rear Admiral Harley, please approach the podium, sir. 33:09.206 --> 33:12.955 Admiral I have the honor to present the November graduates 33:12.955 --> 33:15.640 of the Naval War College, candidates for the Master of Arts 33:15.640 --> 33:18.113 in National Security and Strategic Studies, 33:18.113 --> 33:20.946 and Defense and Strategic Studies. 33:21.913 --> 33:23.651 They have been thoroughly examined, 33:23.651 --> 33:25.984 and approved by the faculty. 33:27.702 --> 33:30.695 - By the power invested in me by the almighty God, 33:30.695 --> 33:32.669 the secretary of the Navy, the accreditation of the 33:32.669 --> 33:35.793 New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 33:35.793 --> 33:38.493 and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, 33:38.493 --> 33:42.526 I confer upon you all appropriate degrees and diplomas. 33:42.526 --> 33:45.273 Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in saluting, 33:45.273 --> 33:48.666 through your applause, the November 2016 graduates 33:48.666 --> 33:51.426 of the United State Naval War College. 33:51.426 --> 33:54.593 (audience applauding) 34:08.327 --> 34:09.513 - Thank you Admiral. 34:09.513 --> 34:11.846 Graduates, please be seated. 34:13.264 --> 34:15.238 Beyond the requirements for graduation, 34:15.238 --> 34:17.228 certain individuals have distinguished themselves 34:17.228 --> 34:19.479 through academic excellence. 34:19.479 --> 34:21.095 For those in the top 5%, 34:21.095 --> 34:24.426 they are receiving a diploma with the highest distinction. 34:24.426 --> 34:26.732 Those in the next 15% will receive a diploma 34:26.732 --> 34:28.232 with distinctions. 34:28.707 --> 34:31.685 Graduates will now receive their diplomas. 34:31.685 --> 34:34.891 Graduates, please proceed to the stage as your name is read. 34:34.891 --> 34:37.472 Guests are welcome to come forward to take photographs. 34:37.472 --> 34:38.495 Please try to hold your applause 34:38.495 --> 34:40.968 until all names have been read. 34:40.968 --> 34:43.833 Rear Admiral Harley, Doctor Hickey, and Dean Haun, 34:43.833 --> 34:44.833 please rise. 34:50.798 --> 34:52.362 Presenting the graduating members of the 34:52.362 --> 34:56.447 College of Naval Warfare, and their next duty assignment. 34:56.447 --> 34:59.045 Commander Andrew V. Burn, United States Navy, 34:59.045 --> 35:03.212 Joint Planning and Support Element, Norfolk, Virginia. 35:06.030 --> 35:08.507 Commander Marcus A. Devine, United States Navy, 35:08.507 --> 35:11.485 with high distinction, Naval Consolidated Brig, 35:11.485 --> 35:13.235 Chesapeake, Virginia. 35:15.324 --> 35:18.219 Commander Mary Catherine Devine, United States Navy, 35:18.219 --> 35:21.719 USS Bainbridge, DDG-96, Norfolk, Virginia. 35:24.946 --> 35:28.040 Lieutenant Commander Kevin S. McNulty, Supply Corps, 35:28.040 --> 35:30.373 U.S. Navy, with distinction, 35:30.863 --> 35:34.863 U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida. 35:36.171 --> 35:39.386 Captain John P. Moon, Dental Corps, U.S. Navy, 35:39.386 --> 35:41.303 BUMED, Washington, D.C. 35:45.003 --> 35:47.285 Lieutenant Colonel Anthony E. New, U.S. Army, 35:47.285 --> 35:51.452 U.S. Naval War College Joint Military Operations Department. 35:54.415 --> 35:57.280 Lieutenant Commander Matthew J. Nieswand, U.S. Navy, 35:57.280 --> 36:01.447 Strike Fighter Squadron 106, Virginia Beach, Virginia. 