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Good morning, everyone! It is wonderful to be here with you to celebrate this momentous occasion for our soon-to-be graduates and their families.
First off, I would like to thank a few people who have joined us this morning.
Secretary Austin—I am grateful that you agreed to join us here in Annapolis to see what you missed during your time at West Point. Something tells me that the night life of the Hudson Valley doesn’t compare to that of downtown Annapolis.
Sir, we are very proud of the over one thousand new Ensigns and Second Lieutenants you see before you, and who will be under your charge as you lead our Department of Defense.
We have no doubt you will find these officers ready and eager to address the challenges that lay ahead for our Nation.
Admiral Gilday, General Berger—I know today is bittersweet for both of you as you commission your last class from Annapolis before retiring. For almost 80 years of combined service, you have stood the watch, leading Sailors and Marines at every level of command around the globe.
I have appreciated your counsel during my tenure, and even more than that, your partnership. As you head off on your next journey, please know that the Navy and Marine Corps you leave behind are stronger thanks to you, and that includes these young officers who will carry forward your legacy of service.
Now, to the parents and families of the graduating class— whether you are in this stadium, attending virtually, or with us in spirit—thank you for supporting these men and women throughout their Academy journey.
I remember as if it were yesterday the pride on my parents’ faces when I graduated from this institution as a member of the Great Class of 1983.
I will always be grateful to them for the risks they took in coming to this country as Cuban refugees in 1961, and for how hard they worked throughout my childhood to give me the best upbringing and education they could.
So I am well aware of the sacrifices you have made for your midshipmen through the years.
They would not be who they are today without your love and support. Thank you for everything you have done to raise these amazing young people. Allow me to say: you’ve done an outstanding job!
And now, I want to address our Ensigns and Second Lieutenants.
Forty years ago—though they passed in the blink of an eye—Vice Admiral Buck and I were sitting right where you are, listening to the 65th Secretary of the Navy, John Lehman, talking to us about the challenges we would soon face.
At the time, the United States Navy and Marine Corps were focused on maintaining an uneasy peace around the globe, ensuring the freedom of the seas in the face of the enduring threat posed by the Soviet Union.
Today, you, your Sailors, and your Marines will face challenges in every domain you operate in, from the seabed to the stars, as well as in cyberspace.
Nations like Iran and North Korea are destabilizing forces in their respective regions, while Russia continues its unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, violating their territorial and national sovereignty.
In the Indo-Pacific, we are observing the rapid buildup of the People’s Republic of China’s navy as they look to intimidate and coerce their regional neighbors to gain acceptance of their excessive maritime claims.
It is clear that these nations are trying to upend the rules-based international order that, since World War II, has brought peace, stability, and economic opportunity to billions of people around the globe.
You will face great challenges, and you will do so in a rapidly changing environment.
I can think of no greater responsibility—and no greater honor—than to be entrusted with leading our Sailors and Marines.
You will be asked to make the hard decisions, decisions that will have real impacts on the lives of those under your charge.
But make no mistake: you are ready for what lies ahead. The lessons you learned in Luce Hall and throughout the Yard will serve you well, providing a foundation from which to act with honor and integrity when these situations arise.
Strong moral leadership will be required of each of you as you strengthen your own teams, whether it be your division underway onboard a ship, or your platoon deployed to a far-off land.
By doing what you know is right, by leading by example, you will succeed, and your teams will succeed.
Remember what you have learned here. Remember our core values. And always, always, treat every member of your team with dignity and respect.
Now, I cannot tell you what the future holds for you in your naval careers.
In 1983, I could never have predicted that I would be the first Commanding Officer of USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), let alone the 78th Secretary of the Navy.
Nor would I have ever guessed that I would be sharing this stage with my classmate—your Superintendent—as we welcome you into our ranks.
Vice Admiral Buck, I cannot thank you and Joanne enough for your service to our Nation. For decades you have both served as a Navy family, supporting not only each other, but our Sailors at every level, from the squadron to Fourth Fleet, and now at the Naval Academy.
What you have done for our Navy, Marine Corps, and our Nation as you shaped the future leaders of our Naval services cannot be overstated, and it has been a true honor to serve alongside you once again.
These new officers before us this morning are prepared to lead thanks to your efforts.
As I close my remarks, I will leave you all with this final thought.
Every day you spend as commissioned officers, remember that our Nation needs you to live up to the oath you took here, today, before your families and your friends, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.
“Not for Self, but for Country”—these words are now engraved on your hearts, just as they were for every generation of graduates before you, and as they will be for all those who will follow in your footsteps.
With that, my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2023. It is an honor to welcome you into our Fleet and our Force.
May God bless you, your Sailors, your Marines, and your families.
Carlos Del Toro
26 May 2023
19 June 2023
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