WEBVTT 02:37.610 --> 02:40.460 Co . Look 02:54.039 --> 02:56.990 Commanders . Just your unit . 03:01.190 --> 03:02.190 all 03:05.419 --> 03:08.839 Front right center 5 press center press . 03:13.839 --> 03:17.270 I Uh 03:19.350 --> 03:22.250 Ready ? Oh , press 03:22.250 --> 03:23.389 press . 03:27.539 --> 03:28.539 I 03:31.889 --> 03:33.350 Uh Ready ? 03:39.250 --> 03:40.250 I was 04:38.579 --> 04:39.579 Yeah . 04:48.500 --> 04:49.556 Good , put , put . 04:57.820 --> 05:00.670 Good Good . 05:02.670 --> 05:06.570 Officers , just and just . 05:13.160 --> 05:15.799 Come , ready . 05:16.769 --> 05:19.809 Ostrich Raro . 05:23.220 --> 05:23.589 Yeah 05:29.230 --> 05:30.230 Po . 05:36.470 --> 05:38.320 Step fairly at is . 05:44.029 --> 05:45.029 Instrument 07:39.459 --> 07:42.619 And by . OK 07:44.250 --> 07:47.809 Right . Honor 07:48.649 --> 07:50.579 God . Hey 07:56.079 --> 07:57.079 on 08:00.989 --> 08:01.279 No . 08:10.929 --> 08:11.929 at . 08:14.779 --> 08:15.779 Person . 08:22.160 --> 08:23.059 Instruments 10:51.530 --> 10:54.000 S OK 10:59.570 --> 11:02.989 Aren't Hey 11:07.159 --> 11:07.500 you 11:12.820 --> 11:13.820 But 11:21.099 --> 11:24.679 Sta ceremonial at each . 11:27.890 --> 11:29.429 from and 12:41.840 --> 12:42.840 I 14:45.809 --> 14:47.539 And Step 14:54.890 --> 14:55.650 Oh God . 15:00.900 --> 15:04.570 Hello . It Oh 15:12.729 --> 15:13.729 Oh . 15:20.409 --> 15:22.890 Distinguished guests , please stand for 15:22.890 --> 15:25.130 the arrival of the official party and 15:25.130 --> 15:27.320 remain standing as honors are rendered 15:27.570 --> 15:30.289 and for the invocation given by Chief 15:30.289 --> 15:32.739 of Chaplains Major General William 15:32.739 --> 15:36.049 Green Junior . Taking their positions 15:36.049 --> 15:38.320 on the reviewing stand is the reviewing 15:38.320 --> 15:40.409 official for today's ceremony , the 15:40.409 --> 15:42.770 Honorable Lloyd J . Austin the Third , 15:43.289 --> 15:45.760 the 28th Secretary of Defense . 15:47.109 --> 15:49.530 Accompanied by the host , General 15:49.530 --> 15:52.289 Charles Q . Brown Jr , the 21st 15:52.289 --> 15:54.530 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . 16:42.650 --> 16:43.710 Present 18:03.780 --> 18:06.949 Oh . Oh 18:10.069 --> 18:11.069 Yeah . 18:29.199 --> 18:30.859 The rare . 18:36.109 --> 18:38.390 Step plus 3 rest . 18:39.869 --> 18:42.140 Ladies and gentlemen , Chaplain Green . 18:49.160 --> 18:51.327 Ladies and gentlemen , please bow with 18:51.327 --> 18:53.920 me as I pray God's blessings upon this 18:53.920 --> 18:57.800 ceremony to farewell our 28th 18:57.800 --> 18:59.979 Secretary of Defense , the Honorable 18:59.979 --> 19:03.189 Lloyd J . Austin III . Let us pray . 19:03.839 --> 19:07.329 Almighty God . Our help in ages 19:07.329 --> 19:10.050 past and our enduring hope for the 19:10.050 --> 19:13.420 future . We come together today in 19:13.420 --> 19:16.459 humble thanksgiving to celebrate and 19:16.459 --> 19:19.449 acknowledge the faithful , dedicated , 19:19.459 --> 19:22.660 and honorable service and sacrifice of 19:22.660 --> 19:25.219 a soldier and a statesman for our 19:25.219 --> 19:28.310 nation . Father , you have guided our 19:28.310 --> 19:30.550 Secretary of Defense through decades of 19:30.550 --> 19:33.790 challenges and tests , sustaining and 19:33.790 --> 19:36.829 prospering him all along the way , 19:37.270 --> 19:40.050 ordering his steps to prepare him for 19:40.050 --> 19:43.180 every job he was called upon to do . 19:43.930 --> 19:46.250 We thank you heavenly Father for 19:46.250 --> 19:49.130 Secretary Austin's success in leading 19:49.130 --> 19:51.729 the Department of Defense and for the 19:51.729 --> 19:54.479 unwavering commitment and sacrifice 19:54.810 --> 19:57.560 this extraordinary leader has exhibited 19:57.560 --> 20:01.380 in devoting his life to our country in 20:01.380 --> 20:04.530 support and defense of the Constitution 20:04.530 --> 20:07.609 of the United States . Lord God , as 20:07.609 --> 20:09.920 Secretary Austin moves to the next 20:09.920 --> 20:13.300 chapter of your plan for him . May your 20:13.300 --> 20:16.380 goodness and mercy follow him all the 20:16.380 --> 20:20.099 days of his life as you bless him and 20:20.099 --> 20:23.609 his cherished family . And now , Lord , 20:23.859 --> 20:26.780 we commend our nation and our armed 20:26.780 --> 20:29.849 forces to your merciful care . And 20:29.849 --> 20:33.329 bless each one of us here today as we 20:33.329 --> 20:37.119 remain firmly committed and unyielding 20:37.430 --> 20:41.010 in support of the cherished freedoms we 20:41.010 --> 20:43.810 enjoy as Americans . In your most holy 20:43.810 --> 20:46.010 name , I pray , amen . 20:49.030 --> 20:50.239 Please be seated . 20:58.819 --> 20:59.819 Water . 21:12.400 --> 21:13.400 Mhm . 21:19.709 --> 21:20.709 Thank 21:43.939 --> 21:44.939 3 21:53.160 --> 21:55.540 The services representing America's 21:55.540 --> 21:57.979 armed forces and participating in 21:57.979 --> 22:00.969 today's review from left to right are 22:01.300 --> 22:03.619 the United States Army Old Guard Fife 22:03.619 --> 22:06.540 and Drum Corps , the United States Army 22:06.540 --> 22:08.849 Band . The presidential marching 22:08.849 --> 22:11.170 platoon from the Army's 3rd United 22:11.170 --> 22:13.209 States Infantry Regiment , the Old 22:13.209 --> 22:16.619 Guard . The United States Marine Honor 22:16.619 --> 22:19.020 Guard from Marine Barracks 8th and I , 22:19.180 --> 22:23.109 Washington DC . The colors have 22:23.109 --> 22:25.220 always been one of the most important 22:25.220 --> 22:27.530 elements of a military unit . At the 22:27.530 --> 22:29.589 center of our formation is an Armed 22:29.589 --> 22:31.869 Forces color guard bearing the national 22:31.869 --> 22:34.189 colors and the service flags of the 22:34.189 --> 22:37.349 Army , Marine Corps , Navy , Air Force , 22:37.689 --> 22:39.900 Space Force , and Coast Guard . 22:41.280 --> 22:43.502 Following is an element from the United 22:43.502 --> 22:45.760 States Navy Honor Guard from Navy Yard 22:45.760 --> 22:48.869 Washington DC . The next element online 22:48.869 --> 22:50.758 is comprised of a flight from the 22:50.758 --> 22:52.758 United States Air Force Honor Guard 22:52.758 --> 22:55.310 from Joint Base Anacostia Bowling , and 22:55.310 --> 22:57.310 finally is an element of the United 22:57.310 --> 22:59.310 States Coast Guard Honor Guard from 22:59.310 --> 23:01.270 Coast Guard Station Alexandria . 23:51.000 --> 23:52.219 In review . 25:51.119 --> 25:52.619 Post step , step , right ? 25:55.969 --> 25:56.969 Thanks . 26:01.329 --> 26:03.551 Distinguished guests , please stand for 26:03.551 --> 26:05.729 the advancing of the colors and remain 26:05.729 --> 26:07.507 standing for the playing of the 26:07.507 --> 26:08.507 national anthem . 