WEBVTT

00:00.576 --> 00:03.388
- [Evangeline] Ladies and
gentlemen, distinguished guests,

00:03.388 --> 00:07.231
family and friends, My name
is Colonel Evangeline Rosel,

00:07.231 --> 00:10.727
and I will be your narrator for
today's retirement ceremony.

00:10.727 --> 00:13.444
Today we celebrate the
career and accomplishments

00:13.444 --> 00:17.320
of General Joseph L
Votel, United States Army.

00:17.320 --> 00:19.652
A retirement ceremony
is intended to convey

00:19.652 --> 00:22.246
a grateful nation's sincere expression

00:22.246 --> 00:25.157
of appreciation for a job well done,

00:25.157 --> 00:27.815
and to officially recognize General Votel

00:27.815 --> 00:30.758
and his family for their 39 years

00:30.758 --> 00:33.960
of faithful and honorable
service to our nation.

00:33.960 --> 00:36.877
Ladies and gentlemen,
please stand for the arrival

00:36.877 --> 00:38.604
of the official party.

00:38.604 --> 00:40.457
Please remain standing for the singing

00:40.457 --> 00:43.298
of our national anthem
by Mr. Ryan McArdle,

00:43.298 --> 00:46.661
followed by the invocation
by our Command Chaplain,

00:46.661 --> 00:48.578
colonel Eric Albertson.

00:52.012 --> 00:54.929
(horn music plays)

01:36.378 --> 01:41.378
♪ Oh say can you see by
the dawn's early light ♪

01:46.893 --> 01:51.893
♪ What so proudly we hailed at
the twilight's last gleaming ♪

01:57.995 --> 02:02.995
♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪

02:03.266 --> 02:08.266
♪ Through the perilous fight ♪

02:09.191 --> 02:14.191
♪ O'er the ramparts we watched ♪

02:14.333 --> 02:19.333
♪ Were so gallantly streaming ♪

02:21.068 --> 02:25.978
♪ And the rocket's red glare ♪

02:25.978 --> 02:30.729
♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪

02:30.729 --> 02:35.552
♪ Gave proof through the night ♪

02:35.552 --> 02:40.450
♪ That our flag was still there ♪

02:40.450 --> 02:45.450
♪ Oh say does that star
spangled banner yet wave ♪

02:51.970 --> 02:56.970
♪ O'er the land of the free ♪

02:57.757 --> 03:01.424
♪ And the home of the brave ♪

03:05.824 --> 03:08.074
(applause)

03:16.317 --> 03:18.472
- [Eric] Let us pray.

03:18.472 --> 03:19.779
Almighty God, we ask your blessing

03:19.779 --> 03:22.148
upon our retirement ceremony today

03:22.148 --> 03:24.450
that honors our friend, fellow warrior,

03:24.450 --> 03:27.979
and commander, General Joseph Votel,

03:27.979 --> 03:30.050
as we take a brief moment in time

03:30.050 --> 03:32.762
to acknowledge his years
of selfless dedication

03:32.762 --> 03:36.901
to the United States military
and the nation it defends.

03:36.901 --> 03:38.890
And to simply express our gratitude

03:38.890 --> 03:43.361
for his generous gift of
life, service, and love

03:43.361 --> 03:46.823
for the troops and
civilians he has commanded.

03:46.823 --> 03:50.203
His relentless commitment to
the demanding CENTCOM mission,

03:50.203 --> 03:52.125
as well as his remarkable leadership

03:52.125 --> 03:53.928
in multiple challenging assignments

03:53.928 --> 03:57.277
throughout his 39 years
of distinguished service

03:57.277 --> 04:00.413
firmly established a legacy of success,

04:00.413 --> 04:03.231
inspiring countless future leaders,

04:03.231 --> 04:05.823
dramatically influencing their careers

04:05.823 --> 04:08.573
in a powerful way, and setting the stage

04:08.573 --> 04:13.221
for future success long after
his departure from service.

04:13.221 --> 04:16.894
We also ask your special
blessing upon his family.

04:16.894 --> 04:18.731
Especially his wife Michelle,

04:18.731 --> 04:21.520
for they have generously
supported his many years

04:21.520 --> 04:24.487
of service with their own sacrifices,

04:24.487 --> 04:28.263
but most importantly with
their love and understanding.

04:28.263 --> 04:31.467
May your grace, which has
been present and evident

04:31.467 --> 04:34.506
throughout his life, also
bring him peace and joy

04:34.506 --> 04:37.477
in retirement, knowing
that his devotion to duty

04:37.477 --> 04:40.649
will forever be appreciated
by a grateful nation,

04:40.649 --> 04:43.813
by the entire CENTCOM
community here in Tampa,

04:43.813 --> 04:46.657
and by the many countries
who have benefited

04:46.657 --> 04:48.546
from his commitment to regional stability

04:48.546 --> 04:51.465
and the perpetual defense of freedom.

04:51.465 --> 04:54.132
In your holy name we pray, amen.

04:58.758 --> 05:01.092
- [Evangeline] Thank you Mr.
McArdle and Chaplain Albertson.

05:01.092 --> 05:04.342
Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.

05:05.931 --> 05:08.573
Today, we are all part
of history as we witness

05:08.573 --> 05:11.529
the retirement ceremony
honoring general Joseph Votel

05:11.529 --> 05:14.441
for his remarkable time in the service.

05:14.441 --> 05:16.797
We are extremely honored
to have joining us

05:16.797 --> 05:20.200
for today's ceremony the
honorable Patrick M. Shanahan,

05:20.200 --> 05:22.055
Acting Secretary of Defense.

05:22.055 --> 05:25.468
General Joseph F. Dunford, jr., Chairman

05:25.468 --> 05:27.301
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

05:27.301 --> 05:30.337
General Mark A Milley,
Chief of Staff of the Army

05:30.337 --> 05:33.405
and presiding official
for today's ceremony.

05:33.405 --> 05:35.352
Additionally, we would like to welcome

05:35.352 --> 05:37.844
our distinguished guests, representatives

05:37.844 --> 05:39.844
of the many nations with whom we are proud

05:39.844 --> 05:43.513
to partner with in the
Levant, Arabian Peninsula,

05:43.513 --> 05:45.337
and Central and South Asia,

05:45.337 --> 05:47.583
as well as members of the diplomatic core

05:47.583 --> 05:50.817
inter-agency and senior
leaders of the federal,

05:50.817 --> 05:53.278
military, and civilian communities.

05:53.278 --> 05:55.234
And let us not forget to welcome

05:55.234 --> 05:57.834
our central command families who truly

05:57.834 --> 06:00.038
carry the heaviest load and enable us

06:00.038 --> 06:02.195
to do the important work that we do.

06:02.195 --> 06:04.661
We would like to welcome all the guests

06:04.661 --> 06:06.337
who have traveled great lengths

06:06.337 --> 06:08.604
to be part of this momentous occasion.

06:08.604 --> 06:12.758
To include the members of
the USMA class of 1980.

06:12.758 --> 06:13.822
Go Army.

06:13.822 --> 06:16.072
(applause)

06:19.781 --> 06:22.303
And our warmest welcome
to Mrs. Michelle Votel,

06:22.303 --> 06:26.018
and General and Mrs. Votel's
two sons, Nicholas and Scott,

06:26.018 --> 06:30.101
his wife Mora, and their
granddaughter, Penelope.

06:37.053 --> 06:39.893
It is my honor to introduce
the presiding official

06:39.893 --> 06:42.445
for General Votel's retirement ceremony.

06:42.445 --> 06:45.156
The Chief of Staff of
the United States Army,

06:45.156 --> 06:47.336
General Mark A. Milley.

06:47.336 --> 06:49.586
(applause)

06:53.299 --> 06:55.648
- Well thank you everyone for being here,

06:55.648 --> 06:57.956
this is quite a day, and
as I got off the plane

06:57.956 --> 07:01.623
there at Macdill, I get
met by Eric Carillo.

07:03.014 --> 07:04.452
A force of nature in his own right,

07:04.452 --> 07:06.791
and he says, sir, we're
looking forward to this,

07:06.791 --> 07:08.810
this is gonna be epic.

07:08.810 --> 07:10.733
Get the 40 years off your chest

07:10.733 --> 07:13.812
when you get that microphone.

07:13.812 --> 07:15.052
And my wife said, don't do that,

07:15.052 --> 07:18.134
there's gonna be 750 to
a thousand people there.

07:18.134 --> 07:20.198
There'll be cameras, and in
DC they call that evidence,

07:20.198 --> 07:21.365
so be careful.

07:22.914 --> 07:25.830
So Joe, most of what I say will be true,

07:25.830 --> 07:28.747
some of which perhaps may not be,

07:28.747 --> 07:30.902
so just deal with it there, Ranger.

07:30.902 --> 07:33.839
And of course today, we all know

07:33.839 --> 07:36.125
that Rangers lead the way.

07:36.125 --> 07:38.958
But Special Forces taught 'em how.

07:39.902 --> 07:42.152
(laughter)

07:43.895 --> 07:48.829
That's the makeup for my Brown
Beret, Green Beret thing.

07:48.829 --> 07:50.959
Good afternoon and welcome to everyone.

07:50.959 --> 07:55.852
We're here to honor Joe and
Michelle, and Scott and Nick.

07:55.852 --> 07:59.705
And really, the extended
Votel family today.

07:59.705 --> 08:01.689
For an incredible run of four decades

08:01.689 --> 08:03.988
of consecutive service.

08:03.988 --> 08:06.039
If you add Westpoint in there,

08:06.039 --> 08:08.503
it's really 43 years
of consecutive service.

08:08.503 --> 08:12.249
And we do have an honored
crowd from the class of 1980,

08:12.249 --> 08:13.999
pride and excellence.

08:15.060 --> 08:19.379
That's my class, I was in
I3, I was in the same squad.

08:19.379 --> 08:21.175
I was there.

08:21.175 --> 08:23.115
I was actually made an honorary member

08:23.115 --> 08:25.421
and Votel said you half to
walk an hour on the area.

08:25.421 --> 08:26.588
So I did that.

08:27.823 --> 08:29.614
And with the powers
invested in me as Chief,

08:29.614 --> 08:30.875
I gave myself amnesty, so Joe,

08:30.875 --> 08:33.449
a cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal,

08:33.449 --> 08:34.464
I have to confess to that,

08:34.464 --> 08:36.182
but it's a great day, and I wanted

08:36.182 --> 08:38.664
to also acknowledge, we have a huge amount

08:38.664 --> 08:42.679
of dignitaries here, and
Acting Secretary Shanahan,

08:42.679 --> 08:44.089
thank you so much for being here.

08:44.089 --> 08:46.760
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff, Joe Dunford,

08:46.760 --> 08:48.025
and his great wife Ellen.

