I want to congratulate General Mark Milley, Admiral John Richardson, and Lieutenant General Robert Neller on their respective confirmations to be chief of staff of the Army, chief of Naval Operations, and commandant of the Marine Corps. Each is a proven leader with decades of operational experience. Our nation is stronger for their service, and the president and I will continue to benefit from their extensive expertise and strategic counsel in their new roles.
Today, on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, I also want thank General Ray Odierno and Admiral Jonathan Greenert, and their families, for their decades of service and commitment to defending our country. And I want to thank General Joe Dunford, and his family, for his leadership as commandant, and his commitment to continue his service in his next role as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.