26:11.390 --> 26:12.390 Color 26:57.300 --> 26:59.030 Sir , colors are presented . 27:11.410 --> 27:14.569 Please . Oh 27:15.930 --> 27:16.930 Yeah . 27:20.239 --> 27:22.479 Detachment . Present . 28:39.800 --> 28:42.589 Please be seated . Oh 28:43.489 --> 28:44.060 Oh , 28:49.859 --> 28:50.339 Oh 29:02.949 --> 29:05.380 That ceremony at each . 29:18.750 --> 29:19.750 Yeah . 29:48.489 --> 29:50.660 The Distinguished Public Service Medal 29:50.660 --> 29:53.589 is presented to Lloyd J . Austin III . 29:54.729 --> 29:56.880 Secretary Lloyd J . Austin III 29:57.170 --> 29:59.226 distinguished himself by exceptional 29:59.226 --> 30:01.226 public service to the Department of 30:01.226 --> 30:03.392 Defense while serving as the Secretary 30:03.392 --> 30:06.650 of Defense from January 2021 through 30:06.650 --> 30:10.640 January 2025 . Secretary Austin's 30:10.640 --> 30:13.069 exceptional strategic leadership and 30:13.069 --> 30:15.310 steadfast stewardship strengthened the 30:15.310 --> 30:17.219 joint force during a period of 30:17.219 --> 30:19.589 unprecedented challenges in the global 30:19.589 --> 30:21.689 security environment and major 30:21.689 --> 30:23.969 transitions of United States military 30:23.969 --> 30:27.390 modernization and personnel programs to 30:27.390 --> 30:29.223 address future national security 30:29.223 --> 30:32.369 challenges . Throughout his tenure , 30:32.660 --> 30:34.790 Secretary Austin reinforced a 30:34.790 --> 30:36.901 principled , sustainable role for the 30:36.901 --> 30:39.219 military instrument of power in the 30:39.219 --> 30:41.330 security of the United States and its 30:41.330 --> 30:43.739 allies and partners while strengthening 30:43.739 --> 30:46.300 a ready , adaptable joint force for 30:46.300 --> 30:48.356 countering emerging . Trans-regional 30:48.356 --> 30:51.140 threats across the globe . Secretary 30:51.140 --> 30:53.280 Austin led global responses to 30:53.280 --> 30:55.939 authoritarianism , violence , and 30:55.939 --> 30:58.900 instability uniting and guiding 30:58.900 --> 31:00.859 coalitions of nations committed to 31:00.859 --> 31:03.489 democracy and international law . 31:04.239 --> 31:06.199 Secretary Austin's unwavering 31:06.199 --> 31:08.920 commitment to the men and women of the 31:08.920 --> 31:11.280 armed forces and their family members 31:11.280 --> 31:14.079 enhanced the all volunteer force and 31:14.079 --> 31:16.359 reinvigorated a collective national 31:16.359 --> 31:18.640 commitment to our nation's veterans . 31:19.500 --> 31:21.000 The singularly distinctive 31:21.000 --> 31:23.280 accomplishments of Secretary Austin are 31:23.280 --> 31:25.391 in keeping with the finest traditions 31:25.391 --> 31:27.719 of public service and reflect great 31:27.719 --> 31:30.550 credit upon himself , the joint staff , 31:30.839 --> 31:32.959 the Department of Defense , and the 31:32.959 --> 31:34.459 United States of America . 32:57.670 --> 32:59.837 The Distinguished Public Service Medal 32:59.837 --> 33:02.180 is presented to Mrs . Charlene D . 33:02.300 --> 33:02.859 Austin . 33:33.619 --> 33:35.859 Mrs . Charlene D . Austin distinguished 33:35.859 --> 33:38.260 herself by exceptional public service 33:38.260 --> 33:40.204 to the Department of Defense while 33:40.204 --> 33:42.579 serving in support of the men and women 33:42.579 --> 33:44.819 of the United States military as the 33:44.819 --> 33:47.380 spouse of the Secretary of Defense from 33:47.380 --> 33:50.410 January 2021 through January 33:50.410 --> 33:54.319 2025 . Following 40 years of service 33:54.319 --> 33:57.000 as a military spouse , Mrs . Austin 33:57.000 --> 33:59.000 continued her work with community , 33:59.280 --> 34:01.589 military , and professional 34:01.589 --> 34:03.839 organizations that directly benefited 34:03.839 --> 34:06.109 military members and their families . 34:06.810 --> 34:08.879 Serving as an ambassador around the 34:08.879 --> 34:11.229 world , she continually supported , 34:11.399 --> 34:13.879 sponsored , and attended events that 34:13.879 --> 34:15.990 highlighted the importance of service 34:15.990 --> 34:18.000 to the country and strength of the 34:18.000 --> 34:21.020 family . Mrs . Austin's specific 34:21.020 --> 34:23.219 efforts on the advisory boards for the 34:23.219 --> 34:26.060 Purdue Military Family Institute and 34:26.060 --> 34:28.570 the Military Child Education Coalition . 34:29.010 --> 34:30.899 In conjunction with her role as a 34:30.899 --> 34:33.010 senior spouse facilitator for the 34:33.010 --> 34:35.570 National Defense University , forged a 34:35.570 --> 34:38.010 legacy of strategic leadership and 34:38.010 --> 34:40.649 steadfast stewardship that strengthened 34:40.649 --> 34:43.010 the armed forces during a period of 34:43.010 --> 34:45.290 unprecedented change in the global 34:45.290 --> 34:47.370 security environment and major 34:47.370 --> 34:49.489 transitions of United States military 34:49.489 --> 34:52.760 modernization and personnel programs to 34:52.760 --> 34:54.850 address future national security 34:54.850 --> 34:57.580 challenges . The singularly distinctive 34:57.580 --> 35:00.340 accomplishments of Mrs . Austin are in 35:00.340 --> 35:02.451 keeping with the finest traditions of 35:02.451 --> 35:04.780 public service and reflect great credit 35:04.780 --> 35:07.659 upon herself , the joint staff , the 35:07.659 --> 35:09.899 Department of Defense , and the United 35:09.899 --> 35:11.010 States of America . 35:18.030 --> 35:20.199 Yeah . Yeah . 35:24.129 --> 35:25.129 Yeah . 36:41.340 --> 36:42.340 Yeah . 36:46.250 --> 36:47.250 Stand by . 36:50.139 --> 36:51.030 That tension . 36:59.790 --> 37:02.169 Our dog OK . 37:09.739 --> 37:12.139 Distinguished guests , please stand for 37:12.139 --> 37:13.739 the posting of the colors . 37:19.189 --> 37:21.500 The colors stack right . 37:23.110 --> 37:23.489 Hey 38:36.840 --> 38:37.896 Please be seated . 39:01.560 --> 39:02.560 Ah 39:13.570 --> 39:14.570 That is . 39:19.340 --> 39:21.780 Distinguished guests General Brown . 39:35.110 --> 39:37.989 Well , good morning . What another 39:37.989 --> 39:39.767 great day for our United States 39:39.767 --> 39:43.320 military . It was a well-known Greek 39:44.159 --> 39:47.350 proverb that states . Society grows 39:47.350 --> 39:50.419 great when leaders plant trees . Whose 39:50.419 --> 39:53.040 shade they know . They should never sit 39:53.040 --> 39:56.340 in . Secretary Austin and Charlene are 39:56.340 --> 39:59.020 both such leaders . Over 39:59.020 --> 40:02.879 4.5 decades have planted many trees for 40:02.879 --> 40:06.479 future generations . It's not our 40:06.479 --> 40:08.812 hostess ceremony . They both bid for we . 40:11.270 --> 40:13.159 To Secretary of Defense Lloyd J . 40:13.159 --> 40:15.437 Austin III . And Mrs . Shirling Austin . 