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Hagel Stresses Leadership To New Army Officers

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., May 25, 2013. Hagel told the graduates that character and courage are the fundamentals of leadership and congratulated them on their commissioning into the United States Army.

DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

Character and courage still are the “indispensible requisites of both life and leadership,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the graduates of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., during his commencement speech, May 25, 2013. Hagel noted that his time in the Army forever shaped him. “You’ve made a courageous decision to offer yourself for a very purposeful life,” he said.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

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Start/stop Specials Slideshow Memorial Day - 2013U.S. Strategic CommandDisaster Relief: Oklahoma TornadoesSexual Assault - Awareness and PreventionMilitary RiderAsian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - 20132014 Defense Budget ProposalSequestration: Across-the-Board Budget Cuts Could Threaten National SecurityTraumatic Brain InjuryDefense IntelligenceBiosurveillanceMilitary Family SupportCybersecurityDOD Science & Technology News

Featured Photos More »

  • Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaks at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., May 25, 2013. Hagel told the graduates that character and courage are the fundamentals of leadership and congratulated them on their commissioning into the United States Army. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • A father hugs his newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant son after the graduates were dismissed at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., May 25, 2013.  DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Newly commissioned second lieutenants celebrate after being dismissed at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., May 25, 2013. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke to the cadets, telling them that character and courage are the fundamentals of leadership and congratulated them on their commissioning into the Army.  DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Cadets sit with their diplomas at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. May 25, 2013. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Cadets listen to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speak at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., May 25, 2013.  DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, or The Old Guard, place American flags at every grave in Arlington National Cemetery, May 23, 2013, in remembrance of those who died in service to our country. The tradition dates back more than 60 years.  U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.
  • Hundreds of members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, or The Old Guard, placed flags at each of the more than 220,000 graves in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 23, 2013. The flags will remain through the memorial weekend. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jose A. Torres Jr.
  • To mark the start of Memorial Day weekend, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participates at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors annual Good Grief Camp in Crystal City, Va, May 24, 2013. TAPS is the 24/7 tragedy assistance resource for anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one, regardless of the relationship to the deceased or the circumstance of the death.  DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 24, 2013.  U.S. Naval Academy courtesy photo
  • President Barack Obama congratulates a new officer after delivering the commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 24, 2013.  U.S. Naval Academy courtesy photo
  • Members of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2013 celebrate graduation  with the traditional hat toss, May 24, 2013. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address.  U.S. Naval Academy courtesy photo
  • Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley smiles as Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III thanks him for his service during what Donley said would be his last scheduled press briefing as secretary, at the Pentagon, May 24, 2013. Donley announced plans to step down as the Air Force's top civilian after serving in the position for nearly five years. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
  • Sailors volunteer in support of recovery efforts in the aftermath of the devastating tornado in Moore, Okla., May 22, 2013. The sailors, assigned to Task  Force 124 at Tinker Air Force Base, man, train and equip Navy squadrons responsible for nuclear command and control communications. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chris W. Delano
  • Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Tucker, left, and his son, Air Force Senior Airman Brandon Tucker, right, begin the process of clearing out debris from the son's home in Moore, Okla., May 22, 2013. The house was severely damaged after a devastating tornado killed dozens of people in Moore, Okla., May 20, 2013.  U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Nelson
  • U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Landers, center, provides security at the conclusion of a meeting in Farah CIty, Afghanistan, May 22, 2013. Landers is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah.  U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Matthew Stroup
  • U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Luke Martin, left, and Lance Cpl. Isaac Hernandez, right, gather map data to complete a call for fire mission at the first station during a squad competition on the Kangaroo Flats Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, May 23, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Fiocco
  • A U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey helicopter lands on the runway at St. George Airport, St. George, Utah, May 19, 2013. Once landed, Marines and sailors established a forward refueling point to resupply military aircraft with necessary fuel and equipment to conduct ground realistic urban training at a forward location. This training exercise is in preparation for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit's upcoming WESTPAC 13-2 deployment.  U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer Pirante
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