08:48.025 --> 08:51.246
There's lots of four-stars
here, lots of current

08:51.246 --> 08:53.496
and former combatant
commanders, lots of ambassadors,

08:53.496 --> 08:56.138
lots of sergeant majors
and general officers,

08:56.138 --> 08:58.144
thank you all for being here.

08:58.144 --> 09:00.535
And really, I think it's
important, I suppose,

09:00.535 --> 09:03.987
to acknowledge some people
who put this together.

09:03.987 --> 09:06.749
Joe is gonna do that, but one group

09:06.749 --> 09:09.550
that I want to acknowledge
are the gold star families

09:09.550 --> 09:13.689
that are here, and if you
could rise to be recognized,

09:13.689 --> 09:15.388
thank you so much for being here.

09:15.388 --> 09:17.638
(applause)

09:45.708 --> 09:49.355
and of course we want
to welcome Joe's family.

09:49.355 --> 09:52.361
He's been an exceptional
soldier for many, many years,

09:52.361 --> 09:55.514
and yes, some of it is his responsibility,

09:55.514 --> 09:59.706
but in fact, he like all of us,
are product of other people.

09:59.706 --> 10:02.137
We all rise to these ranks
on the shoulders of heroes,

10:02.137 --> 10:05.270
non-commission officers,
soldiers, but also,

10:05.270 --> 10:10.020
on our family's shoulders,
and Joe Votel is no different.

10:11.408 --> 10:15.050
He is one of nine children,
the youngest of six brothers.

10:15.050 --> 10:18.669
And three girls who grew
up in the twin cities

10:18.669 --> 10:20.070
of St. Paul, Minnesota.

10:20.070 --> 10:22.497
In fact, Joe is the only guy
that I know from Minnesota

10:22.497 --> 10:25.580
that doesn't know how to play hockey.

10:27.103 --> 10:29.251
And most of his brothers
and sisters are here,

10:29.251 --> 10:32.327
in fact, almost all of
Minnesota is in here today,

10:32.327 --> 10:33.577
so that's good.

10:34.728 --> 10:36.864
Joe's mother and father
unfortunately passed away,

10:36.864 --> 10:39.072
and they couldn't be
with us here, but they

10:39.072 --> 10:41.379
are definitely here in spirit,

10:41.379 --> 10:43.342
and I know, Joe, that
they are very, very proud

10:43.342 --> 10:45.264
of you and all that you've done.

10:45.264 --> 10:47.010
They were incredible role models

10:47.010 --> 10:48.398
for the entire family.

10:48.398 --> 10:52.196
They instilled Joe with a
sense of duty and service,

10:52.196 --> 10:54.895
and serving a cause greater than himself,

10:54.895 --> 10:57.736
and Joe, everyone here
knows that your parents

10:57.736 --> 11:00.418
are with you today and they
are here to honor your service,

11:00.418 --> 11:03.147
and we thank them for giving us you.

11:03.147 --> 11:05.397
(applause)

11:11.640 --> 11:16.379
And of course Joe, 39 years
ago will be the anniversary

11:16.379 --> 11:20.210
for Joe and Michelle, and
we need to thank Michelle,

11:20.210 --> 11:23.986
because our spouses, as
much as more than us,

11:23.986 --> 11:26.464
sacrifice over the years
to support our service

11:26.464 --> 11:29.080
in uniform, and Michelle and
Joe have been married now

11:29.080 --> 11:31.835
for almost four decades,
and they have an anniversary

11:31.835 --> 11:34.476
as I mentioned coming up next month.

11:34.476 --> 11:36.280
And it's interesting,
because it's not exactly

11:36.280 --> 11:40.364
the marriage made in heaven
is how they met sort of thing.

11:40.364 --> 11:44.197
In fact, Michelle had
her eyes on another guy.

11:46.427 --> 11:48.677
Joe was the alternate pick.

11:49.756 --> 11:52.634
Actually, he was number three.

11:52.634 --> 11:54.992
He was number three on
the OML, this is true.

11:54.992 --> 11:56.708
I swear to God, this is true.

11:56.708 --> 11:59.838
So he was number 3 on the OML, and Joe,

11:59.838 --> 12:03.323
ever the tactician, he
decided to jump on it,

12:03.323 --> 12:06.177
swooped in, saw the opening,
seized the objective.

12:06.177 --> 12:08.949
He did it with violence and all of that,

12:08.949 --> 12:10.782
and he went to the dance with Michelle.

12:10.782 --> 12:12.923
And after that, 39 years
later, here we are.

12:12.923 --> 12:14.777
What a story.

12:14.777 --> 12:18.886
And thank you Michelle
for sharing that with me.

12:18.886 --> 12:20.374
I'm sorry, I wasn't...

12:20.374 --> 12:22.624
(applause)

12:24.087 --> 12:25.440
Shame on me.

12:25.440 --> 12:27.364
I'm not supposed to
acknowledge sources, I know.

12:27.364 --> 12:31.070
I'm in a group of former
CIA people, Special Forces,

12:31.070 --> 12:32.854
can't acknowledge sources,
I'm sorry Michelle.

12:32.854 --> 12:33.687
I'm sorry.

12:35.648 --> 12:37.695
But Michelle is a woman of many talents.

12:37.695 --> 12:39.261
And she's done tremendous selfless work

12:39.261 --> 12:42.212
at every duty station she has ever served

12:42.212 --> 12:46.295
for 38 years by Joe's side, almost 39 now.

12:46.295 --> 12:49.785
They've made 24 PCS moves over the years,

12:49.785 --> 12:52.027
and she's dealt with the deployments,

12:52.027 --> 12:54.035
the training, the combat,
and all the other challenges

12:54.035 --> 12:56.321
that come with military life.

12:56.321 --> 12:58.334
She's been a devoted volunteer,

12:58.334 --> 13:00.857
not only of Army
organizations, but since 2008,

13:00.857 --> 13:03.194
she's been a passionate supporter

13:03.194 --> 13:05.623
of the National Marrow Donor Program,

13:05.623 --> 13:08.164
a nonprofit organization
focusing on research

13:08.164 --> 13:12.121
and treatment of life threatening
illnesses like leukemia.

13:12.121 --> 13:14.209
She's also been an
Arlington lady since 2004,

13:14.209 --> 13:18.241
honoring our fallen at
our national cemetery

13:18.241 --> 13:20.057
in that solemn ground.

13:20.057 --> 13:21.824
She's been a little league
coach, a soccer coach,

13:21.824 --> 13:24.001
a cub scout leader, and above all,

13:24.001 --> 13:27.044
a tremendous mother of two wonderful sons.

13:27.044 --> 13:29.680
Michelle, thank you on
behalf of all of us here

13:29.680 --> 13:31.613
and those that couldn't make it here,

13:31.613 --> 13:33.683
thank you for your service,
thank you for supporting Joe

13:33.683 --> 13:35.063
for all of these years, we love you,

13:35.063 --> 13:37.157
and thank you so much.

13:37.157 --> 13:39.407
(applause)

13:59.706 --> 14:01.920
And of course, as mentioned early on,

14:01.920 --> 14:04.220
Scott and Nick are here.

14:04.220 --> 14:08.503
Joe and Michelle's two sons,
and we welcome both of you.

14:08.503 --> 14:11.419
We know that you are
proud of your mom and dad,

14:11.419 --> 14:13.558
and we're all glad that you
could make it here today.

14:13.558 --> 14:15.451
Scott is an english professor,

14:15.451 --> 14:17.431
he teaches up at Suffolk University

14:17.431 --> 14:20.264
in the Holy Land of Massachusetts.

14:21.407 --> 14:22.739
And Nick is a professional chef

14:22.739 --> 14:25.329
and is studying to get his business degree

14:25.329 --> 14:27.706
at UNC Wilmington, and he plans very soon

14:27.706 --> 14:30.497
to open up a food and
restaurant logistics business

14:30.497 --> 14:32.189
in the coming months.

14:32.189 --> 14:34.689
You know our children,
all of us in uniform,

14:34.689 --> 14:36.955
regardless of rank,
our children go through

14:36.955 --> 14:39.351
tremendous hardship so that we can serve,

14:39.351 --> 14:41.605
and we absolutely couldn't do what we do

14:41.605 --> 14:45.111
without your unconditional
love and your support.

14:45.111 --> 14:47.524
And I know that your mom and
dad, and especially your dad,

14:47.524 --> 14:49.845
appreciates all the
sacrifice that you've done

14:49.845 --> 14:51.749
over the years, and all that you've done

14:51.749 --> 14:53.117
to support him, so thanks to both of you

14:53.117 --> 14:55.098
for being two great sons.

14:55.098 --> 14:57.348
(applause)

15:12.324 --> 15:16.407
So back to Corilla, Joe
I have had an opportunity

15:19.356 --> 15:21.586
over the last several weeks
in doing deep research

15:21.586 --> 15:24.337
on your background, and
I've had an opportunity

15:24.337 --> 15:26.682
to speak to probably pretty
much everyone in this room.

15:26.682 --> 15:30.370
And this one guy in the room
actually went to grade school

15:30.370 --> 15:33.180
with you, and then high school,

15:33.180 --> 15:35.065
and I can't divulge the
nature of the source,

15:35.065 --> 15:37.459
but he asked me to
mention some high school

15:37.459 --> 15:39.638
party at some church that you went to.

15:39.638 --> 15:41.601
And then he said full stop.

15:41.601 --> 15:43.779
So I will go full stop.

15:43.779 --> 15:47.868
And I know that the class of 1980 is here,

15:47.868 --> 15:50.004
and Joe and I of course were
in I3, first squad I think,

15:50.004 --> 15:51.004
as I recall.

15:52.093 --> 15:55.907
And Joe and I, we weren't roommates,

15:55.907 --> 15:58.590
we were in the same hall, and
got in trouble a little bit.

15:58.590 --> 16:00.928
And I always remember
that one of the things,

16:00.928 --> 16:03.069
this is kind of weird,
but one of the things

16:03.069 --> 16:06.819
that Joe really liked
was that old YMCA song.

16:08.955 --> 16:09.788
I'm sorry.

16:10.680 --> 16:13.795
Actually, Thomas gave me that one.

16:13.795 --> 16:15.327
I didn't make that up.

16:15.327 --> 16:18.942
And as you recall, Joe and I
went to Ranger school together

16:18.942 --> 16:22.237
back in the day, and Joe
of course, Mr. Ranger,

16:22.237 --> 16:24.248
75th Ranger, 175 Ranger Regiment,

16:24.248 --> 16:26.930
puts his knees in the
breeze over Afghanistan

16:26.930 --> 16:28.498
right at the beginning, all
that kind of stuff, right?