40:16.620 --> 40:18.731 And say thank you for your decades of 40:18.731 --> 40:22.270 service . To our nation . I'd like to 40:22.270 --> 40:24.437 welcome everyone to today's ceremony . 40:25.270 --> 40:27.603 To our elected and government officials . 40:28.270 --> 40:30.103 Department of Defense leadership 40:30.659 --> 40:32.770 General flag officers , senior listed 40:32.770 --> 40:35.370 leaders . Diplomatic corps , defense 40:35.370 --> 40:38.030 attaches . Members of the defense 40:38.030 --> 40:40.850 industry . Welcome and thank you for 40:40.850 --> 40:43.459 being here . Whether you're here in 40:43.459 --> 40:46.399 person , Or watching online 40:47.639 --> 40:49.989 You honor this tremendous couple with 40:49.989 --> 40:52.590 your presence . I'd also like to 40:52.590 --> 40:56.179 recognize our Our joint forces honor 40:56.179 --> 40:59.270 guard , the band protocol team , and 40:59.270 --> 41:01.381 all those that work behind the scenes 41:01.381 --> 41:04.110 to pull off another great ceremony to 41:04.110 --> 41:06.520 say farewell . To a great leadership 41:06.520 --> 41:09.879 team Secretary Austin spent his life 41:09.879 --> 41:11.990 serving our nation , leading military 41:11.990 --> 41:15.870 teams for 45 years . 41 years 41:16.800 --> 41:19.909 In the army in 4 years as our 28th 41:19.909 --> 41:23.780 Secretary of Defense . I suspect on 41:23.780 --> 41:27.510 some days . The last 4 years felt much 41:27.510 --> 41:29.330 longer than the 1st 41 . 41:31.699 --> 41:33.866 As I like to say , every day is a good 41:33.866 --> 41:36.379 day . To some days are better than 41:36.379 --> 41:40.330 others . Secretary Austin almost didn't . 41:41.050 --> 41:43.040 Attend the US Military Academy . 41:44.800 --> 41:46.856 Inspired by his father's and uncle's 41:46.856 --> 41:49.022 service uniform , he knew he wanted to 41:49.022 --> 41:51.739 serve . But he had his heart set on 41:51.739 --> 41:55.659 going to Notre Dame . His father's 41:55.659 --> 41:59.199 heart In his wallet or set 41:59.550 --> 42:01.800 more on a more affordable West Point . 42:06.060 --> 42:08.929 His father's choice was our gain . And 42:08.929 --> 42:11.989 Notre Dame's loss . Every day since 42:11.989 --> 42:14.600 both in uniform and out . Secretary 42:14.600 --> 42:17.199 Austin employed the values instilled in 42:17.199 --> 42:21.070 him at West Point . Duty Honor 42:22.479 --> 42:25.469 country . He repeatedly answered the 42:25.469 --> 42:28.149 call of duty . And fulfilled his 42:28.149 --> 42:30.371 responsibilities to his fellow soldiers 42:30.790 --> 42:34.010 and joint teammates . It's guided by 42:34.010 --> 42:37.550 honor . Acted with character and always 42:37.550 --> 42:40.219 treated people with dignity and respect . 42:41.780 --> 42:44.002 And he placed Fidelity to his country . 42:45.709 --> 42:48.820 Our democracy In the Constitution above 42:48.820 --> 42:52.729 all else . His time at West Point was 42:52.729 --> 42:54.969 just the beginning what would become a 42:54.969 --> 42:58.290 lifetime of service . From his early 42:58.290 --> 43:00.512 days as a lieutenant Secretary Austin . 43:00.989 --> 43:03.211 was the leader of the highest caliber . 43:04.350 --> 43:06.889 He's a builder of teams . And he got 43:06.889 --> 43:08.945 the very best out of those under his 43:08.945 --> 43:12.199 command . Like so many , I have 43:12.199 --> 43:14.088 benefited from Secretary Austin's 43:14.088 --> 43:16.550 leadership and mentorship . Our paths 43:16.550 --> 43:18.717 crossed several times over the years . 43:19.000 --> 43:21.056 I served as his deputy air component 43:21.056 --> 43:24.239 commander at CENTCOM . He selected me 43:24.239 --> 43:26.350 to be his air component commander and 43:26.350 --> 43:28.461 pin on my 3rd star where I thought it 43:28.461 --> 43:30.850 reached the pinnacle of my career . And 43:30.850 --> 43:32.628 then he played a key role in my 43:32.628 --> 43:36.370 becoming the chairman . I appreciated 43:36.370 --> 43:38.729 his calm , collected leadership on more 43:38.729 --> 43:41.270 than one occasion . I can personally 43:41.270 --> 43:43.729 attest to his openness . He's willing 43:43.729 --> 43:47.090 to listen Take on advice and then share 43:47.090 --> 43:50.169 his perspective . I also had the honor 43:50.169 --> 43:52.719 of seeing him in his element . As a 43:52.719 --> 43:55.949 SENCO commander . A warrior through and 43:55.949 --> 43:59.080 through . And again , most recently , 43:59.330 --> 44:01.386 as we sat together in Ono Beach last 44:01.386 --> 44:04.449 year for the 80th anniversary of D-Day . 44:05.610 --> 44:07.721 He kind of lit up when there was a uh 44:07.721 --> 44:10.370 paratrooper song that was sung . Then 44:10.370 --> 44:12.250 he described to me what the 44:12.250 --> 44:14.417 paratroopers commoing this special day 44:14.417 --> 44:17.969 were experiencing . Even with all this , 44:18.580 --> 44:21.879 I still don't understand . The urge to 44:21.879 --> 44:24.101 jump out of a perfectly good airplane . 44:28.580 --> 44:30.691 As an army officer , Secretary Austin 44:30.691 --> 44:32.913 succeeded through teamwork . Leadership 44:32.913 --> 44:35.136 quality that contributed to his success 44:35.136 --> 44:37.570 as our Secretary of Defense . As 44:37.570 --> 44:39.626 secretary , he led the Department of 44:39.626 --> 44:41.681 Defense through several major crises 44:41.681 --> 44:43.792 and set us on a path for the future . 44:44.929 --> 44:46.985 His approach reminds me of a quote I 44:46.985 --> 44:49.479 use often . Success takes help . 44:50.590 --> 44:53.449 Failure , you can do alone . Success 44:53.449 --> 44:56.090 takes help . Failure , you can do alone . 44:57.139 --> 44:59.028 Secretary also knows the value of 44:59.028 --> 45:01.870 teamwork to succeed . He helped fortify 45:01.870 --> 45:04.419 NATO . When Russia invaded Ukraine . 45:05.379 --> 45:07.790 Exposing Russia's authoritarian aims to 45:07.790 --> 45:10.679 the world . Create a coalition of over 45:10.679 --> 45:12.623 50 nations that contribute tens of 45:12.623 --> 45:15.110 billions of dollars . Providing the 45:15.110 --> 45:17.054 critical support Ukraine needed to 45:17.054 --> 45:19.679 defend itself . He also led the 45:19.679 --> 45:21.623 department's response to the Hamas 45:21.623 --> 45:25.510 terrorist attack on Israel . bolstering 45:25.510 --> 45:27.732 our Israeli allies , countering attacks 45:27.732 --> 45:29.843 from proxies in violent extremists on 45:29.843 --> 45:32.066 our forces and helping to stabilize the 45:32.066 --> 45:34.288 region . He made numerous visits to the 45:34.288 --> 45:36.066 Indo-Pacific region solidifying 45:36.066 --> 45:38.232 relationships across a range of allies 45:38.232 --> 45:41.939 and partners . He and Deputy Deputy 45:41.939 --> 45:43.828 Secretary Caf Hicks established a 45:43.828 --> 45:45.939 transparent process . That engendered 45:45.939 --> 45:48.260 teamwork across the department . To 45:48.260 --> 45:50.699 ensure our budget submissions aligned 45:50.699 --> 45:53.580 with our strategy . For 4 years , 45:53.669 --> 45:55.613 Secretary Austin helped defend the 45:55.613 --> 45:58.159 nation . Build readiness and resilience 45:58.159 --> 46:00.040 among our service members and 46:00.040 --> 46:01.929 strengthen critical alliances and 46:01.929 --> 46:03.707 partnerships around the world . 