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Below is a transcript of the remarks as prepared:
Good morning Secretary Berger, Acting Secretary Jenkins, Secretary Bayer, Admiral Caldwell, distinguished guests, family, friends, and shipmates ... welcome!
Thank you for joining us today here at the Navy Yard for this change of command ceremony. This is a momentous event—the transfer of absolute responsibility for the Naval Facilities Command mission, and for the safety and well-being of this entire command, from one officer to another. This is an extraordinary occasion.
I want to begin my remarks today by sharing the story of Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric L. Knott, who epitomized the proud spirit and “can-do” attitude that has defined Naval Facilities Command and the Naval Construction Battalion—the Seabees—throughout their history.
We are joined this morning by Eric’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Knott. Eric was a Seabee stationed out of Port Hueneme. In 2004, Eric deployed to Iraq for his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On the morning of September 4th, while fabricating gates used to protect U.S. forces in Fallujah, Eric gave his life in the line of duty.
Those who served with Eric describe his big smile and even bigger heart. A retired Warrant Officer recalled that he was a “man of impeccable integrity, tireless devotion to do the right thing, and unparalleled commitment to mission accomplishment.”
And another officer said, Eric was “upholding the Seabee ‘can do’" tradition and the Seabee motto: "With compassion for others, we build - we fight, for peace with freedom.""
So Mr. and Mrs. Knott, thank you for being here, and thank you for your son’s service. For sure, Eric’s memory is both an inspiration and a blessing for so many. His sacrifice is worthy of our reflection and eternal respect.
Starting with the Civil War, and in every major American conflict since, Naval Facilities Command has made remarkable contributions to our Navy and our nation.
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command was originally established in 1842—earlier this year we celebrated its 180th anniversary. Initially the command employed a grand total of five people!
Following the Civil War, naval civil engineers rebuilt the shipyards at Norfolk and Pensacola.
After the Spanish-American War, naval engineers constructed bases in the Philippine Islands, Guam, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
During World War I, the scope of the Naval Facilities and Engineers expanded, when they built facilities in France, England and Ireland.
In World War II, as the naval construction mission spread across Europe, into Africa, Asia, Australia, South America and the Caribbean – the Navy realized it needed not just builders, but builders who could fight, and defend what they built.
That’s when Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, the original “King Bee,” spearheaded the effort to recruit, enlist, and train an experienced, skilled force—the vaunted Seabees.
Admiral Moreell bestowed on the Seabees their official motto, “We Build, We Fight,” and they lived up to their calling. From North Africa to Normandy, and from the Aleutian Islands to Okinawa, the Seabees were vital to the war effort, earning 33 Silver Stars and 5 Navy Crosses for their heroic actions during World War II.
During the Korean War, U.S. troops landed at Inchon in one of the greatest amphibious assaults in history. Naval engineers made it possible.
During the Cold War, when Fidel Castro cut the water supply to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Navy engineers made the base self-sufficient through seawater desalinization and electric power generation.
In Vietnam construction troops cemented their reputation as fighters and builders, supporting allied operations while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Marines, Soldiers, and Allied forces. In fact, it was a Seabee – Petty Officer Third Class Marvin G. Shields – who became the first Navy man in Vietnam – and the first Seabee – to receive the Medal of Honor.
And in Iraq and Afghanistan, from Desert Shield and Desert Storm through Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and up to the present, NAVFAC Sailors – like Petty Officer Knott – have built base camps, aircraft facilities, roads, ammo supply points, and medical facilities that have been vital to our nation’s efforts.
Today, NAVFAC’s Civil Engineer Corps and civilians continue to do our nation’s work. Across 15 commands, they are the engineers, architects, contract specialists, and professionals we rely on to plan, design, build, and defend Navy facilities around the world.
It takes a very special kind of officer to lead such an organization, and since 2018, we’ve had such a leader in John Korka.
John, your journey began with your shipmates hunting Soviet submarines during the Cold War. Now, after four decades of service, you earned the rank of rear admiral, command of the entire NAVFAC enterprise and Chief of Civil Engineers. You have lived up to Admiral Moreell’s legacy as King Bee.
As the Chief of Civil Engineers, you led our Navy’s CEC community of over 1,700 officers as well as the 11,000 enlisted Seabees.
In peace and war, they fortify our bases and reinforce our nation’s ability to stand the watch so that we can deter conflict and ensure the survival of liberty everywhere.
John built upon the strong legacy of the Seabees as a leader of competence and character.
He has worked to improve connections between the military and civilian work force, and he has applied modern analytic techniques to our toughest engineering problems.
