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Carter Accepts NDU Foundation Patriot Award on Behalf of DoD Personnel

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Defense Secretary Ash Carter accepted the American Patriot Award from the National Defense University Foundation last night on behalf of the men and women of the Defense Department, saying he was proud to represent “the finest fighting force the world has ever known.”

Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanks the National Defense University Foundation for recognizing the men and women of the Defense Department with the Patriot Award during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanks the National Defense University Foundation for recognizing the men and women of the Defense Department with the Patriot Award during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanks the National Defense University Foundation for recognizing the men and women of the Defense Department with the Patriot Award during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Ash Carter Receives Patriot Award
Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanks the National Defense University Foundation for recognizing the men and women of the Defense Department with the Patriot Award during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Photo By: Jim Garamone
VIRIN: 121027-D-FN740-002

The foundation presented the award at a black-tie gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here. The award recognizes all 3 million members of DoD -- military, civilians and contractors. Carter said all members of the department are helping defend the nation and make a better world.

And they are doing so at a particularly dangerous time, the secretary said. He reminded the crowd that DoD confronts five major challenges: Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and the threat of violent extremism. DoD personnel are deterring Russia, managing historic change in Asia and strengthening deterrence on the Korean peninsula. “They’re checking Iranian aggression and malign influence in the Gulf, and helping defend our friends and allies in the Middle East,” he said.

Defeating ISIL

And they are working to ensure the certain defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant wherever it rears its head, he said. He noted that Iraqi forces, with coalition support, are approaching the outskirts of Mosul.

These five challenges have to be handled at the same time, the secretary said. And, the department must be “flexible and agile” in anticipation of unforeseen threats.

All rests on the shoulders of the men and women of DoD, Carter said.

Commitment

“As secretary of defense, my first commitment is to our personnel, our men and women, uniform and civilian -- to their excellence, and to their welfare -- to making sure they’re treated with dignity and respect, and above all, making certain that when they’re sent into harm’s way, it’s done with the utmost care,” he said.

“What that means is, we’re training our force to be ready for full-spectrum combat,” Carter said. “We’re providing them the equipment and maintenance support needed to get the job done and come home safely. We’re ensuring the right mix of active, Guard, and reserve across the force. And we’re providing the compensation and benefits that our troops, military families, and DoD civilians deserve.”

More Needed

But it can’t stop there. The force is a married force and the department must consider the needs of families, and DoD must also care for the military’s wounded, ill, and injured personnel. Finally, DoD must “support the families of the fallen, whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country,” he said.

DoD has a responsibility to support service members who are transitioning to life after the military. “It also means that when our service members are not being treated fairly, and with respect, we act quickly to fix it, as we’re doing with the California National Guard bonus issue,” Carter said.

Treating all people with dignity and respect has to be the core value of the department, he said. “We have to be open to all Americans who can meet the high standards in our force, because our strength as an all-volunteer force depends on drawing from the widest possible pool of talent that can meet our standards,” he said. “That’s why we opened up all remaining combat roles to women, and we’re welcoming transgender Americans to serve openly.”

Defense Secretary Ash Carter, center, accepts the Patriot Award from National Defense University Foundation President Lawrence Rzepka and Sheila R. Ronis during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, center, accepts the Patriot Award from National Defense University Foundation President Lawrence Rzepka and Sheila R. Ronis during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, center, accepts the Patriot Award from National Defense University Foundation President Lawrence Rzepka and Sheila R. Ronis during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Ash Carter Receives Patriot Award
Defense Secretary Ash Carter, center, accepts the Patriot Award from National Defense University Foundation President Lawrence Rzepka and Sheila R. Ronis during a ceremony at the Reagan Building in Washington Oct. 27, 2016. DoD photo by Jim Garamone
Photo By: Jim Garamone
VIRIN: 161027-D-FN740-001

The Future

Defense leaders must look to the future, Carter said. Even in the midst of conflict, DoD has been laying the groundwork and charting a path for a more agile, innovative, and efficient military and Defense Department. The United States must maintain its military edge in a changing and fiercely competitive world, he said.

Staying in the lead means thinking outside the box, the defense secretary said. It means encouraging new ideas, new technologies and new ways to work together.

“That’s why we’re making increased investments in science and technology, and building new bridges to the amazing American innovative system – to stay ahead of future threats,” Carter said. “It’s why we’re also innovating operationally, making our contingency plans and operations more flexible and dynamic in every region.”

It’s the reason behind the Force of the Future the secretary has announced as it is designed to attract the best, most innovative thinkers and doers in the nation to work in national security. “As good as our technology is, it’s nothing compared to our people, and in the future we need to continue to recruit and retain the very best talent from future generations,” he said.

(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)

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