46:04.300 --> 46:07.379 Standing by his side the past 40+ years 46:07.379 --> 46:09.770 has been This is Shirlene Austin . 46:11.530 --> 46:13.752 Charlene has quietly dedicated 45 years 46:13.752 --> 46:15.919 of her life in service to our nation . 46:16.169 --> 46:18.550 As an educator and counselor . Our 46:18.550 --> 46:20.439 passion in life is taking care of 46:20.439 --> 46:22.479 others . She has a presence that 46:22.479 --> 46:24.590 encourages people to open up to her . 46:25.629 --> 46:27.629 She willed that superpower over the 46:27.629 --> 46:29.629 decades to help service members and 46:29.629 --> 46:31.729 their families . who appreciated her 46:31.729 --> 46:33.600 straightforward demeanor . Her 46:33.600 --> 46:35.711 infectious laugh and the kindness and 46:35.711 --> 46:38.239 compassion she displayed wherever she 46:38.239 --> 46:41.040 went . I was told that Secretary Austin 46:41.040 --> 46:43.040 usually gets a spring in his step . 46:43.040 --> 46:44.830 He's in a much much better mood 46:45.159 --> 46:47.381 whenever Charlene visits the Pentagon . 46:48.729 --> 46:50.562 You know , if I had known that , 46:50.562 --> 46:52.562 Charlene , we'd invite you into the 46:52.562 --> 46:55.659 building a lot more often . Thank you , 46:55.739 --> 46:57.850 Charlene , for your decades of , uh , 46:57.850 --> 47:00.072 service , uh , to our nation . For your 47:00.072 --> 47:02.128 love and support of Secretary Austin 47:02.128 --> 47:03.906 over the years . And for making 47:03.906 --> 47:06.560 Secretary Austin a better man . Now , 47:06.649 --> 47:08.871 those are not my words , those are your 47:08.871 --> 47:09.871 words , Mr . 47:20.320 --> 47:22.264 Secretary Austin and Charlene have 47:22.264 --> 47:24.850 spent 45 years planting trees . They 47:24.850 --> 47:28.050 left an example of a life lived in 47:28.050 --> 47:31.320 service . I believe that those in 47:31.320 --> 47:33.320 leadership , no matter what level . 47:33.899 --> 47:35.955 Have a responsibility to inspire the 47:35.955 --> 47:39.110 next generation . Together The Austins 47:39.300 --> 47:42.750 have been role models . Inspiring us to 47:42.750 --> 47:45.379 plant more seeds for the future . It's 47:45.379 --> 47:47.490 great shade for those that come after 47:47.490 --> 47:51.090 us to sit in . On behalf of the 47:51.090 --> 47:54.449 2.1 million . Men and women in uniform . 47:55.639 --> 47:58.409 On behalf of their families We thank 47:58.409 --> 48:00.465 you both for a lifetime of service . 48:01.149 --> 48:04.060 But most importantly , sure , Charlene , 48:04.340 --> 48:07.709 thanks for your leadership . God bless 48:07.709 --> 48:10.129 you and your family . God bless our 48:10.129 --> 48:12.500 sorcerers and their families . And God 48:12.500 --> 48:14.556 bless the United States of America . 48:14.556 --> 48:15.556 Thank you . 48:44.750 --> 48:44.870 I 48:59.919 --> 49:02.590 Distinguished guests Secretary Austin . 49:26.300 --> 49:28.300 Thank you . Thank you . 49:32.729 --> 49:33.729 Thank you . 49:40.949 --> 49:44.429 Troops as usual . You look 49:44.429 --> 49:46.830 magnificent , and thanks for all that 49:46.830 --> 49:48.909 you do to protect our country . 49:55.340 --> 49:57.451 Many thanks to the band for what they 49:57.451 --> 50:01.270 always do . Make every event 50:01.270 --> 50:04.429 that much more special . So thank you , 50:04.439 --> 50:08.320 man . Chairman , I gotta tell you , 50:10.699 --> 50:13.370 An image of me that is that size is 50:13.370 --> 50:17.270 quite unnerving to me . No . 50:19.669 --> 50:21.891 I actually think this is payback for my 50:21.891 --> 50:25.090 staff members . Who have had a look at 50:25.090 --> 50:28.219 an image like that oversized every day . 50:31.489 --> 50:33.656 Well , good morning , everybody . It's 50:33.656 --> 50:36.419 great to see everyone . And I am deeply 50:36.419 --> 50:38.699 grateful to General Brown and everyone 50:38.699 --> 50:40.977 else who arranged this wonderful event . 50:42.399 --> 50:44.840 Gary , a special thanks to you for 50:44.840 --> 50:47.860 another . stellar performance . 50:49.310 --> 50:49.719 I 50:58.399 --> 51:01.679 I'm truly grateful for all of you . For 51:01.679 --> 51:03.846 braving the cold today to be here with 51:03.846 --> 51:05.790 us , especially for those who have 51:05.790 --> 51:09.290 traveled great distances . Now , this 51:09.290 --> 51:11.969 is actually my 2nd ceremony retiring 51:11.969 --> 51:15.620 from the Department of Defense . And 51:15.620 --> 51:17.419 over the past 4 years , my wife 51:17.419 --> 51:19.659 Charlene has repeatedly pointed out to 51:19.659 --> 51:22.419 me that I failed retirement . 51:26.030 --> 51:28.320 But this has been a blessing that I 51:28.320 --> 51:30.860 never imagined . And it has been an 51:30.860 --> 51:34.409 incredible journey . 1st 41 years in 51:34.409 --> 51:37.530 the US Army and then 4 more years as 51:37.530 --> 51:41.010 Secretary of Defense . As I've said , 51:42.270 --> 51:44.729 American democracy is not a sprint but 51:44.729 --> 51:48.080 a relay race . And as we pass the 51:48.080 --> 51:51.229 baton , I am very proud of what we've 51:51.229 --> 51:55.030 achieved over the past 4 years . In my 51:55.030 --> 51:57.363 first message to the force as secretary , 51:57.469 --> 52:00.320 I laid out three priorities . Defend 52:00.320 --> 52:03.649 the nation Take care of our people 52:04.290 --> 52:07.179 and succeed through teamwork . And we 52:07.179 --> 52:09.540 have made huge progress on all three . 52:10.590 --> 52:12.770 We have intensely focused the 52:12.770 --> 52:14.770 Department of Defense on the pacing 52:14.770 --> 52:17.250 challenge from the People's Republic of 52:17.250 --> 52:20.310 China . We've made sweeping upgrades to 52:20.310 --> 52:23.530 our posture in the Indo-Pacific . We've 52:23.530 --> 52:25.959 rallied the free world to help Ukraine 52:26.729 --> 52:28.840 fight for its freedom against Putin's 52:28.840 --> 52:32.449 imperial aggression . We've led a NATO 52:32.449 --> 52:34.505 alliance that is stronger , larger , 52:34.590 --> 52:37.989 and more united than ever . We've 52:37.989 --> 52:40.229 prevented an all-out war in the Middle 52:40.229 --> 52:43.850 East . See Iran's 52:43.850 --> 52:47.590 proxies gutted across the region . And 52:47.590 --> 52:50.830 worked tirelessly to save Palestinian 52:50.830 --> 52:54.260 civilians in Gaza . We've 52:54.260 --> 52:58.250 also secured a ceasefire . That will 52:58.250 --> 53:01.419 halt the fighting in Gaza and reunite 53:01.419 --> 53:04.340 hostages with their families and surge 53:04.340 --> 53:07.300 much needed humanitarian aid to 53:07.300 --> 53:09.139 Palestinian civilians in Gaza . 