16:28.498 --> 16:30.746
So Joe is like a consummate Ranger.

16:30.746 --> 16:34.562
And there he is in
Dahlonegah, and Tony Thomas

16:34.562 --> 16:36.798
is carrying his ruck up the mountain.

16:36.798 --> 16:39.128
(laughter)

16:39.128 --> 16:42.545
And I was carrying his radio, by the way.

16:43.781 --> 16:44.699
It's true.

16:44.699 --> 16:45.926
I swear to God.

16:45.926 --> 16:48.603
And then I had an opportunity to watch Joe

16:48.603 --> 16:53.191
as we switched out DCD jobs
in Afghanistan one time.

16:53.191 --> 16:56.088
And Joe is very, very health conscious.

16:56.088 --> 16:58.013
I mean, he is like a machine, right?

16:58.013 --> 16:59.930
And Joe had 12 peanuts.

17:01.343 --> 17:04.855
12, it wasn't 11, it wasn't 13, it was 12.

17:04.855 --> 17:06.530
And I looked at Joe, and my eyes are big,

17:06.530 --> 17:08.295
and I'm like Joe, what's up man?

17:08.295 --> 17:09.893
He had them all lined up and
stuff like that, 12 peanuts.

17:09.893 --> 17:12.705
Joe is the total machine, in fact,

17:12.705 --> 17:15.672
when he's at home,
according to his two sons

17:15.672 --> 17:18.493
as alternate sources, I won't
tell which one said this,

17:18.493 --> 17:22.689
but Joe goes around and calls
himself the total system.

17:22.689 --> 17:24.939
(laughter)

17:29.954 --> 17:30.787
I'm sorry.

17:32.215 --> 17:34.338
I don't mean to be doing this.

17:34.338 --> 17:37.338
Someone wrote it and I just read it.

17:39.961 --> 17:42.558
So then I had the opportunity
to be an observer controller

17:42.558 --> 17:45.369
for Joe when Joe committed
175 at Joint Readiness

17:45.369 --> 17:46.702
Training Center.

17:47.547 --> 17:49.628
Paul LaCamera, the current
commander of 18th Airborne Corps

17:49.628 --> 17:51.896
was S3, and of course Stanley McChrystal,

17:51.896 --> 17:54.005
who's not here today, but he
sends his best, by the way.

17:54.005 --> 17:56.928
He was the regimental commander.

17:56.928 --> 17:59.009
And Stan McChrystal had this thing,

17:59.009 --> 18:00.770
they were introducing a
new little computer system,

18:00.770 --> 18:01.922
you probably remember this.

18:01.922 --> 18:03.520
It was a new little computer system,

18:03.520 --> 18:05.595
and Stan McChrystal wanted to make sure

18:05.595 --> 18:07.573
that you were using your computer system.

18:07.573 --> 18:11.015
So he had some kind of weird
way to monitor your use.

18:11.015 --> 18:13.225
And of course Joe had Specialist Jones

18:13.225 --> 18:17.859
take a mouse and move it
every once in a while.

18:17.859 --> 18:21.692
These are things only
an OC would know, right?

18:23.360 --> 18:26.982
Look, in all seriousness,
Joe Votel, is in my view,

18:26.982 --> 18:29.398
and I've known him now
for four decades as well.

18:29.398 --> 18:31.998
And I know it's the same
for everyone in this room.

18:31.998 --> 18:34.459
Joe Votel is a consummate professional.

18:34.459 --> 18:37.191
He is the single most competent officer

18:37.191 --> 18:40.037
that I've run into in
uniform over the ears.

18:40.037 --> 18:43.452
Very, very few people ever get to the rank

18:43.452 --> 18:45.850
of four star to begin with.

18:45.850 --> 18:47.591
And if you think about
it, it's the same rank

18:47.591 --> 18:50.184
that General Blackjack
Pershing had in World War I

18:50.184 --> 18:53.783
as he led the American
expeditionary forces in France.

18:53.783 --> 18:57.122
It's the same level of
rank that Eisenhower

18:57.122 --> 19:01.340
had at Normandy and beyond,
and this is a big deal.

19:01.340 --> 19:02.590
Back in 1980...

19:03.752 --> 19:05.608
(crowd hoo-ahs)

19:05.608 --> 19:07.941
Westpoint, what am I gonna do?

19:07.941 --> 19:10.091
So back in 1980.

19:10.091 --> 19:10.951
(hoo-ahs)

19:10.951 --> 19:12.788
That's good, see we
rehearsed this earlier.

19:12.788 --> 19:17.121
So back in the day, 5,688
officers were commissioned

19:18.652 --> 19:21.856
second lieutenants in the class of 1980.

19:21.856 --> 19:25.240
And all of those, six of them
became four star generals.

19:25.240 --> 19:26.877
And if you do the math, and
I didn't go to Westpoint

19:26.877 --> 19:29.561
in reality, and they
teach math at Westpoint,

19:29.561 --> 19:30.947
but if you do the math, and I went on Siri

19:30.947 --> 19:34.388
and got this, it comes
out to .0001 percent

19:34.388 --> 19:36.818
chance of becoming a four star general,

19:36.818 --> 19:38.476
and that's an actual fact.

19:38.476 --> 19:42.322
So to put that in perspective,
you're more likely

19:42.322 --> 19:45.564
to be struck by lightning twice
walking out of this building

19:45.564 --> 19:49.188
than you are to wear the
rank of a four star general.

19:49.188 --> 19:51.611
In fact, Joe, doesn't play golf.

19:51.611 --> 19:53.375
He does a lot of things,
but golf and hockey

19:53.375 --> 19:54.528
are not one of them.

19:54.528 --> 19:58.194
And you actually stand
a better chance of going

19:58.194 --> 20:01.778
to a golf course this afternoon
and watching Joe Votel

20:01.778 --> 20:05.376
hit two holes-in-one consecutively

20:05.376 --> 20:07.774
than he is to be a four star general.

20:07.774 --> 20:09.277
It's amazing.

20:09.277 --> 20:13.044
And in fact, it's about the same chance

20:13.044 --> 20:14.929
of being a four star general

20:14.929 --> 20:17.217
as it is for Joe's
vaunted Minnesota Vikings

20:17.217 --> 20:18.812
to even get close...

20:18.812 --> 20:21.062
(laughter)

20:24.828 --> 20:27.911
I mean, are they even a team anymore?

20:28.858 --> 20:30.659
It's all about the Patriots, brother.

20:30.659 --> 20:31.742
Sorry, sorry.

20:35.105 --> 20:37.480
But you may think I'm making it up,

20:37.480 --> 20:38.921
those stats are actually true,

20:38.921 --> 20:41.149
and it's very, very rare.

20:41.149 --> 20:43.115
It's very, very rare,
and how do you do it?

20:43.115 --> 20:44.928
How does a guy like Joe Votel,

20:44.928 --> 20:47.360
family of nine, twin
cities, go to Westpoint,

20:47.360 --> 20:49.897
how does he sort of
beat the odds I suppose

20:49.897 --> 20:51.751
and become a four star general?

20:51.751 --> 20:53.771
And I would argue there were two things.

20:53.771 --> 20:56.199
And I think many would agree.

20:56.199 --> 20:59.241
That it's fundamentally a
derivative of competence

20:59.241 --> 21:01.000
and character.

21:01.000 --> 21:04.140
And in Joe Votel, he
has absolutely shined.

21:04.140 --> 21:07.082
He's demonstrated his
competence over and over

21:07.082 --> 21:08.066
and over again.

21:08.066 --> 21:09.865
In fact, the first time he demonstrated

21:09.865 --> 21:11.494
his competence was many, many years ago

21:11.494 --> 21:14.411
when he applied to both the
United States Naval Academy

21:14.411 --> 21:17.635
and Westpoint, and he got into both.

21:17.635 --> 21:19.358
And we went down to Navy,

21:19.358 --> 21:22.147
and he said, and he concluded when he came

21:22.147 --> 21:24.784
out of the Naval Academy
recruiting weekend,

21:24.784 --> 21:28.442
and he said, look it, I like
the Navy, I like the Army,

21:28.442 --> 21:30.086
but the Navy's a good alternative

21:30.086 --> 21:34.008
to military service, so
I'm going to Westpoint.

21:34.008 --> 21:35.914
I know there's admirals in the room.

21:35.914 --> 21:37.805
McCraven, Olsen, I'm sorry.

21:37.805 --> 21:40.972
Samanski, you're out there, I'm sorry.

21:42.638 --> 21:46.472
As I mentioned, he
demonstrated his exceptional

21:46.472 --> 21:49.903
competence in 3ID as a young
officer, platoon leader,

21:49.903 --> 21:51.162
company commander.

21:51.162 --> 21:54.260
He goes off, he's in S3
and 175, then he commands

21:54.260 --> 21:57.227
the First Ranger Batallion,
after he takes command

21:57.227 --> 21:59.855
of triple deuce up in
10th Mountain Division.

21:59.855 --> 22:02.227
75th Ranger Regiment,
of course he's the first

22:02.227 --> 22:06.298
guy out the door shortly after
9/11 going into Afghanistan.

22:06.298 --> 22:09.915
He commanded JIDO, many
people may not realize that.

22:09.915 --> 22:13.103
The joint IED task force of
the Department of Defense.

22:13.103 --> 22:16.142
DCG of the 82nd, DCG of JSOC,
Chief of Staff of SOCOM,

22:16.142 --> 22:20.787
Commander of JSOC and did all
kinds of wonderful things.

22:20.787 --> 22:24.621
Commander of SOCOM, and now
of course most recently,

22:24.621 --> 22:27.370
and about to give up
command, of Central Command.

22:27.370 --> 22:30.033
You just don't do that litany of jobs.

22:30.033 --> 22:33.938
You just don't do that unless
you are highly competent

22:33.938 --> 22:37.181
and highly competitive, and
have exceptional character.

22:37.181 --> 22:40.691
In fact, at CENTCOM, since March of '16,

22:40.691 --> 22:43.800
Joe's had an impact that
very few will ever have

22:43.800 --> 22:46.108
in the national security
of the United States.

22:46.108 --> 22:49.597
Under his command, Central
Command led the 79 member

22:49.597 --> 22:53.757
coalition to defeat
ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

22:53.757 --> 22:57.209
To Territorially take
away their Caliphate.

22:57.209 --> 22:59.438
Supporting air strikes
against terrorist cells

22:59.438 --> 23:04.381
in Yemen and leading a 41
nation mission in Afghanistan

23:04.381 --> 23:07.701
promoting the security
in that troubled country.

23:07.701 --> 23:09.727
And then of course, maritime operations

23:09.727 --> 23:11.898
throughout the region, throughout the AOR,

23:11.898 --> 23:14.778
specifically and straight
to moving elsewhere.