Now, as Commander of NAVFAC, John has made even more waves. Tasked with the once-in-a-generation overhaul of our public shipyards, John took the conn of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP).
The weight of this program – a once-in-a-century strategic priority in which our nation has invested more than $21 billion would cause most people to crumple. But this is John Korka – a guy who benches 250 pounds before breakfast.
So, charged with managing the SIOP program, John rose to the challenge and expertly set the public shipyards on course to ensure that our Navy and shipbuilding base will answer our nation’s demands in this critical decade and beyond.
Like a true engineer and naval officer, John led with his head and from the front. All the while he took care of his people, focusing on improving safety. Under his leadership, NAVFAC decreased the mishap rate by 40% and remained 81% below industry’s rate.
Truly brilliant work, John. You have made us better.
Your time at the helm of NAVFAC has been nothing short of regal. Thank you for the tireless effort, fierce determination, and can-do spirit that made you a most worthy King Bee.
Throughout your extraordinary 36-year career, your family stood beside you and they, too, deserve great credit for all they did throughout your decades of service. They provided you with the strength and stamina you needed to lead and serve so faithfully.
Now, I can tell you that everyone who has been to the Korka home knows that Katie is master & commander… and she runs a tight ship.
Katie, thank you for your sacrifice and support these past four decades. Through 13 PCS moves to houses all over the world, you maintained a home – a home filled with faith and love. As she like to say, she taught the Korka kids to “remain flexible and grow wherever they were in the world.”
Katie, you have been the rock for the Korka family. You raised five incredible children – wrapped in faith, filled with love, and ready to lead a life of service. Our Navy owes you a debt of gratitude.
To the Korka kids: Beatrice, Jacquelyn, Liam, Bennet, and Oliver – all five of you supported your dad as he took care of us. As you know well, the Navy is a family, and we serve as families. Thank you for your sacrifices. I promise the gift of your dad’s time has made our Navy – and our nation – much stronger. He is rightfully proud of each of you.
Thank you for choosing to lead consequential lives – lives of service – in education, in medicine, and in the Marine Corps.
I know that John takes great pride in being the son of a master chief. I think it is safe to say that his father, William, looks down from above with immense pride, and your mother, Trinidad, smiles alongside him for the life her son has led.
Standing beside them in heaven are your late in-laws. Your double-purple-heart, Korean War and World War II veteran, father-in-law, Cornelius, and your mother-in-law, Jane, are beaming with admiration today!
To the rest of the Korka family and supporters with us today, we are happy to have you here on the Washington Navy Yard to celebrate the awe-inspiring career of your amazing brother, uncle, and friend.
As John goes ashore for the final time, it means the world to be flanked by family. But now, his Navy family assumes the watch.
And just as we are sad to see the Korka family go ... we are excited for what lies ahead.
Rear Admiral Dean VanderLey has been an essential part of our Navy and brings the exact type of professional experience we need for this immense responsibility.
We welcome him and his great family: his wife, Ashley, his parents, Judy & Rod, his in-laws, Karen and Jim, his sister-in-law Lindsey, her husband Alec, and their kids Reagan and Walker… all to celebrate his coronation as the next King Bee.
To the VanderLey family, thank you for supporting your husband, dad, and son as he takes on this important job.
Dean is a hard-charger with a level head. Those who have had the pleasure of serving with him highlight his indomitable work ethic and selfless dedication to the mission and his team.
His wife Ashley says, “he has a servant’s heart, an engineer’s detail-oriented eye, and a Naval Officer’s mindset – he is even-keeled no matter the times or tides.”
Dean transforms organizations. His dynamic leadership as Commander NAVFAC Pacific helped strengthen the entire NAVFAC enterprise.
So Dean, we are thrilled to see you carry on John’s momentum in strengthening America’s naval power.
I know that, like John, you are a servant leader – putting the needs of our Sailors and their families above all else.
I am excited to see what new heights you will take NAVFAC and the CEC Community. This command is in good hands.
To all the Sailors, Civilians, and families who support the NAVFAC mission – thank you for your selfless dedication.
What you do on a daily basis matters to our Navy … and our nation.
Finally, let me close by echoing the charge I give to all those who take command. You are the example your team reflects. Remember that your integrity – and that of your command – is the foundation of your warfighting effectiveness. You have earned my full faith and confidence. Embrace and enjoy the opportunity before you. Lead with passion and conviction. Be relentless in building a culture of the highest character. And build a tough, resilient team that wins.
Thank you very much.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday
12 August 2022
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