53:19.399 --> 53:21.566 We've reinforced our unmatched network 53:21.566 --> 53:23.899 of allies and partners around the globe . 53:24.969 --> 53:27.169 We've invested deeply in the future of 53:27.169 --> 53:29.610 our military , including a defense 53:29.610 --> 53:31.889 budget that is set to increase in 53:31.889 --> 53:35.100 fiscal year 2025 by more than $100 53:35.100 --> 53:38.290 billion . From where we started in 53:38.290 --> 53:41.800 2021 . And we've taken huge 53:41.800 --> 53:43.856 strides to take care of our people , 53:43.856 --> 53:46.080 including raising base pay for our 53:46.080 --> 53:49.909 troops by almost 10% since 2021 . In 53:49.909 --> 53:52.949 making historic reforms to the military 53:52.949 --> 53:55.469 justice system and helping military 53:55.469 --> 53:57.780 spouses pursue their own careers . 53:59.929 --> 54:02.096 For the past 4 years we've stood up to 54:02.096 --> 54:05.949 our rivals . We've weakened our foes , 54:06.840 --> 54:09.959 strengthened our friends . Invested in 54:09.959 --> 54:12.949 our future and done right by our people . 54:14.379 --> 54:17.770 Now That doesn't just happen . 54:19.179 --> 54:21.179 And I am incredibly grateful to the 54:21.179 --> 54:23.290 exceptional team that has changed the 54:23.290 --> 54:26.389 course of history . Above all , thanks 54:26.389 --> 54:28.111 to my commander in chief , our 54:28.111 --> 54:31.500 commander in chief . I will 54:31.500 --> 54:33.879 forever be touched by President Biden's 54:33.879 --> 54:37.800 faith in me . Now I had the chance 54:37.800 --> 54:39.911 to talk about our president yesterday 54:40.330 --> 54:44.219 at his armed forces farewell . So I 54:44.219 --> 54:46.540 will just say again that our first 54:46.540 --> 54:50.040 family . is also a military family . 54:51.179 --> 54:53.610 And the president and first lady . We 54:53.610 --> 54:55.666 have always understood the worry and 54:55.666 --> 54:57.721 the pride that our military families 54:57.721 --> 55:01.469 carry . And President Biden has been an 55:01.469 --> 55:04.469 extraordinary guardian of America's 55:04.469 --> 55:07.350 bipartisan tradition of global 55:07.350 --> 55:11.030 leadership . Let me 55:11.030 --> 55:14.860 also thank Cath Hicks . Cath , 55:15.100 --> 55:16.100 you have been 55:30.169 --> 55:33.080 You have been a fantastic deputy . 55:34.270 --> 55:37.500 You've insisted on results . You are a 55:37.500 --> 55:40.520 barrier breaker . And a change maker . 55:42.050 --> 55:45.409 And you have made history . So thank 55:45.409 --> 55:48.229 you Secretary Hicks , and you deserve 55:48.229 --> 55:49.785 another round of applause . 56:04.189 --> 56:06.356 I'm deeply grateful to our outstanding 56:06.356 --> 56:08.578 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , 56:08.578 --> 56:12.080 General CQ Brown Jr . He is a legendary 56:12.080 --> 56:15.719 warfighter , brave , wise , and 56:15.719 --> 56:19.270 principled . And America's 56:19.270 --> 56:21.520 foes could have no worse enemy . 56:23.010 --> 56:26.090 America's allies could have no greater 56:26.090 --> 56:29.719 friend . And a Secretary of Defense . 56:30.770 --> 56:33.379 could have no better partner . Let's 56:33.379 --> 56:34.935 give it up for General CQ . 56:49.139 --> 56:51.050 I am grateful to our interagency 56:51.050 --> 56:53.217 partners on the national security team 56:53.217 --> 56:55.570 who have worked so well together for 4 56:55.570 --> 56:58.860 years . My thanks to Vice President 56:58.860 --> 57:01.350 Harris , Secretary Blinken , Secretary 57:01.350 --> 57:03.350 Yellen , Secretary McDonough , Jake 57:03.350 --> 57:05.461 Sullivan , Director Haynes , Director 57:05.461 --> 57:08.899 Burns , Chief of Staff Zaentz , and 57:08.899 --> 57:12.500 many , many more . I'd also like to 57:12.500 --> 57:14.167 thank our outstanding service 57:14.167 --> 57:17.979 secretaries , Christine Warmth , Carlos 57:17.979 --> 57:20.330 Del Toro , and Frank Kendall . 57:31.939 --> 57:33.939 Thanks for your leadership and your 57:33.939 --> 57:36.080 vision . I'm grateful to our vice 57:36.080 --> 57:38.830 chairman and the Joint Chiefs . Admiral 57:38.830 --> 57:41.770 Chris Grady . In our incredible service 57:41.770 --> 57:44.689 chiefs , General Randy George , General 57:44.689 --> 57:47.830 Eric Smith , Admiral Lisa Franchetti . 57:48.620 --> 57:50.729 General David Alvin , General Chance 57:50.729 --> 57:53.530 Saltzman , and General Steven Nordhaus . 57:54.340 --> 57:56.396 It has been a privilege to work with 57:56.396 --> 57:59.010 all of you . And it's been an honor to 57:59.010 --> 58:01.530 work alongside so many talented leaders 58:01.889 --> 58:03.945 and dedicated public servants across 58:03.945 --> 58:07.340 the department . I'd especially like to 58:07.340 --> 58:09.580 thank my extraordinary team in the 58:09.580 --> 58:11.636 office of the Secretary of Defense , 58:11.780 --> 58:15.669 which I call Team 28 . You have 58:15.669 --> 58:18.699 been brilliant , creative , and 58:18.699 --> 58:21.669 tireless . I've always been grateful 58:21.669 --> 58:23.836 for your skill , your dedication , and 58:23.836 --> 58:26.760 your integrity . And I am especially 58:26.760 --> 58:28.760 grateful to your families and loved 58:28.760 --> 58:31.820 ones who made your service possible . 58:33.290 --> 58:35.401 I can't name all of you now , or we'd 58:35.401 --> 58:39.209 never get out of here . But please know 58:39.209 --> 58:42.639 how much you all mean to me . I 58:42.639 --> 58:46.270 especially want to thank My chiefs of 58:46.270 --> 58:48.381 staff , my first chief of staff Kelly 58:48.381 --> 58:50.510 Maximin and her deputy Miller Louise 58:50.510 --> 58:52.340 Norman , who built this . 59:03.189 --> 59:05.245 And they helped me build this team . 59:06.280 --> 59:08.502 I'm deeply grateful to my current chief 59:08.502 --> 59:10.830 Derek Sheet , and my deputy chief of 59:10.830 --> 59:13.310 staff , Caroline Zi , who have guided 59:13.310 --> 59:13.810 us up . 59:22.989 --> 59:25.045 I'm also proud to have served with 4 59:25.045 --> 59:27.139 superb senior military assistants . 59:28.080 --> 59:31.840 Generals Brian Finton , Randy George , 59:32.090 --> 59:34.739 Ron Clark , and Jen Short . And 59:36.120 --> 59:38.399 for my principal military assistants , 59:38.800 --> 59:41.239 junior military assistants , our front 59:41.239 --> 59:43.295 office , non-commissioned officers , 59:43.295 --> 59:46.290 and all their families . And believe me , 59:47.090 --> 59:49.600 I know how hard it was and how much you 59:49.600 --> 59:51.919 gave . Let's have a round of applause 59:51.919 --> 59:53.919 for the best team in the business . 