23:14.778 --> 23:17.778
CENTCOM has maintained
regional relationships

23:17.778 --> 23:20.210
and many of our allied
partners are here today.

23:20.210 --> 23:21.898
Like Saudia Arabia and Egypt,

23:21.898 --> 23:24.857
and in 2018 conducted the
first operational deployment

23:24.857 --> 23:27.738
of the F-35, solidifying and demonstrating

23:27.738 --> 23:31.887
US air supremacy against any
opponent in the Middle East.

23:31.887 --> 23:33.584
Joe brought knowledge, experience,

23:33.584 --> 23:36.818
he brought fresh
perspective, and genuine care

23:36.818 --> 23:40.022
for the soldiers that
very few could ever match.

23:40.022 --> 23:41.108
And he brought a steady hand

23:41.108 --> 23:43.948
to probably the world's
most complex environment.

23:43.948 --> 23:46.844
My view, for what it's
worth, I think that Joe

23:46.844 --> 23:50.010
was absolutely the right
general at the right time,

23:50.010 --> 23:52.316
and he's leaving this organization better

23:52.316 --> 23:54.064
than the way he found it.

23:54.064 --> 23:57.338
Joe's career is full of
impressive accomplishment.

23:57.338 --> 23:58.737
He served in war and peace,

23:58.737 --> 24:02.033
and no matter what the
challenge, no matter

24:02.033 --> 24:05.106
how high the mountain, no
matter how wide the river,

24:05.106 --> 24:07.506
Joe managed to cross it
in every single case,

24:07.506 --> 24:09.680
and he did it with excellence.

24:09.680 --> 24:11.981
30 months of combat time.

24:11.981 --> 24:13.369
30 months.

24:13.369 --> 24:16.403
It took 9 months from D-Day
to to the fall of Berlin.

24:16.403 --> 24:19.741
Joe Votel has spent 30 months in combat.

24:19.741 --> 24:23.658
He's commanded 180 months,
15 years of command.

24:24.731 --> 24:27.481
His competence is off the charts.

24:28.597 --> 24:31.023
But it's character, not just competence,

24:31.023 --> 24:33.565
that gives a guy like
Joe Votel the reputation

24:33.565 --> 24:36.185
that he's so dearly earned.

24:36.185 --> 24:38.169
It's the only quality, in fact,

24:38.169 --> 24:42.134
in my mind that actually got
him here, is his character.

24:42.134 --> 24:45.337
He has tremendous character,
starting with integrity.

24:45.337 --> 24:47.851
He always speaks truth to power.

24:47.851 --> 24:52.083
He cares about the soldiers,
and not about himself.

24:52.083 --> 24:53.809
He cares about his country,

24:53.809 --> 24:56.816
he cares about the opportunity
to train young leaders.

24:56.816 --> 25:01.566
He is a guy who always uses
the word we, and us, and our.

25:02.557 --> 25:06.477
And he never, ever says I, and me, unless

25:06.477 --> 25:09.070
something's gone wrong, and he's taking

25:09.070 --> 25:10.833
full responsibility.

25:10.833 --> 25:12.560
He's the honest broker.

25:12.560 --> 25:14.544
He always provides professional analysis.

25:14.544 --> 25:18.446
But above all, Joe Votel
has never forgotten

25:18.446 --> 25:19.743
where he came from.

25:19.743 --> 25:22.326
Above all, Joe Votel is humble.

25:23.182 --> 25:25.717
He's accomplished many
things in his career,

25:25.717 --> 25:27.734
and he certainly could beat
his chest, but he doesn't.

25:27.734 --> 25:30.741
He understands it's not about him.

25:30.741 --> 25:32.214
It's about the team.

25:32.214 --> 25:34.299
And that's so uncommon today.

25:34.299 --> 25:36.258
Too often we see celebrities and officials

25:36.258 --> 25:38.786
and leaders who think it's about them.

25:38.786 --> 25:41.060
They can't pass a mirror
without looking at themselves,

25:41.060 --> 25:44.678
and they don't understand the simple act

25:44.678 --> 25:46.819
of humility, and they're very guilty

25:46.819 --> 25:48.888
of what I would call hubris,

25:48.888 --> 25:51.879
the ancient crime in ancient Greece.

25:51.879 --> 25:54.310
But Joe knows the secret.

25:54.310 --> 25:58.502
He knows the secret to
destroy the disease of hubris.

25:58.502 --> 26:00.354
He knows what the antidote is.

26:00.354 --> 26:03.561
And he knows that
antidote is the simple act

26:03.561 --> 26:05.502
of daily humility.

26:05.502 --> 26:09.243
Despite his success, Joe
has always remembered

26:09.243 --> 26:13.819
the value of hard work, the
value of service to others,

26:13.819 --> 26:16.032
the value that his mother and father

26:16.032 --> 26:18.660
and his brothers and sisters
put him in an early age.

26:18.660 --> 26:21.376
He's never lost sight of
what's truly important,

26:21.376 --> 26:25.568
and he knows that from
dust to dust he came,

26:25.568 --> 26:28.360
and unto dust he shall return.

26:28.360 --> 26:31.811
He has used humility to
keep himself grounded.

26:31.811 --> 26:34.275
To train and to care for the thousands

26:34.275 --> 26:36.258
of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines

26:36.258 --> 26:37.984
who's crossed his path.

26:37.984 --> 26:41.340
So Joe, you've had a long and
incredibly successful career.

26:41.340 --> 26:43.969
You've demonstrated yourself to be a man

26:43.969 --> 26:45.984
of tremendous talent, physical courage,

26:45.984 --> 26:48.446
unwavering moral courage,
and true leadership.

26:48.446 --> 26:52.507
Through all those years
deployed, through all

26:52.507 --> 26:55.336
the PCS moves, through
39 years of training,

26:55.336 --> 26:58.878
preparing for combat,
and actually fighting

26:58.878 --> 27:01.272
in close quarters battle,
you've been an incredible

27:01.272 --> 27:03.778
true professional and warrior.

27:03.778 --> 27:06.075
And we wish, everyone here wishes,

27:06.075 --> 27:08.834
that you and Michelle will
have a happy retirement,

27:08.834 --> 27:11.007
wherever life's road takes you.

27:11.007 --> 27:13.097
We all want you to enjoy
some peace and quiet,

27:13.097 --> 27:15.542
go back to the family
and friends in Minnesota,

27:15.542 --> 27:18.498
head up to the lake, and
get over to the US stadiums,

27:18.498 --> 27:21.081
and watch the Vikings practice.

27:24.549 --> 27:26.210
I didn't write that.

27:26.210 --> 27:27.899
That was inserted.

27:27.899 --> 27:30.942
But Joe, whatever you do,
know that you've impacted

27:30.942 --> 27:33.566
all of us in this room,
and that you've impacted

27:33.566 --> 27:36.374
many, many thousands beyond this room.

27:36.374 --> 27:38.919
There are NCOs, there are officers,

27:38.919 --> 27:40.816
in all the branches of our service

27:40.816 --> 27:43.485
who look to you forever as their leader.

27:43.485 --> 27:45.014
And there's people that you shaped

27:45.014 --> 27:47.745
that will be in our
army and our joint force

27:47.745 --> 27:49.657
for many years and decades to come.

27:49.657 --> 27:53.021
Holly Anne and I, on behalf
of everyone in this room,

27:53.021 --> 27:55.129
we're honored to have served alongside

27:55.129 --> 27:57.303
both you and Michelle,
we're honored to call you

27:57.303 --> 27:58.981
our friends, and we all in this room

27:58.981 --> 28:01.539
thank you for a lifetime
of incredible service,

28:01.539 --> 28:03.386
Joe Votel, retired.

28:03.386 --> 28:05.636
(applause)

28:37.123 --> 28:39.050
- [Evangeline] Ladies and
gentlemen, please remain standing

28:39.050 --> 28:41.226
as General Milley presents General Votel

28:41.226 --> 28:43.393
with his retirement award.

28:53.789 --> 28:56.384
Attention to orders, the
defense distinguished

28:56.384 --> 28:59.744
service medal is presented
to Joseph L Votel,

28:59.744 --> 29:02.667
United States Army, who
distinguished himself

29:02.667 --> 29:04.677
by exceptionally distinguished service

29:04.677 --> 29:07.018
as commander of the United
States Central Command

29:07.018 --> 29:10.101
from 30 March 2016 to 28 March, 2019.

29:12.054 --> 29:14.668
General Votel's bold leadership

29:14.668 --> 29:17.168
and clear strategic vision guided multiple

29:17.168 --> 29:19.188
simultaneous military operations

29:19.188 --> 29:21.900
through a complex and tumultuous region

29:21.900 --> 29:25.270
vital to United States'
interest and national security.

29:25.270 --> 29:27.737
A visionary statesman in General Votel

29:27.737 --> 29:30.487
advanced a theater engagement strategy

29:30.487 --> 29:33.132
that built close rapport
amongst the central regions

29:33.132 --> 29:35.253
political and military leaders

29:35.253 --> 29:38.101
which informed the United
States foreign and military

29:38.101 --> 29:41.750
policies and unified coalition
governmental entities

29:41.750 --> 29:43.474
across 50 nations.

29:43.474 --> 29:47.351
Enhancing security for millions
of generations to come.

29:47.351 --> 29:50.192
The distinctive accomplishments
of General Votel

29:50.192 --> 29:52.950
culminate a long and distinguished career

29:52.950 --> 29:54.925
in the service of his country

29:54.925 --> 29:57.102
and reflect great credit upon himself,

29:57.102 --> 30:00.633
the United States Army, and
the Department of Defense.

30:00.633 --> 30:05.300
Signed Patrick M. Shanahan,
Acting Secretary of Defense.

30:26.630 --> 30:28.880
(applause)

30:40.242 --> 30:42.509
General Milley will now
present General Votel

30:42.509 --> 30:44.523
with his retirement certificate.

30:44.523 --> 30:45.783
Attention to orders.

30:45.783 --> 30:48.663
To all who shall see
these presents greeting,

30:48.663 --> 30:52.242
this is to certify that
General Joseph L. Votel,

30:52.242 --> 30:54.718
having served faithfully and honorably,

30:54.718 --> 30:57.037
is retired from the United States Army

30:57.037 --> 31:00.090
on the first day of May, 2019.

31:00.090 --> 31:03.853
Signed Mark A. Milley,
General, United States Army,

31:03.853 --> 31:05.103
Chief of Staff.

31:13.226 --> 31:15.476
(applause)

31:24.151 --> 31:26.895
Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.

31:26.895 --> 31:29.267
Gunnery Sergeant Williams will now escort

31:29.267 --> 31:31.267
Mrs. Votel to the stage.