36:05.237 --> 36:09.222 Commander Jeffrey M. Palmer, U.S. Navy, with distinction, 36:09.222 --> 36:13.023 Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, 36:13.023 --> 36:14.273 Washigton, D.C. 36:17.409 --> 36:20.397 Lieutenant Commander Kevin L. Shackleford, U.S. Navy, 36:20.397 --> 36:24.243 Naval Air Warfare Center, training systems division, 36:24.243 --> 36:25.660 Orlando, Florida. 36:28.884 --> 36:31.813 Lieutenant Commander Joseph Spinks, U.S. Navy, 36:31.813 --> 36:35.146 U.S. Strategic Command, Omaha, Nebraska. 36:39.382 --> 36:41.593 Commander Samuel E. Young, U.S. Navy, 36:41.593 --> 36:45.260 Carrier Strike Group TWO, Norfolk, Virginia. 36:57.615 --> 36:58.964 Presenting the graduating members of the 36:58.964 --> 37:00.903 College of Naval Command and Staff, 37:00.903 --> 37:03.486 and their next duty assignment. 37:09.663 --> 37:12.708 Major Anthony J. Allen, U.S. Army, with distinction, 37:12.708 --> 37:16.875 18th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 37:20.089 --> 37:23.682 Lieutenant Commander Lucas Rockford Argobright, U.S. Navy, 37:23.682 --> 37:27.432 U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. 37:30.261 --> 37:33.135 Lieutenant Commander Willard E. Ball, U.S. Navy, 37:33.135 --> 37:36.552 D&I BUPER Support, Millington, Tennessee. 37:39.439 --> 37:42.406 Lieutenant Commander Samuel Betancourt, U.S. Navy, 37:42.406 --> 37:46.573 Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, Casteau, Belgium. 37:49.577 --> 37:52.097 Lieutenant Commander Timothy Bierbach, U.S. Navy, 37:52.097 --> 37:54.514 VP-30, Jacksonville, Florida. 37:59.761 --> 38:03.012 Lieutenant Commander Larry Jeff Blankenship, U.S. Navy, 38:03.012 --> 38:06.845 U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. 38:09.234 --> 38:12.057 Lieutenant Commander Michael Patrick Boettcher, Junior, 38:12.057 --> 38:14.390 U.S. Navy, with distinction, 38:14.963 --> 38:19.130 Naval Operations Support Center, Avoca, Pennsylvania. 38:20.594 --> 38:23.159 Lieutenant Commander Joseph E. Cantu, Junior, U.S. Navy, 38:23.159 --> 38:26.659 U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. 38:27.887 --> 38:30.105 Lieutenant Commander Lloyd L. Core, U.S. Navy, 38:30.105 --> 38:32.266 Center for Security Forces Learning Site, 38:32.266 --> 38:34.099 Gulfport, Mississippi. 38:36.438 --> 38:39.602 Lieutenant David Joseph Dartez, U.S. Navy, 38:39.602 --> 38:41.935 VFA-25, Lemoore, California. 38:45.965 --> 38:48.859 Lieutenant Commander Patrick Calvio Drane, U.S. Navy, 38:48.859 --> 38:50.940 United States Military Training Mission, 38:50.940 --> 38:52.690 Jubail, Saudi Arabia. 38:56.193 --> 38:58.620 Lieutenant Commander W. Todd Emmons, U.S. Navy, 38:58.620 --> 39:01.037 HSM-48, NAS Mayport, Florida. 39:06.201 --> 39:09.441 Lieutenant Commander Matthew L. Enus, U.S. Navy, 39:09.441 --> 39:12.027 with high distinction, Joint Staff, Hampton Roads, 39:12.027 --> 39:13.944 J-7, Norfolk, Virginia. 39:16.859 --> 39:19.342 Lieutenant Commander Christopher Douglas Glandon, U.S. Navy, 39:19.342 --> 39:21.906 with distinction, U.S. Strategic Command, 39:21.906 --> 39:23.239 Omaha, Nebraska. 39:26.166 --> 39:28.186 Lieutenant Commander Brendan T. Gray, U.S. Navy, 39:28.186 --> 39:32.353 with distinction, NATO Joint Electronic War Corps Staff, 39:32.669 --> 39:34.876 Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, 39:34.876 --> 39:36.959 Somerset, United Kingdom. 39:38.479 --> 39:41.524 Lieutenant Commander Brian M. Haney, U.S. Navy, 39:41.524 --> 39:44.857 VAQ-129, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington. 