01:00:07.590 --> 01:00:10.639 I also want to thank my family . I'm 01:00:10.639 --> 01:00:13.590 thinking today of my parents . My dad , 01:00:13.629 --> 01:00:15.949 who did so much to point me in the 01:00:15.949 --> 01:00:19.270 right direction . Including pushing me 01:00:19.270 --> 01:00:21.159 pretty firmly toward West Point . 01:00:25.239 --> 01:00:27.419 We lost my mom when I was deployed to 01:00:27.419 --> 01:00:31.409 Iraq . I have never met a wiser 01:00:31.409 --> 01:00:34.939 person . And I miss her every day . 01:00:36.879 --> 01:00:38.712 I'm also deeply grateful for the 01:00:38.712 --> 01:00:40.768 support and love of my siblings , my 01:00:40.768 --> 01:00:44.020 brother Morse . My 4 big sisters , 01:00:44.110 --> 01:00:47.409 Patricia , Caroline . Serena 01:00:48.280 --> 01:00:52.229 And our late sister Lloyd . We 01:00:52.229 --> 01:00:55.669 miss her so much . I'm incredibly proud 01:00:55.669 --> 01:00:58.360 of our sons , Reggie and Shane and the 01:00:58.360 --> 01:01:01.250 fine men that they have become . When I 01:01:01.250 --> 01:01:03.739 think of the future . I think of you 01:01:03.739 --> 01:01:07.090 too . And above all , 01:01:07.969 --> 01:01:10.025 I want to thank my wife , Charlene . 01:01:11.260 --> 01:01:13.500 Charlene , I was first struck by your 01:01:13.500 --> 01:01:15.889 warm smile and your wonderful laugh . 01:01:17.340 --> 01:01:19.590 In all these years I've come to rely on 01:01:19.590 --> 01:01:22.739 your strength , your spirit , and your 01:01:22.739 --> 01:01:26.669 love . You made huge sacrifices as a 01:01:26.669 --> 01:01:29.889 military spouse . And then you had to 01:01:29.889 --> 01:01:32.770 change course again when I uprooted the 01:01:32.770 --> 01:01:34.714 peaceful retirement that we'd just 01:01:34.714 --> 01:01:35.714 begun . 01:01:39.120 --> 01:01:41.320 You are the source of everything good 01:01:41.320 --> 01:01:44.500 in my life . And marrying you was the 01:01:44.500 --> 01:01:47.540 best decision that I ever made . And 01:01:47.540 --> 01:01:50.270 it's not even close . Cha , I love you . 01:02:04.110 --> 01:02:06.054 Above all , I want to speak to the 01:02:06.054 --> 01:02:09.600 troops today . You know , this business 01:02:09.600 --> 01:02:12.879 is not just about Platforms and 01:02:12.879 --> 01:02:15.580 procurement . It's about you . 01:02:17.300 --> 01:02:19.399 We are not just the most lethal 01:02:19.399 --> 01:02:22.280 fighting force on Earth . We are also 01:02:22.280 --> 01:02:24.760 the finest fighting force on Earth . 01:02:25.750 --> 01:02:29.750 And that is down to all of you . Many 01:02:29.750 --> 01:02:31.694 of you have heard me talk about my 01:02:31.694 --> 01:02:33.917 first platoon sergeant , Sergeant First 01:02:33.917 --> 01:02:37.239 Class Fox Ballard . And he taught me 01:02:37.239 --> 01:02:39.600 that the most important thing you can 01:02:39.600 --> 01:02:42.590 do . is to take care of your people . 01:02:43.800 --> 01:02:45.969 That has always been my North Star . 01:02:47.550 --> 01:02:49.661 Our greatest strategic advantage will 01:02:49.661 --> 01:02:52.270 always be the talents of the American 01:02:52.270 --> 01:02:55.709 people . We don't lower our standards 01:02:55.709 --> 01:02:59.399 for our recruits . We take good people 01:02:59.689 --> 01:03:02.370 and make them even better . And those 01:03:02.370 --> 01:03:04.830 who want to join us must raise their 01:03:04.830 --> 01:03:08.540 game . But any military that 01:03:08.540 --> 01:03:10.780 turns away qualified patriots who were 01:03:10.780 --> 01:03:14.010 eager to serve . is just making itself 01:03:14.010 --> 01:03:16.030 smaller . And weaker . 01:03:28.739 --> 01:03:30.961 Ladies and gentlemen , the power of the 01:03:30.961 --> 01:03:32.989 United States military flows . From 01:03:32.989 --> 01:03:35.189 both our people and our principles . 01:03:36.669 --> 01:03:40.050 Our capabilities are unrivaled . Our 01:03:40.050 --> 01:03:43.820 platforms are unmatched . But those 01:03:43.820 --> 01:03:46.790 are expressions of our strength , and 01:03:46.790 --> 01:03:50.610 not its foundation . Every military 01:03:50.610 --> 01:03:53.760 defends a country . But the United 01:03:53.760 --> 01:03:56.320 States military also defends the 01:03:56.320 --> 01:03:59.449 Constitution . Now that isn't 01:04:00.219 --> 01:04:03.120 some side point . It's the oath that I 01:04:03.120 --> 01:04:05.850 swore when I commissioned . To support 01:04:05.850 --> 01:04:07.794 and defend the Constitution of the 01:04:07.794 --> 01:04:09.794 United States against all enemies , 01:04:10.100 --> 01:04:13.449 foreign and domestic . That is what we 01:04:13.449 --> 01:04:16.560 do and that is who we are . 01:04:17.820 --> 01:04:19.820 And I will never stop saying this . 01:04:30.159 --> 01:04:33.149 And we defend not just the American 01:04:33.149 --> 01:04:37.120 people . But also the American idea . 01:04:38.389 --> 01:04:40.500 We are not just any military , we are 01:04:40.500 --> 01:04:43.969 the United States military . We defend 01:04:43.969 --> 01:04:45.858 government of the people , by the 01:04:45.858 --> 01:04:48.810 people and for the people , and we do 01:04:48.810 --> 01:04:51.600 not bend on matters of honor , 01:04:52.090 --> 01:04:56.020 integrity , or law . You know , 01:04:56.790 --> 01:04:59.139 I was taught at West Point to pray that 01:04:59.139 --> 01:05:01.028 I would choose the harder right . 01:05:01.469 --> 01:05:04.830 Instead of the easy or wrong . And I've 01:05:04.830 --> 01:05:07.052 tried every day as secretary to live up 01:05:07.052 --> 01:05:09.969 to that teaching . I know that may 01:05:09.969 --> 01:05:13.149 sound old fashioned . But when it comes 01:05:13.149 --> 01:05:15.830 to flag , country , and constitution , 01:05:16.399 --> 01:05:18.120 I am an old fashioned guy . 01:05:20.580 --> 01:05:22.524 Ladies and gentlemen , I leave the 01:05:22.524 --> 01:05:24.691 Department of Defense with great pride 01:05:24.691 --> 01:05:26.989 and great confidence . And that's 01:05:26.989 --> 01:05:29.510 because of you . Because of your 01:05:29.510 --> 01:05:32.669 courage , your character , your 01:05:32.669 --> 01:05:35.840 strength , your integrity . And your 01:05:35.840 --> 01:05:37.800 commitment to excellence and your 01:05:37.800 --> 01:05:41.760 refusal to accept dishonor or defeat . 01:05:44.560 --> 01:05:46.616 You know , there's a great tension . 