31:53.740 --> 31:55.951
General Milley will now present Mrs. Votel

31:55.951 --> 31:58.013
with her award, which reads:

31:58.013 --> 32:00.527
The outstanding public service award

32:00.527 --> 32:02.793
is presented to Mrs. Michelle Votel,

32:02.793 --> 32:05.170
who distinguished herself by exceptionally

32:05.170 --> 32:07.509
distinguished public
service to the Department

32:07.509 --> 32:10.839
of Defense in a succession of
extraordinary contributions

32:10.839 --> 32:14.488
to the United States Army,
United States Central Command,

32:14.488 --> 32:17.423
their families, and the MacDill
Air Force Base community.

32:17.423 --> 32:20.673
From 30 March, 2016, to 28 March, 2019.

32:22.139 --> 32:25.145
Mrs. Votel's vision,
organizational skills,

32:25.145 --> 32:27.769
and positive relationships
with support agencies

32:27.769 --> 32:29.775
from the MacDill Air Force Base

32:29.775 --> 32:32.017
and the local community led to volunteers

32:32.017 --> 32:35.116
providing more than 2,600 hours to support

32:35.116 --> 32:38.133
educational seminars
that strengthen families'

32:38.133 --> 32:40.242
resiliency and well-being.

32:40.242 --> 32:42.314
On numerous occasions,
she was a keynote speaker

32:42.314 --> 32:45.173
at military and civilian venues,

32:45.173 --> 32:48.307
raising awareness of the
challenges facing service members

32:48.307 --> 32:49.688
and their families.

32:49.688 --> 32:52.821
Mrs. Votel exemplifies
the spirit of outstanding

32:52.821 --> 32:56.495
public service, and is a
role model for volunteerism,

32:56.495 --> 32:58.040
whose leadership inspired others

32:58.040 --> 33:00.180
to acts of community service.

33:00.180 --> 33:02.734
The distinctive
accomplishments are in keeping

33:02.734 --> 33:05.498
with the finest traditions
of public service,

33:05.498 --> 33:08.297
and reflect great credit upon herself,

33:08.297 --> 33:12.072
United States Central Command,
the United States Army,

33:12.072 --> 33:13.433
and the Joint Staff.

33:13.433 --> 33:16.362
Signed Joseph F. Dunford,
Jr., General, United States

33:16.362 --> 33:20.695
Marine Corps, Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

33:22.190 --> 33:24.440
(applause)

33:56.607 --> 33:59.359
General Milley will now present Mrs. Votel

33:59.359 --> 34:01.788
with her certificate of
appreciation, which reads:

34:01.788 --> 34:05.604
This is to certify that Michelle M. Votel,

34:05.604 --> 34:08.224
on the occasion of the
retirement of your spouse

34:08.224 --> 34:10.877
from the United States
Army, has earned grateful

34:10.877 --> 34:14.042
appreciation for your
own unselfish, faithful,

34:14.042 --> 34:15.896
and devoted service.

34:15.896 --> 34:18.610
Your unfailing support
and understanding helped

34:18.610 --> 34:21.203
to make possible your
spouse's lasting contribution

34:21.203 --> 34:22.516
to the nation.

34:22.516 --> 34:25.846
Signed Mark A. Milley,
General, United States Army,

34:25.846 --> 34:27.096
Chief of Staff.

34:28.227 --> 34:30.477
(applause)

34:55.167 --> 34:57.920
Ladies and gentlemen, it
is my honor to present

34:57.920 --> 35:02.337
General Joseph L. Votel,
United States Army, retired.

35:03.512 --> 35:05.762
(applause)

35:24.519 --> 35:26.436
- Thank you, thank you.

35:31.305 --> 35:33.304
Thanks Chief for those great comments,

35:33.304 --> 35:36.342
I'm ready to begin my rebuttal.

35:36.342 --> 35:38.737
Tony and I were actually
talking the other day,

35:38.737 --> 35:40.553
we remember that ranger school story

35:40.553 --> 35:42.769
just a little bit different.

35:42.769 --> 35:45.596
I think I was carrying
the rucksack, yours,

35:45.596 --> 35:48.816
and Tony was carrying the M60 machine gun

35:48.816 --> 35:50.540
that you were supposed to be carrying,

35:50.540 --> 35:52.936
and we both agreed that that
didn't really bother us.

35:52.936 --> 35:55.535
But what really bothered us was the crying

35:55.535 --> 35:57.118
in the patrol base.

36:06.379 --> 36:09.800
More on the Chief in a few moments here.

36:09.800 --> 36:11.504
First off, I want to
start off by acknowledging

36:11.504 --> 36:15.299
the contingent of the 82nd
Airborne Division band,

36:15.299 --> 36:20.049
All-American band here that's
with us today, thanks guys.

36:24.676 --> 36:27.375
I want to also acknowledge
our national anthem singer,

36:27.375 --> 36:30.846
NCIS special agent Ryan McArdle.

36:30.846 --> 36:32.096
Yes, very good.

36:33.262 --> 36:35.512
(applause)

36:36.714 --> 36:37.995
A little bit of a story here.

36:37.995 --> 36:40.333
Some time ago, one of our
erstwhile team members

36:40.333 --> 36:43.083
found a video on YouTube of Ryan.

36:44.001 --> 36:46.471
And it appears that he's in a band,

36:46.471 --> 36:49.218
and he's got a pretty good
voice as you can tell.

36:49.218 --> 36:52.480
So we got him singing, we researched,

36:52.480 --> 36:56.133
we found some more, so
Ryan has heard our team

36:56.133 --> 37:00.557
play his videos dozens of times
at inappropriate locations

37:00.557 --> 37:03.494
and occasions, and other things here.

37:03.494 --> 37:06.699
But I asked Ryan after I'd heard this

37:06.699 --> 37:11.199
that if he'd come and sing
at our retirement ceremony.

37:12.170 --> 37:14.960
And I think he thought
I was kidding, I wasn't.

37:14.960 --> 37:17.515
And he came, and he did a fantastic job,

37:17.515 --> 37:20.360
as you all saw with our
national anthem there.

37:20.360 --> 37:22.158
Although I do have to tell you Ryan,

37:22.158 --> 37:25.861
a part of me was secretly
hoping that you would

37:25.861 --> 37:27.715
go into your Billy Idol mode

37:27.715 --> 37:29.798
and sing Rebel Yell here.

37:30.830 --> 37:34.988
Perhaps in the time in
between here you can do that.

37:34.988 --> 37:37.957
And let me also acknowledge Father Eric.

37:37.957 --> 37:39.722
Thanks very much Father, for your always

37:39.722 --> 37:41.519
inspiring words.

37:41.519 --> 37:45.065
Chief, thanks for giving us
a Catholic Chaplain here.

37:45.065 --> 37:48.034
Michelle and I have been
lobbying for like 20 years

37:48.034 --> 37:52.068
to get one, and we really appreciate that.

37:52.068 --> 37:54.978
We appreciate the great support
from the Army here on that.

37:54.978 --> 37:56.645
So thanks very much.

37:57.857 --> 37:59.826
You should bless yourself.

37:59.826 --> 38:02.826
(laughter)

38:02.826 --> 38:05.329
So a long time ago, an NCO that I trusted

38:05.329 --> 38:07.883
provided me some advice
on public speaking.

38:07.883 --> 38:10.152
He basically said, as only an NCO can say

38:10.152 --> 38:12.048
in the very direct and unequivocal manner

38:12.048 --> 38:14.314
that we all come to expect from them.

38:14.314 --> 38:18.502
The main thing is to keep the
main thing the main thing.

38:18.502 --> 38:20.968
So the main thing today is this:

38:20.968 --> 38:24.172
that while I admit to being
a little bitter sweetness

38:24.172 --> 38:26.659
associated with ending
this part of my life,

38:26.659 --> 38:31.157
my overwhelming emotion
today is one of gratitude.

38:31.157 --> 38:33.384
I'm so thankful for having the opportunity

38:33.384 --> 38:35.906
to serve our nation for as long as I have.

38:35.906 --> 38:37.740
I'm so grateful for the people

38:37.740 --> 38:39.973
who have enabled that service.

38:39.973 --> 38:42.384
Many of those people are in this room.

38:42.384 --> 38:44.850
Others are not, due to
their continuing service,

38:44.850 --> 38:47.907
or other more important matters.

38:47.907 --> 38:50.761
Some have moved on to their final reward,

38:50.761 --> 38:54.729
and others I am certain know
nothing about this ceremony.

38:54.729 --> 38:56.782
But have been so critical and influential

38:56.782 --> 38:58.310
to my service.

38:58.310 --> 39:01.388
Thank you all for being here
for Michelle and me today.

39:01.388 --> 39:04.487
I will not try to acknowledge
every key visitor today,

39:04.487 --> 39:07.314
but I must mention a few.

39:07.314 --> 39:10.892
Mr. Secretary, thanks for
joining us this afternoon.

39:10.892 --> 39:12.706
My family appreciates you being here,

39:12.706 --> 39:16.649
but more importantly, we
appreciate the heavy load

39:16.649 --> 39:18.577
that you carry on behalf
of our nation every day,

39:18.577 --> 39:20.069
so thank you very much.

39:20.069 --> 39:22.949
Chairman, Joe Dunford, thanks
for your strong support

39:22.949 --> 39:27.123
over the last nearly five
years of combatant command,

39:27.123 --> 39:29.233
and more importantly, your friendship

39:29.233 --> 39:30.923
that has transcended that period.

39:30.923 --> 39:33.638
Our nation is so lucky to
have you in this position.

39:33.638 --> 39:37.347
Your steady, calm leadership
has helped us weather a lot.

39:37.347 --> 39:40.359
William T. Sherman, in
his letter to U.S. Grant

39:40.359 --> 39:42.346
when recalling their service together

39:42.346 --> 39:45.003
in the Western Campaign
wrote, and I quote,

39:45.003 --> 39:47.047
"When you've completed your preparations,

39:47.047 --> 39:51.174
you go into battle without
hesitation as at Chattanooga.

39:51.174 --> 39:54.730
No doubts, no reserve, and I tell you

39:54.730 --> 39:57.570
that it was this that made
us act with confidence.

39:57.570 --> 40:00.077
I knew wherever I was
that you thought of me,

40:00.077 --> 40:04.235
and if I got in a tight spot,
you would come, if alive."

40:04.235 --> 40:07.527
Chairman, thanks for being
there for me and for our nation.

40:07.527 --> 40:10.241
We owe you and Ellen a debt of gratitude.

40:10.241 --> 40:11.908
Thank you very much.

40:19.780 --> 40:22.249
Chief, thanks for officiating today.

40:22.249 --> 40:24.263
You're my first and only choice.