39:48.736 --> 39:50.959 Commander Robert Hanvey, U.S. Navy, 39:50.959 --> 39:54.959 Naval Reserve Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. 39:57.027 --> 39:59.245 Lieutenant Commander Chad H. Harvey, U.S. Navy, 39:59.245 --> 40:01.972 with high distinction, U.S. Strategic Command 40:01.972 --> 40:04.567 Joint Functional Component Command for Space, 40:04.567 --> 40:07.734 Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. 40:08.547 --> 40:10.444 Lieutenant Commander Brian Haas, U.S. Navy, 40:10.444 --> 40:12.721 with distinction, U.S. Northern Command, 40:12.721 --> 40:14.971 Colorado Springs, Colorado. 40:17.080 --> 40:19.350 Major Devin M. Henry, U.S. Army, 40:19.350 --> 40:23.433 Brigade Modernization Command, Fort Bliss, Texas. 40:27.348 --> 40:29.963 Lieutenant Commander Dirk Hendricks Heron, U.S. Navy, 40:29.963 --> 40:34.130 with distinction, VFA-101, Eglin Airforce Base, Florida. 40:38.094 --> 40:40.691 Lieutenant Commander Shaun M. Jarvis, U.S. Navy, 40:40.691 --> 40:44.858 U.S. European Command, Headquarters, Stuttgart, Germany. 40:47.716 --> 40:50.619 Lieutenant Jason David Junkert, U.S. Navy, 40:50.619 --> 40:54.786 Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobil Unit 8, Rota, Spain. 40:56.534 --> 41:00.451 Lieutenant Commander Lucian D. Kins, U.S. Navy, 41:00.546 --> 41:04.046 Carrier Strike Group 8, Norfolk, Virginia. 41:06.660 --> 41:09.702 Lieutenant Commander Daniel Derrick Kuitu, U.S. Navy, 41:09.702 --> 41:13.785 Joint Force Command North, Brunssum, Netherlands. 41:16.477 --> 41:19.623 Major Morgan H. Laird, U.S. Army, Hurlburt Field, 41:19.623 --> 41:20.873 Eglin, Florida. 41:23.846 --> 41:27.159 Lieutenant Commander Carlo D. Levaro, U.S. Navy, 41:27.159 --> 41:29.659 HSM-35, San Diego, California. 41:33.836 --> 41:37.292 Lieutenant Commander James Matthew Malvasio, U.S. Navy, 41:37.292 --> 41:41.292 U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida. 41:42.693 --> 41:45.348 Lieutenant Commander Hector Marin, U.S. Navy, 41:45.348 --> 41:47.181 USS Pasadena, SSN-752, 41:48.492 --> 41:51.325 Point Loma, San Diego, California. 41:52.799 --> 41:55.047 Lieutenant Commander Caleb C. Moore, U.S. Navy, 41:55.047 --> 41:58.547 Patrol Squadron 30, Jacksonville, Florida. 41:59.960 --> 42:01.953 Lieutenant Commander Larry J. Parker, U.S. Navy, 42:01.953 --> 42:05.453 U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. 42:06.884 --> 42:09.330 Major Samuel McGowan Price, III, U.S. Army, 42:09.330 --> 42:13.080 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. 42:14.737 --> 42:16.566 Lieutenant Commander Steve Reese, U.S. Navy, 42:16.566 --> 42:20.566 U.S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, Florida. 42:22.096 --> 42:24.697 Lieutenant Commander Eric K. Rolfs, U.S. Navy, 42:24.697 --> 42:28.864 Service Warfare Officer's School, Newport, Rhode Island. 42:29.372 --> 42:31.049 Lieutenant Commander Craig Salvason, U.S. Navy, 42:31.049 --> 42:33.966 NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany. 42:38.584 --> 42:41.595 Lieutenant Commander Catherine Brady Sears, U.S. Navy, 42:41.595 --> 42:44.883 with distinction, U.S. Special Operations Command, 42:44.883 --> 42:46.133 Tampa, Florida. 42:50.070 --> 42:52.728 Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Edward Sartorius, U.S. Navy, 42:52.728 --> 42:56.728 Officer Training Command, Newport, Rhode Island. 42:58.285 --> 43:01.205 Lieutenant Benjamin D. Thornton, Supply Corps, U.S. Navy, 43:01.205 --> 43:05.372 Naval Leadership and Ethics Center, Newport, Rhode Island. 