01:05:47.659 --> 01:05:50.300 Even a paradox at the heart of our 01:05:50.300 --> 01:05:54.000 enterprise . Those of us who spend our 01:05:54.000 --> 01:05:57.469 lives trying to master war . are also 01:05:57.469 --> 01:05:59.590 the ones who best understand its 01:05:59.590 --> 01:06:03.530 terrors . If we must use military force 01:06:03.530 --> 01:06:05.729 to defend our country , we will not 01:06:05.729 --> 01:06:09.639 flinch and we will not fail . But we 01:06:09.639 --> 01:06:11.959 have learned in the hardest possible 01:06:11.959 --> 01:06:15.610 way . That we should be modest about 01:06:15.610 --> 01:06:19.050 what force can achieve . And be wary of 01:06:19.050 --> 01:06:22.919 its unexpected consequences . Now 01:06:22.919 --> 01:06:24.800 we understand that this mighty 01:06:24.800 --> 01:06:27.889 department is just One of our tools of 01:06:27.889 --> 01:06:31.199 national powers . It's been my duty . 01:06:31.969 --> 01:06:34.149 To keep our country from returning to 01:06:34.149 --> 01:06:37.310 those terrible times of great power war . 01:06:39.239 --> 01:06:42.510 to the dangerous decades . When America 01:06:42.510 --> 01:06:44.550 abandoned its position of global 01:06:44.550 --> 01:06:47.159 leadership . And came to believe that 01:06:47.159 --> 01:06:50.120 we could stand alone and apart . While 01:06:50.120 --> 01:06:52.231 freedom itself was in mortal danger . 01:06:55.729 --> 01:06:58.399 Over the past 5 decades , I have seen 01:06:58.929 --> 01:07:00.818 the United States military change 01:07:00.818 --> 01:07:04.729 profoundly . We've gone from the 01:07:04.729 --> 01:07:07.010 limping and demoralized conscript force 01:07:07.010 --> 01:07:09.439 of Vietnam to the lethal powerhouse of 01:07:09.439 --> 01:07:11.106 today's all volunteer force . 01:07:13.169 --> 01:07:15.800 And because I served 3 long tours in 01:07:15.800 --> 01:07:19.770 Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan . I've 01:07:19.770 --> 01:07:22.520 had the privilege of having a front row 01:07:22.520 --> 01:07:25.239 seat at the greatest stage in the world . 01:07:26.360 --> 01:07:28.739 I've seen again and again what our 01:07:28.739 --> 01:07:30.683 fighting men and women will do for 01:07:30.683 --> 01:07:32.906 their teammates and for their country . 01:07:33.449 --> 01:07:35.282 And I've seen American troops do 01:07:35.282 --> 01:07:38.689 amazing things . Over and over again . 01:07:41.179 --> 01:07:43.235 And I know that you will continue to 01:07:43.235 --> 01:07:46.120 keep us safe and make us proud . You 01:07:46.120 --> 01:07:48.239 know , Omar Bradley used to keep a 01:07:48.239 --> 01:07:50.461 cartoon hanging over his desk at home . 01:07:51.600 --> 01:07:53.822 It showed an infantryman sitting with a 01:07:53.822 --> 01:07:57.040 rifle across his knees . And above him 01:07:57.040 --> 01:07:59.280 was a list of cutting edge weapons . 01:08:00.919 --> 01:08:02.808 Yet the soldier in the cartoon is 01:08:02.808 --> 01:08:06.239 saying , But they still haven't found a 01:08:06.239 --> 01:08:07.830 substitute for me . 01:08:10.159 --> 01:08:13.590 That's still true . There is no 01:08:13.590 --> 01:08:16.270 substitute for American troops and for 01:08:16.270 --> 01:08:18.580 men and women of courage and character . 01:08:19.269 --> 01:08:21.380 There is no substitute for principled 01:08:21.380 --> 01:08:24.839 leadership . You know , you can't push 01:08:24.839 --> 01:08:27.410 someone into battle . You've got to 01:08:27.410 --> 01:08:29.209 lead them into battle . 01:08:31.390 --> 01:08:33.620 And for troops in every branch who are 01:08:33.620 --> 01:08:37.479 looking for how to do that . Let me 01:08:37.479 --> 01:08:39.590 again point you toward Omar Bradley . 01:08:41.089 --> 01:08:43.600 And he declared that leadership means 01:08:43.600 --> 01:08:45.933 firmness , firmness , and not harshness . 01:08:46.819 --> 01:08:49.450 Understanding Not weakness . 01:08:50.669 --> 01:08:54.390 Justice And not irresponsible freedom . 01:08:55.259 --> 01:08:59.180 Humaneness Not intolerance and 01:08:59.180 --> 01:09:03.020 generosity . Not selfishness and 01:09:03.020 --> 01:09:05.750 pride . Not egotism . 01:09:08.209 --> 01:09:10.042 I am incredibly proud of our all 01:09:10.042 --> 01:09:13.249 volunteer force . You and your families 01:09:13.249 --> 01:09:15.305 bear an extraordinary burden to keep 01:09:15.305 --> 01:09:18.378 your fellow citizens safe . And we must 01:09:18.378 --> 01:09:21.048 always be honest with ourselves about 01:09:21.048 --> 01:09:23.889 the sacrifice that this enterprise 01:09:23.889 --> 01:09:27.779 demands . Over 01:09:27.779 --> 01:09:31.700 the past 4 years . Yellow folders 01:09:31.700 --> 01:09:34.209 have arrived at my desk again and again . 01:09:36.240 --> 01:09:39.040 Those yellow folders carry the letters 01:09:39.040 --> 01:09:41.959 of condolence . To the parents of the 01:09:41.959 --> 01:09:45.259 fallen . To new widows and 01:09:45.259 --> 01:09:48.819 widowers . Into children who will grow 01:09:48.819 --> 01:09:50.669 up without their mom and dad . 01:09:52.669 --> 01:09:55.640 I have sat with those letters . And I 01:09:55.640 --> 01:09:58.509 have thought of them before each 01:09:58.509 --> 01:10:01.520 decision . And I will hold them in my 01:10:01.520 --> 01:10:03.560 heart until the day I die . 01:10:06.259 --> 01:10:08.560 I still mourn for the fallen of Abby 01:10:08.560 --> 01:10:11.620 Gate . of Tower 22 . 01:10:12.720 --> 01:10:14.776 Of every soldier , sailor , airman , 01:10:14.776 --> 01:10:16.553 marine , and guardian lost in a 01:10:16.553 --> 01:10:20.100 training accident . And a very American 01:10:20.189 --> 01:10:23.819 in uniform . Who gave in to 01:10:24.470 --> 01:10:27.879 unseen wounds and took their own life . 01:10:30.040 --> 01:10:32.259 And I hope that as Lincoln said , 01:10:34.149 --> 01:10:36.740 We will all take increased devotion 01:10:37.609 --> 01:10:39.053 from these honored dead . 01:10:42.470 --> 01:10:45.430 Serving as Secretary of Defense has 01:10:45.430 --> 01:10:49.430 been the highest honor of my life . And 01:10:49.430 --> 01:10:53.160 the heaviest responsibility . This job 01:10:54.490 --> 01:10:58.290 Demands calm Judgment And 01:10:58.290 --> 01:11:01.660 humility It tests you 01:11:02.620 --> 01:11:06.259 It tempers you . And I shouldered it 01:11:06.259 --> 01:11:08.790 with a deep sense of resolve and duty . 01:11:10.109 --> 01:11:12.569 And I will set it aside with gratitude 01:11:12.569 --> 01:11:16.339 and confidence . I am deeply 01:11:16.339 --> 01:11:18.561 proud of what we have achieved together 01:11:18.561 --> 01:11:20.061 at this hinge in history . 01:11:22.569 --> 01:11:24.859 The world continues to look to America , 01:11:24.899 --> 01:11:26.979 and we must stand as a beacon of 01:11:26.979 --> 01:11:30.390 freedom . We are not just any country . 01:11:31.689 --> 01:11:33.245 We are the guardians of the 01:11:33.245 --> 01:11:36.850 revolutionary ideals . Of our founders 01:11:38.049 --> 01:11:40.879 They believe that governments exist to 01:11:40.879 --> 01:11:43.000 serve their people and not the other 01:11:43.000 --> 01:11:46.370 way around . They believe that all 01:11:46.370 --> 01:11:49.950 human beings are created equal . They 01:11:49.950 --> 01:11:52.450 believe that we are all endowed by our 01:11:52.450 --> 01:11:55.109 Creator with inalienable rights . 