40:24.263 --> 40:27.091
Although you didn't really
give me much of a choice.

40:27.091 --> 40:29.864
What many of you don't know is that Chief

40:29.864 --> 40:34.214
keeps a picture of our ranger
school class in his office.

40:34.214 --> 40:37.458
And as each member of
class to anyone retires

40:37.458 --> 40:40.175
or departs service, the
chief puts a great big X

40:40.175 --> 40:41.925
right over their mug.

40:42.821 --> 40:45.640
So whenever I visit his
office, which is fairly

40:45.640 --> 40:47.883
frequently, I immediately
go check the picture

40:47.883 --> 40:51.278
to make sure that he has
not crossed me off yet.

40:51.278 --> 40:54.692
I admit though, I am a bit
sad that you will inevitably

40:54.692 --> 40:56.742
have to do this.

40:56.742 --> 40:59.297
You've been a good friend,
and a great confidante,

40:59.297 --> 41:01.231
and I will miss talking to you about our

41:01.231 --> 41:02.670
common challenges.

41:02.670 --> 41:04.592
Thanks for what you are
stepping forward to do

41:04.592 --> 41:06.089
on behalf of our nation.

41:06.089 --> 41:08.230
You are the right man,
and your experience,

41:08.230 --> 41:11.480
sure-handedness, and blunt articulation

41:12.420 --> 41:15.282
of the challenges are
exactly what we will require.

41:15.282 --> 41:16.974
Michelle and I wish you and Holly Anne

41:16.974 --> 41:19.312
godspeed in the days and years ahead.

41:19.312 --> 41:21.513
There are a number of other colleagues,

41:21.513 --> 41:24.175
uniformed and civilian,
senior and subordinate,

41:24.175 --> 41:28.342
officer and non-commissioned
officer present today

41:30.119 --> 41:32.810
who have played a leading
role in my development,

41:32.810 --> 41:35.888
and who have always been
extraordinary supporters of me.

41:35.888 --> 41:39.361
Names like Holland, Brown, Olsen, McRaven,

41:39.361 --> 41:43.028
Daley, Fridovich,
Mulholland, Hart, Ferrell,

41:44.243 --> 41:48.399
Rogers, Garrett, Plater,
Forman, James, Cook,

41:48.399 --> 41:50.579
to name but a few.

41:50.579 --> 41:52.927
To you and many others that are here

41:52.927 --> 41:55.273
and unable to attend, thank you.

41:55.273 --> 41:57.264
You have all set a great example,

41:57.264 --> 42:00.241
and I strove to emulate
your superior leadership

42:00.241 --> 42:01.712
and human attributes.

42:01.712 --> 42:04.107
Mayor Bob Buckhorn, swagger six,

42:04.107 --> 42:07.204
thanks for making Tampa
such a great place to serve.

42:07.204 --> 42:11.506
You have been magnificent
and all of us who serve

42:11.506 --> 42:13.612
in uniform owe you and your family,

42:13.612 --> 42:15.911
and indeed the broader civilian community

42:15.911 --> 42:18.674
of the Tampa Bay area a
great measure of thanks

42:18.674 --> 42:22.063
for your welcoming hospitality
and the strong support

42:22.063 --> 42:24.498
to both US and coalition
forces and families

42:24.498 --> 42:26.382
who serve in the area.

42:26.382 --> 42:28.175
Good luck with your transition.

42:28.175 --> 42:32.011
I look forward to trading
Uber tips with you.

42:32.011 --> 42:33.985
We have friends and family who have come

42:33.985 --> 42:37.116
from all over the country
to be with us today.

42:37.116 --> 42:38.469
Thanks to all of you.

42:38.469 --> 42:41.257
I would especially like
to recognize Shawn Doyle

42:41.257 --> 42:42.502
and Bill Kramer.

42:42.502 --> 42:44.840
We went to St. Matthew's
grade school together,

42:44.840 --> 42:47.354
and went on to Credence High
School together in St. Paul.

42:47.354 --> 42:50.812
And we have remained close
friends all of our lives.

42:50.812 --> 42:53.407
They know our kids, and we know theirs.

42:53.407 --> 42:54.847
They are my oldest friends.

42:54.847 --> 42:57.754
Every year, they plan and
execute the summer fishing trip

42:57.754 --> 42:59.146
to Canada.

42:59.146 --> 43:00.744
I've been invited in the past,

43:00.744 --> 43:02.488
but never had the opportunity to go.

43:02.488 --> 43:04.832
A few months ago, they
called me and invited me

43:04.832 --> 43:06.522
to this summer's addition.

43:06.522 --> 43:08.546
For the first time since I can remember,

43:08.546 --> 43:10.404
I was able to commit without even having

43:10.404 --> 43:12.229
to check a calendar.

43:12.229 --> 43:13.225
(laughter)

43:13.225 --> 43:14.911
Gentlemen, I'm looking forward to it.

43:14.911 --> 43:17.051
And I especially look forward to using my

43:17.051 --> 43:19.910
custom "Rangers lead the way" fishing pole

43:19.910 --> 43:22.433
that you have provided me,
so thank you very much.

43:22.433 --> 43:25.125
Kim and Colleen, great
to have you with us.

43:25.125 --> 43:28.517
I will take good care of
your husbands this summer.

43:28.517 --> 43:30.568
There's also a broader
contingent of St. Paul

43:30.568 --> 43:32.670
supporters that includes
high school classmates

43:32.670 --> 43:34.940
and good friends and neighbors.

43:34.940 --> 43:37.403
Thanks to all of you as well.

43:37.403 --> 43:39.522
John Traxler, thanks for being my personal

43:39.522 --> 43:41.919
public affairs officer
back there in St. Paul

43:41.919 --> 43:44.800
and keeping our broader friends informed

43:44.800 --> 43:46.729
on Michelle and me.

43:46.729 --> 43:49.091
Let me also give a big
shoutout to my Westpoint

43:49.091 --> 43:51.997
classmates, the pride and
excellence class of 1980.

43:51.997 --> 43:54.263
Thanks for being here.

43:54.263 --> 43:56.482
I really appreciate all
of you being here today.

43:56.482 --> 43:59.434
I suspect your experience
is the same as mine.

43:59.434 --> 44:03.767
Westpoint was transformative
for me in so many ways.

44:04.766 --> 44:07.368
It's hard to put into a few words

44:07.368 --> 44:10.337
what that association of
common experience means.

44:10.337 --> 44:11.977
But it's clearly
demonstrated by your presence

44:11.977 --> 44:14.368
and strong support today.

44:14.368 --> 44:16.620
As many of you know, and have now heard,

44:16.620 --> 44:19.338
at our 35th reunion, we
made the chief of staff

44:19.338 --> 44:21.085
an honorary classmate.

44:21.085 --> 44:24.103
I want to report to you, again
as you've witnessed here,

44:24.103 --> 44:26.823
that I passed him just enough information

44:26.823 --> 44:29.406
to be able to credibly fake it.

44:30.570 --> 44:32.798
Don't ask him too many questions though,

44:32.798 --> 44:35.588
or you're likely to get a
response more appropriate

44:35.588 --> 44:39.207
to somebody who went to Princeton.

44:39.207 --> 44:40.282
Which I think we all would agree

44:40.282 --> 44:44.130
was a good backup plan for Westpoint.

44:44.130 --> 44:46.020
I'd especially like to acknowledge

44:46.020 --> 44:49.292
my fellow polar bears from company I3,

44:49.292 --> 44:50.750
the Tara North area.

44:50.750 --> 44:52.350
We were fortunate enough to be together

44:52.350 --> 44:53.896
for four straight years.

44:53.896 --> 44:55.680
If you look closely at one of the pictures

44:55.680 --> 44:58.956
in today's program, it
is of us, many of us,

44:58.956 --> 45:00.654
during an alcohol fueled hayride

45:00.654 --> 45:02.441
at the Hudson Valley Winery.

45:02.441 --> 45:05.009
One of my very favorite
memories of our time together.

45:05.009 --> 45:07.848
You all know how much you
mean to Michelle and I.

45:07.848 --> 45:10.365
Thanks for being here and being with us

45:10.365 --> 45:11.920
throughout our service.

45:11.920 --> 45:13.855
Mark and Wendy Taylor,
thanks for organizing

45:13.855 --> 45:15.264
this all so well.

45:15.264 --> 45:17.353
I'm a very lucky man and I know it.

45:17.353 --> 45:20.645
For the last 39 years, I've
had the love and support

45:20.645 --> 45:23.203
of a good woman, I've been bolstered

45:23.203 --> 45:25.991
by the support of a large
and always proud family,

45:25.991 --> 45:27.936
and I've had the opportunity to serve

45:27.936 --> 45:29.966
a great nation in its time of need.

45:29.966 --> 45:32.432
And I've had the opportunity
to walk among giants.

45:32.432 --> 45:34.628
No man could have asked for more,

45:34.628 --> 45:36.590
and in the vain of keeping the main thing

45:36.590 --> 45:39.393
the main thing, I'm very grateful.

45:39.393 --> 45:41.484
My principal partner for the last 44 years

45:41.484 --> 45:44.037
has been Michelle, a
member of the proverbial

45:44.037 --> 45:45.605
two percent club.

45:45.605 --> 45:47.262
My girlfriend before Westpoint,

45:47.262 --> 45:51.345
transitioning to Fiancee
twice, and then my wife.

45:53.127 --> 45:54.790
She is the love of my life,

45:54.790 --> 45:56.531
and I readily acknowledge her

45:56.531 --> 45:59.265
as the best leader I have ever seen.

45:59.265 --> 46:01.514
The right mixture of hard and soft,

46:01.514 --> 46:04.362
able to combine empathy and motivation

46:04.362 --> 46:07.598
to not only connect in a
direct and deeply personal way,

46:07.598 --> 46:10.241
but to build resilience
in those she serves.

46:10.241 --> 46:11.974
She trusts her instincts.

46:11.974 --> 46:14.382
She uses her position
for good, and has always

46:14.382 --> 46:16.238
made it rewarding and positive for those

46:16.238 --> 46:18.255
we have served alongside.

46:18.255 --> 46:21.097
And she is taking good
care of me and our kids.

46:21.097 --> 46:23.366
In our home, we have a framed picture

46:23.366 --> 46:25.129
given to us by a dear friend that quotes

46:25.129 --> 46:28.582
chapter 31 of the Book of
Proverbs in the Hebrew Bible,

46:28.582 --> 46:30.915
describing a woman of valor.

46:32.073 --> 46:34.831
It is a perfect description of Michelle.

46:34.831 --> 46:38.323
In part, it says, a woman
of valor who can find

46:38.323 --> 46:41.834
her worth is above jewels,
the heart of her husband

46:41.834 --> 46:44.977
trusts in her, and nothing shall he lack.