43:08.225 --> 43:10.686 Lieutenant Commander David A. Turpin, U.S. Navy, 43:10.686 --> 43:14.353 Halsey Alpha Fellow, U.S. Naval War College, 43:14.729 --> 43:16.562 Newport, Rhode Island. 43:19.292 --> 43:21.032 Lieutenant Coleman A. Ward, U.S. Navy, 43:21.032 --> 43:24.865 with high distinction, Naval Submarine School, 43:25.398 --> 43:27.398 New London, Connecticut. 43:29.684 --> 43:31.781 Major Anthony Michael Wertz, U.S. Army, 43:31.781 --> 43:34.409 4th Military Information Support Group, 43:34.409 --> 43:36.909 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 43:40.456 --> 43:44.041 Lieutenant Commander Andrew R. Wehazit, U.S. Navy, 43:44.041 --> 43:46.333 Joint Information Operations Warfare Center, 43:46.333 --> 43:49.500 MacDill Airforce Base, Tampa, Florida. 43:52.008 --> 43:53.790 Major Anthony Williams, U.S. Army, 43:53.790 --> 43:57.957 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 44:04.289 --> 44:05.842 Unfortunately, the following students could not attend 44:05.842 --> 44:09.010 today's ceremony, Commander Michael E. Kinney, U.S. Navy, 44:09.010 --> 44:13.177 Lieutenant Commander David J. Schlesinger, U.S. Navy. 44:14.891 --> 44:16.695 Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in a round of applause 44:16.695 --> 44:19.027 for our graduates, honorees, and their families. 44:19.027 --> 44:22.194 (audience applauding) 44:33.551 --> 44:36.262 At this time, Commander Todd will deliver the benediction. 44:36.262 --> 44:39.095 Ladies and gentlemen, please rise. 44:44.839 --> 44:46.006 - Let us pray. 44:47.940 --> 44:50.763 Eternal God as you have graced us with your presence, 44:50.763 --> 44:53.872 so send us out with your approbation and peace. 44:53.872 --> 44:56.897 As these leaders return to staff positions in the 44:56.897 --> 44:59.798 operational arena, grant them wisdom in applying 44:59.798 --> 45:01.648 the knowledge and skills they have mastered 45:01.648 --> 45:03.696 through the course of instruction. 45:03.696 --> 45:06.131 Give them the spirit of a scholar warrior, 45:06.131 --> 45:09.401 ever-seeking a deeper understanding of the forces at play, 45:09.401 --> 45:10.948 in the field of battle, 45:10.948 --> 45:13.489 a greater appreciation of the operational arena, 45:13.489 --> 45:15.542 and a more precise way forward in the hour of 45:15.542 --> 45:17.375 complexity and crisis. 45:17.835 --> 45:21.002 Enable them to maintain a steadfastness of purpose, 45:21.002 --> 45:24.336 fidelity to their nation, and self-sacrificial dedication 45:24.336 --> 45:27.512 to the high principles of honor, courage, and commitment, 45:27.512 --> 45:30.638 in defense of justice, freedom, and liberty for all. 45:30.638 --> 45:33.649 Grant that we may all remain resolute and faithful, 45:33.649 --> 45:36.301 in our particular places of responsibility, 45:36.301 --> 45:39.411 demonstrating by our every thought, word, and deed, 45:39.411 --> 45:41.688 the honor, courage, and commitment 45:41.688 --> 45:43.693 to which we have been called. 45:43.693 --> 45:44.526 Amen. 45:55.306 --> 45:56.808 - Please remain standing for the departure of the 45:56.808 --> 45:58.058 official party. 46:02.032 --> 46:06.199 (orchestra playing "Officer of the Day") 46:36.897 --> 46:39.073 This concludes our graduation ceremony, 46:39.073 --> 46:42.191 thank you for joining us this afternoon. 46:42.191 --> 46:45.441 (audience applauding)