As I near the end of my tenure, I wanted to express my gratitude for your remarkable service these past four years.

Whether it was the historic air campaign over Kosovo or the peacekeeping mission since — the air strikes of Desert Fox or the patrols of the no-fly zones over Iraq, the evacuations of Americans from West Africa or Albania, or rebuilding after floods in Central America, or fighting fires in the American West — the world is safer and our nation is more secure because of who you are and what you do.

Because you have taken care of America, we have worked to ensure America takes care of you:

With the largest increase in military pay and benefits — such as retirement — in nearly two decades;

Increasing the Basic Allowance for Housing and proposing to eliminate out-of-pocket housing expenses entirely in five years;

Lowering TRICARE costs and expanding access for you and your families; and

Increasing funding so you can stay ready today and prepare for tomorrow.

While challenges always remain, there is no doubt: You remain the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped force the world has ever known, and it has been the highest honor of my life to stand and serve with you.

God bless each and every one of you, and God bless America.