46:44.977 --> 46:47.413
She renders him good and not evil.

46:47.413 --> 46:49.777
All the days of her
life, she opens her hand

46:49.777 --> 46:53.095
to the needy and extends
her hand to the poor.

46:53.095 --> 46:55.667
She is robed in strength and dignity,

46:55.667 --> 46:58.088
and cheerfully faces whatever may come.

46:58.088 --> 47:00.241
She opens her mouth with wisdom,

47:00.241 --> 47:02.668
her tongue is guided by kindness.

47:02.668 --> 47:05.044
She tends to the affairs of her household

47:05.044 --> 47:07.152
and eats not the bread of idleness.

47:07.152 --> 47:09.255
Her children come forward and bless her.

47:09.255 --> 47:11.960
Her husband too, and he praises her.

47:11.960 --> 47:15.089
Many women have done superbly,

47:15.089 --> 47:17.064
but you surpass them all.

47:17.064 --> 47:19.696
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

47:19.696 --> 47:22.668
but a god-fearing woman
is much to be praised.

47:22.668 --> 47:26.659
On Saturday evening, along
with Bill and Ally Thetford,

47:26.659 --> 47:28.295
our good friends, we went to a concert

47:28.295 --> 47:30.309
by country music artist Brad Paisley.

47:30.309 --> 47:32.110
And among his repertoire that evening

47:32.110 --> 47:34.708
he sang a very reflective song entitled

47:34.708 --> 47:36.915
Last Time for Everything.

47:36.915 --> 47:39.023
The last few weeks and months have brought

47:39.023 --> 47:43.670
many laughs for Michelle
and me, but I know this:

47:43.670 --> 47:46.439
when one thing ends, another thing starts.

47:46.439 --> 47:48.450
So Michelle, I can never repay you

47:48.450 --> 47:49.999
for all that you've done for me

47:49.999 --> 47:52.879
and for our family, but it
won't prevent me from trying.

47:52.879 --> 47:54.988
Tomorrow morning is a new start for us,

47:54.988 --> 47:56.841
and I look forward to the
next journey with you.

47:56.841 --> 47:58.093
I love you so much.

47:58.093 --> 48:00.343
(applause)

48:14.191 --> 48:16.365
Michelle and I have been
blessed with two great sons,

48:16.365 --> 48:17.678
both fiercely independent and intent

48:17.678 --> 48:19.745
on charting their own paths.

48:19.745 --> 48:23.365
For Scott and Nicholas, your
mom and I are so proud of you.

48:23.365 --> 48:25.702
Army life was hard for
you two, I know this.

48:25.702 --> 48:28.232
Once when I took Scott to Westpoint

48:28.232 --> 48:31.463
to extoll on him the virtues
of a service academy life

48:31.463 --> 48:33.966
and education, he patiently tolerated me,

48:33.966 --> 48:36.916
enduring the walking and the pointing,

48:36.916 --> 48:40.227
and at the end of the tour, I
asked him, what do you think?

48:40.227 --> 48:42.980
And he said, and I'm paraphrasing,

48:42.980 --> 48:44.909
I've been in the army
for the last 18 years,

48:44.909 --> 48:48.561
and I didn't like it all that much.

48:48.561 --> 48:50.561
Or words to that effect.

48:52.138 --> 48:53.774
Fair enough, I thought.

48:53.774 --> 48:56.052
He is now a successful college professor,

48:56.052 --> 48:58.834
a great husband, and a model dad.

48:58.834 --> 49:00.816
No father could ask for more.

49:00.816 --> 49:03.536
We are so glad to have Mora in our family.

49:03.536 --> 49:06.539
She is a wonderful woman,
a loving wife to Scott,

49:06.539 --> 49:09.906
a so-so board game
player, and a great mother

49:09.906 --> 49:12.989
to Penelope, Westpoint class of 2039.

49:15.625 --> 49:18.293
Who has quickly become the
light of all of our lives.

49:18.293 --> 49:20.747
We're glad to have Mora's mom and dad,

49:20.747 --> 49:23.188
Phil and Jo Ellen Mannox in our lives.

49:23.188 --> 49:25.253
Unfortunately, they're not here today

49:25.253 --> 49:26.930
because of a death in their family,

49:26.930 --> 49:28.871
but we're glad that Uncle John Bush

49:28.871 --> 49:33.315
is here representing the
Mannox clan, so thanks.

49:33.315 --> 49:34.882
Thanks very much them.

49:34.882 --> 49:36.628
I know Penelope had to step out,

49:36.628 --> 49:38.736
she must have had something
else going on today.

49:38.736 --> 49:42.121
But we look forward to spending
more time with her, as well.

49:42.121 --> 49:44.495
I have endless verses of Baby Shark

49:44.495 --> 49:48.936
that I've been working on to
entertain her and you with.

49:48.936 --> 49:50.595
And with this sweet
pension that I'm getting

49:50.595 --> 49:53.637
from Uncle Sam here, I
will be able to match

49:53.637 --> 49:56.637
thread for thread those Patriot rags

49:58.117 --> 50:01.683
that her parents continue to drape on her

50:01.683 --> 50:05.016
with very cool stylish vikings fan gear.

50:06.034 --> 50:08.212
I look forward to it.

50:08.212 --> 50:12.008
Nicholas was our advance
man back to St. Paul.

50:12.008 --> 50:15.881
He departed Tampa right
before New Years last year.

50:15.881 --> 50:18.022
I got a text from him
on the first of January

50:18.022 --> 50:20.435
after he arrived in St.
Paul reporting that it

50:20.435 --> 50:22.124
was one degree.

50:22.124 --> 50:25.207
Literally, that's what the text said.

50:26.218 --> 50:28.574
It isn't I've arrived
safely, the car was good,

50:28.574 --> 50:31.117
traffic was light, hope
you mom and dad are good.

50:31.117 --> 50:32.450
It's one degree.

50:34.569 --> 50:36.161
Through my decades of military experience

50:36.161 --> 50:40.401
and my finely-honed
ability to deduce and grasp

50:40.401 --> 50:44.125
the nuanced aspects of any situation,

50:44.125 --> 50:48.263
I sensed that he may have
been rethinking his decision.

50:48.263 --> 50:51.684
Hashtag what the hell
did I get myself into.

50:51.684 --> 50:53.195
After weathering the polar vortex

50:53.195 --> 50:55.230
and the toughest Minnesota
weather since 1966,

50:55.230 --> 50:58.813
on 8 March, he texted
me again that weather

50:59.967 --> 51:02.050
was above freezing today.

51:03.089 --> 51:06.008
Hashtag I might survive this.

51:06.008 --> 51:07.454
A week later, he reported the temperature

51:07.454 --> 51:09.017
hit 51 degrees.

51:09.017 --> 51:11.008
Hashtag I got this.

51:11.008 --> 51:12.379
Well done, Nick.

51:12.379 --> 51:15.545
I hope you have fun
driving the best car ever

51:15.545 --> 51:17.852
back to the great white
north this weekend.

51:17.852 --> 51:20.952
Our classic and highly
coveted Land Rover Discovery.

51:20.952 --> 51:22.741
Which many people have
tried to buy from me,

51:22.741 --> 51:24.921
but which I have refused to sell.

51:24.921 --> 51:26.990
Which you helped me pick out,

51:26.990 --> 51:28.737
and then more importantly, helped convince

51:28.737 --> 51:31.708
a reluctant mother that we
absolutely had to have it.

51:31.708 --> 51:33.846
You were the closer on
that deal, my friend.

51:33.846 --> 51:35.827
Well done, wingman.

51:35.827 --> 51:38.616
Your mom and I are so proud of all of you.

51:38.616 --> 51:40.949
Thanks for being here today.

51:48.411 --> 51:50.962
I grew up in a big family
led by Hank and Pat Votel.

51:50.962 --> 51:53.122
Now long gone, but who instilled in us

51:53.122 --> 51:56.670
a love of family, pride
in country and community,

51:56.670 --> 51:58.268
and support for each other.

51:58.268 --> 52:01.169
No one had it better
than my siblings and me.

52:01.169 --> 52:03.352
Our mom stayed home every day of her life

52:03.352 --> 52:06.257
and was a vital aspect of
every part of our lives.

52:06.257 --> 52:08.977
School, church, sports, friends,

52:08.977 --> 52:13.210
even dating, and our eventual
transition into adulthood.

52:13.210 --> 52:15.168
She took special pride in how she raised

52:15.168 --> 52:18.463
her ornery pups, as she
frequently referred to us.

52:18.463 --> 52:20.767
Other kids always came to our house

52:20.767 --> 52:23.612
because it was a fun and
welcoming place to be.

52:23.612 --> 52:25.689
Together, our parents demonstrated to us

52:25.689 --> 52:29.084
what was meant by the
phrase for better or worse.

52:29.084 --> 52:32.288
Our father, a successful but
quiet and reserved business man

52:32.288 --> 52:35.541
who worked hard all of his
life, cared for our mother

52:35.541 --> 52:38.005
and our family home for the last 15 years

52:38.005 --> 52:39.605
of her life while she suffered

52:39.605 --> 52:41.298
from the effects of Alzheimer's.

52:41.298 --> 52:43.224
For my brothers, sisters, and me,

52:43.224 --> 52:45.367
it was a lesson of a lifetime.

52:45.367 --> 52:48.528
He passed away six years
after our mother did,

52:48.528 --> 52:51.898
having lived long enough
to see me promoted

52:51.898 --> 52:53.053
to Brigadier General.

52:53.053 --> 52:54.908
Along the way, my five older brothers

52:54.908 --> 52:56.154
and my three younger sisters,

52:56.154 --> 52:59.134
a passle of nephews and
nieces, uncles and aunts,

52:59.134 --> 53:01.602
and cousins have always been there for us.

53:01.602 --> 53:04.531
Visiting where we served,
attending ceremonies

53:04.531 --> 53:06.906
for promotions, and welcoming us back home

53:06.906 --> 53:09.302
during our periodic visits to St. Paul.

53:09.302 --> 53:11.766
Michelle's mom and dad,
Dave and Jean Belair,

53:11.766 --> 53:14.066
and their big extended family,
were equally supportive

53:14.066 --> 53:18.232
and encouraged us as we
pursued our military career.

53:18.232 --> 53:21.233
In the end, it was not a
hard decision for Michelle

53:21.233 --> 53:24.677
and me to return to Minnesota
after our military service.

53:24.677 --> 53:27.763
It has hard winters, but
it also has a world class

53:27.763 --> 53:29.654
international airport
that can take us anywhere

53:29.654 --> 53:32.535
we want to go, and the
summers are to die for.