01:11:56.450 --> 01:11:58.529 They believe that tyrants and kings 01:11:58.529 --> 01:12:02.000 have had their day . And they 01:12:02.000 --> 01:12:04.520 believed in the final reckoning . 01:12:05.870 --> 01:12:07.537 Power belongs to the people . 01:12:09.859 --> 01:12:12.259 You know those beliefs still inspire 01:12:12.259 --> 01:12:15.910 the world . And they still spur us 01:12:15.910 --> 01:12:19.220 on . As I said last year in Normandy , 01:12:19.259 --> 01:12:23.180 80 years after D-Day . We still seek a 01:12:23.180 --> 01:12:26.859 world where aggression is a sin . And 01:12:26.859 --> 01:12:29.740 where human rights are sacred . And 01:12:29.740 --> 01:12:31.907 where all people can live in freedom . 01:12:34.629 --> 01:12:38.459 Now I am a proud graduate . Of 01:12:38.459 --> 01:12:41.089 the class of 1975 from West Point . 01:12:42.419 --> 01:12:44.689 My class motto was courage and drive . 01:12:47.109 --> 01:12:50.350 Courage and drive . Those are the 01:12:50.350 --> 01:12:52.461 virtues that our military still needs 01:12:52.461 --> 01:12:53.740 and still embodies . 01:12:56.310 --> 01:12:59.459 This final turn of duty . has been a 01:12:59.459 --> 01:13:03.359 time of great pride . Because of 01:13:03.359 --> 01:13:05.919 the extraordinary Americans whom I've 01:13:05.919 --> 01:13:07.975 had the honor of leading and serving 01:13:07.975 --> 01:13:11.729 alongside . And that means everyone in 01:13:11.729 --> 01:13:13.580 this room and everyone in this 01:13:13.580 --> 01:13:15.802 department , from the greenest cadet to 01:13:15.802 --> 01:13:19.790 the most decorated generals . I 01:13:19.790 --> 01:13:22.109 am and I am more proud to be your 01:13:22.109 --> 01:13:25.910 teammate . than words can ever convey . 01:13:29.600 --> 01:13:32.229 Now soldiers tell war stories . 01:13:33.479 --> 01:13:35.200 Especially old soldiers . 01:13:37.790 --> 01:13:39.319 So let me end with one . 01:13:42.890 --> 01:13:44.946 And it's the same one that I used to 01:13:44.946 --> 01:13:47.057 end my speech when I retired from the 01:13:47.057 --> 01:13:48.109 Army in 2016 . 01:13:51.759 --> 01:13:53.981 Little knowing that my path would bring 01:13:53.981 --> 01:13:57.970 me here today . And it's one that 01:13:58.060 --> 01:14:01.569 at least one member of this audience is 01:14:01.569 --> 01:14:03.930 very familiar with because he was there 01:14:03.930 --> 01:14:06.750 with me . His name is Ted Koppel . 01:14:08.950 --> 01:14:11.580 In the spring of 2003 , I was leading 01:14:11.580 --> 01:14:13.802 the Third Infantry division through the 01:14:13.802 --> 01:14:16.410 Karbala Gap in southern Iraq . The 01:14:16.410 --> 01:14:18.299 night before our charge , we were 01:14:18.299 --> 01:14:21.209 locked in a huge artillery duel with 01:14:21.209 --> 01:14:23.487 elements of the Iraqi Republican Guard . 01:14:24.720 --> 01:14:28.169 And we knew that In the morning we 01:14:28.169 --> 01:14:30.520 would we would have to execute one of 01:14:30.520 --> 01:14:32.742 the hardest maneuvers of the Iraq war . 01:14:33.520 --> 01:14:35.910 And that was to get an entire heavy 01:14:35.910 --> 01:14:38.589 division through an area only 2 01:14:38.589 --> 01:14:39.660 kilometers wide . 01:14:42.580 --> 01:14:44.839 That night of fire and thunder finally 01:14:44.839 --> 01:14:47.770 passed . And dawn broke . 01:14:49.100 --> 01:14:51.044 And as we're about to move out , a 01:14:51.044 --> 01:14:53.211 Bradley fighting vehicle rode past our 01:14:53.211 --> 01:14:56.669 position . And on its antenna was an 01:14:56.669 --> 01:15:00.270 American flag . Now that flag 01:15:00.520 --> 01:15:04.479 was tattered and torn . It was with 01:15:04.479 --> 01:15:08.089 desert sand and dust . But it 01:15:08.089 --> 01:15:11.620 flew proudly . Amid the winds of war . 01:15:13.270 --> 01:15:15.689 I will never forget that site or that 01:15:15.689 --> 01:15:19.149 moment . And the memory of seeing that 01:15:19.149 --> 01:15:22.430 flag came back to me as I thought about . 01:15:23.419 --> 01:15:27.200 My remarks today . Francis 01:15:27.200 --> 01:15:30.319 Scott Key gave America our anthem with 01:15:30.319 --> 01:15:32.919 his poem about a flag that catches the 01:15:32.919 --> 01:15:36.430 gleam in the morning's first beam . And 01:15:36.430 --> 01:15:38.486 I often think about that one flag on 01:15:38.486 --> 01:15:41.939 the battlefield . Snapping in the wind 01:15:43.310 --> 01:15:46.330 Ripped and battered . But still 01:15:46.859 --> 01:15:50.330 bold and proud . And I think of 01:15:51.020 --> 01:15:53.242 the courage of every American soldier , 01:15:53.242 --> 01:15:55.740 sailor , airman , marine , and guardian 01:15:55.740 --> 01:15:58.830 who has carried our flag . Over the 01:15:58.830 --> 01:16:00.700 centuries into battle . 01:16:03.270 --> 01:16:06.319 In defense of the great experiment in 01:16:06.319 --> 01:16:09.459 democracy that we call The United 01:16:09.459 --> 01:16:13.160 States of America . That is the flag 01:16:13.160 --> 01:16:17.140 for which we fight . That is a flag 01:16:17.140 --> 01:16:20.089 that carries the hopes of our founders . 01:16:21.339 --> 01:16:24.680 And it is the flag that honors the 01:16:24.680 --> 01:16:28.149 sacrifice of our fallen . That is the 01:16:28.149 --> 01:16:30.589 flag of our values , the flag of our 01:16:30.589 --> 01:16:32.779 vows , and the flag of our vision . 01:16:34.669 --> 01:16:36.779 It still waves over the land of the 01:16:36.779 --> 01:16:40.399 free and the home of the brave . And I 01:16:40.399 --> 01:16:42.990 know that you will never let it fall . 01:16:44.810 --> 01:16:46.977 And I know that you will proudly carry 01:16:46.977 --> 01:16:49.620 forward . The flag of the United States 01:16:49.620 --> 01:16:53.129 of America with courage and drive . 01:16:54.600 --> 01:16:57.470 Thank you . May God protect our troops , 01:16:57.479 --> 01:16:59.439 and may God continue to bless the 01:16:59.439 --> 01:17:00.939 United States of America . 01:18:00.810 --> 01:18:03.410 S 1 01:18:08.330 --> 01:18:12.259 I go . To . 01:18:15.450 --> 01:18:19.419 Oh , right . Oh 01:18:26.169 --> 01:18:29.589 OK . Yeah . 01:18:39.060 --> 01:18:40.060 That's a 01:18:43.600 --> 01:18:45.990 Ourgo pass in review . 01:18:48.399 --> 01:18:49.399 word 01:18:58.770 --> 01:18:59.149 Oh 01:22:32.919 --> 01:22:35.080 Ladies and gentlemen , the service 01:22:35.080 --> 01:22:37.680 songs of the armed forces of the United 01:22:37.680 --> 01:22:38.680 States . 01:27:13.339 --> 01:27:15.061 Sir , this includes December . 01:27:20.750 --> 01:27:22.972 Ladies and gentlemen , please remain in 01:27:22.972 --> 01:27:25.970 your seats and join in giving one final 01:27:25.970 --> 01:27:29.439 salute to Secretary and Mrs . Austin as 01:27:29.439 --> 01:27:30.319 they depart .