53:32.535 --> 53:35.247
And it is after all where we come from,

53:35.247 --> 53:38.579
where our roots are, and
where our people live.

53:38.579 --> 53:40.598
My military journey began in a spring day

53:40.598 --> 53:43.388
in April 1968 when my
oldest brother, Dick,

53:43.388 --> 53:46.065
living with his family
in Baltimore at the time,

53:46.065 --> 53:48.768
took my dad and mom and my sisters and me

53:48.768 --> 53:50.174
to see the naval academy.

53:50.174 --> 53:52.034
I know my classmates are
thinking what, hold on here,

53:52.034 --> 53:54.701
this is a self-correcting story.

53:55.985 --> 53:58.771
I knew instantly that
that's what I wanted to do.

53:58.771 --> 54:00.951
And after that visit I never
wanted to do anything else

54:00.951 --> 54:03.003
but be in the military.

54:03.003 --> 54:06.009
After a few twists and turns
I ended up at Westpoint.

54:06.009 --> 54:08.724
But it all started for me at Annapolis.

54:08.724 --> 54:11.099
I think it worked out best for everybody.

54:11.099 --> 54:13.907
Like my classmates I
showed up at Michie Stadium

54:13.907 --> 54:16.451
early on the morning of 7 July, 1976,

54:16.451 --> 54:18.876
having never seen Westpoint before,

54:18.876 --> 54:22.659
and after the quietest bus
ride ever from New York City.

54:22.659 --> 54:25.496
And immediately wondered
what I'd gotten myself into.

54:25.496 --> 54:28.286
My first roommates were Santiago Renden,

54:28.286 --> 54:29.871
a Columbian exchange student,

54:29.871 --> 54:32.693
a close friend to us to
this day, sitting right here

54:32.693 --> 54:35.611
in front of me, and Ed Wilhelm,

54:35.611 --> 54:38.136
who had just come from
living in Tehran, Iran,

54:38.136 --> 54:41.154
where his father served
as a US military attache.

54:41.154 --> 54:42.897
Think about that for a moment.

54:42.897 --> 54:45.009
I quickly found that there's
comfort in collective

54:45.009 --> 54:47.905
misery, and survived my
Westpoint experience,

54:47.905 --> 54:49.653
graduating in the 40th percentile,

54:49.653 --> 54:52.356
thereby reinforcing the
notion that the Army,

54:52.356 --> 54:55.856
or at least CENTCOM, is run by C students.

54:58.270 --> 54:59.582
I chose the one and only branch

54:59.582 --> 55:01.525
that I was interested in, infantry,

55:01.525 --> 55:04.119
and followed a fairly normal career path.

55:04.119 --> 55:06.798
Along the way I met many
who influenced my life.

55:06.798 --> 55:09.373
My first platoon sergeant,
Sergeant First Class

55:09.373 --> 55:11.730
Craig Gower, insisted that I demonstrated

55:11.730 --> 55:13.330
the right to be a platoon leader.

55:13.330 --> 55:16.125
After all, he reminded me,
I did have Vietnam vets

55:16.125 --> 55:17.749
in my first platoon.

55:17.749 --> 55:21.432
And when I had, he was
absolutely my greatest advocate

55:21.432 --> 55:25.208
in ensuring everyone knew that
I was now the platoon leader.

55:25.208 --> 55:28.592
Teaching me my first and
most importance lesson

55:28.592 --> 55:31.031
in confidence, loyalty, and trust.

55:31.031 --> 55:33.060
Every officer needs a sergeant.

55:33.060 --> 55:35.582
My career was heavily
influenced by a phalanx

55:35.582 --> 55:37.594
of NCOs who modeled leadership,

55:37.594 --> 55:40.019
and provided unwavering
support along the way.

55:40.019 --> 55:42.720
Topped by the NCO we honored yesterday

55:42.720 --> 55:46.014
at his retirement, Command
Sergeant Major Bill Thetford,

55:46.014 --> 55:48.609
who was my sergeant for
the last eight years.

55:48.609 --> 55:50.962
I was well-supported by
members of my chain of command

55:50.962 --> 55:53.104
who believed the best
way you reward good work

55:53.104 --> 55:55.551
and performance is by providing

55:55.551 --> 55:57.531
opportunities to move forward.

55:57.531 --> 55:59.452
So I was afforded the opportunity to join

55:59.452 --> 56:01.310
the Ranger Regime and pursue jobs

56:01.310 --> 56:03.636
that contribute to a well-rounded career.

56:03.636 --> 56:05.686
The Army saw fit to allow
me to command not one,

56:05.686 --> 56:07.933
but two battalions.

56:07.933 --> 56:09.462
I don't know what they were thinking,

56:09.462 --> 56:11.355
but I was not about to ask,

56:11.355 --> 56:13.567
and it was definitely better
the second time around.

56:13.567 --> 56:16.126
The most satisfying
thing for any commander

56:16.126 --> 56:18.229
is to see the young officers and NCOs

56:18.229 --> 56:20.368
that you worked with as
a battalion commander

56:20.368 --> 56:22.940
grow up and become successful
senior leaders themselves.

56:22.940 --> 56:25.788
Virtually every company commander,

56:25.788 --> 56:28.916
first sergeant, staff
officer, or staff NCO

56:28.916 --> 56:31.009
who was in the First Ranger Battalion

56:31.009 --> 56:32.862
when I had the honor of commanding it

56:32.862 --> 56:35.484
is now a general officer
or a sergeant major.

56:35.484 --> 56:37.141
I was setup for success.

56:37.141 --> 56:40.187
I was fortunate to be
in key command positions

56:40.187 --> 56:43.153
on 9/11 and was able to
have a front row seat

56:43.153 --> 56:44.989
to our military response, and eventually

56:44.989 --> 56:46.931
our initial operations into Iraq.

56:46.931 --> 56:49.308
I had the opportunity to
transition between the Army

56:49.308 --> 56:51.575
and the joint soft community.

56:51.575 --> 56:54.526
Serving in storied units, like
the 82nd Airborne Division,

56:54.526 --> 56:57.206
and the Joint Special Operations Command.

56:57.206 --> 56:59.583
Following regimental command,
I had the opportunity

56:59.583 --> 57:01.527
to serve in the Pentagon for three years,

57:01.527 --> 57:03.328
where I learned that it is possible

57:03.328 --> 57:05.756
to suck and blow at the same time.

57:05.756 --> 57:08.565
While there, I was assigned
an important mission

57:08.565 --> 57:12.253
to pull together our department
efforts to defeat IEDs.

57:12.253 --> 57:15.743
At the time, it was the
hardest but most noble thing

57:15.743 --> 57:17.026
I'd ever done.

57:17.026 --> 57:20.119
But again, I was
well-supported by the services,

57:20.119 --> 57:22.832
by the OSD and joint
staffs, and especially

57:22.832 --> 57:26.738
the vast science technology
and acquisition communities

57:26.738 --> 57:27.872
of the Defense Department.

57:27.872 --> 57:30.643
When I needed help the
most, I got it in spades.

57:30.643 --> 57:34.654
As the JSOC, SOCOM, and CENTCOM commander,

57:34.654 --> 57:37.143
I had the opportunity to
lead our military efforts

57:37.143 --> 57:38.777
in very important areas.

57:38.777 --> 57:42.270
But again, any success I achieved
was merely reflected glory

57:42.270 --> 57:45.079
from those who actually
did the hard lifting.

57:45.079 --> 57:48.033
The soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen,

57:48.033 --> 57:49.238
and coast guardsmen, operating

57:49.238 --> 57:51.230
at the pointy end of the stick.

57:51.230 --> 57:53.301
Commanders and senior enlisted leaders

57:53.301 --> 57:55.574
who demonstrated vision
and strategic grasp

57:55.574 --> 57:57.404
that greatly exceeded mine.

57:57.404 --> 58:00.175
Staff officers and NCOs who
worked tirelessly to plan,

58:00.175 --> 58:02.592
coordinate, and then execute.

58:03.615 --> 58:05.972
Dedicated civilians who
provided the continuity

58:05.972 --> 58:09.630
and expertise that
underpinned everything we did.

58:09.630 --> 58:11.482
My point to all of you is this.

58:11.482 --> 58:13.406
I did very little myself.

58:13.406 --> 58:15.614
I had great examples set for me.

58:15.614 --> 58:18.337
Officers who took a
personal interest in me.

58:18.337 --> 58:21.018
I worked alongside the cream of the crop,

58:21.018 --> 58:24.382
and fate often interceded
and placed me in positions

58:24.382 --> 58:27.873
where I was able to serve
in consequential times.

58:27.873 --> 58:30.033
No one had it easier than me.

58:30.033 --> 58:32.706
Most importantly I had
the opportunity to work

58:32.706 --> 58:35.790
for nearly 39 years with
the best that our country

58:35.790 --> 58:38.045
has to offer, our young men and women.

58:38.045 --> 58:39.280
They are magnificent.

58:39.280 --> 58:41.301
They and their families
have little to gain

58:41.301 --> 58:45.468
in their service and
virtually everything to lose.

58:48.354 --> 58:51.577
But they have left it all on
the field for our country.

58:51.577 --> 58:54.868
How can you not be successful
working with people like that?

58:54.868 --> 58:57.407
I am so thankful for
having had the opportunity

58:57.407 --> 59:00.176
to be in a position to
lead them, to support them,

59:00.176 --> 59:02.481
and to get to know and love them.

59:02.481 --> 59:05.058
The last few months, weeks, and days

59:05.058 --> 59:07.611
have been filled with a
series of last things,

59:07.611 --> 59:09.679
but they also have been
filled with a deluge

59:09.679 --> 59:11.807
of memories and feelings.

59:11.807 --> 59:14.069
Most good, and some sad.

59:14.069 --> 59:16.101
The pride the first time you step in front

59:16.101 --> 59:17.413
of a new formation.

59:17.413 --> 59:20.203
The spree to belonging to an outfit

59:20.203 --> 59:23.514
where the collective culture
outweighs individual goals.

59:23.514 --> 59:25.637
The sense of accomplishment
that comes from knowing

59:25.637 --> 59:29.018
your actions helped a
solder or his family.

59:29.018 --> 59:31.172
The absolute thrill and satisfaction

59:31.172 --> 59:34.440
of an operation well-executed
and a mission accomplished.

59:34.440 --> 59:37.863
The agony of a mission
or operation going wrong.

59:37.863 --> 59:41.095
The loneliness of being
away from your loved ones.

59:41.095 --> 59:43.404
The profound grief and sadness of losing

59:43.404 --> 59:45.219
a close friend in combat.

59:45.219 --> 59:49.055
The warmth of that first
embrace after a long deployment.

59:49.055 --> 59:51.933
The relief when you try
to comfort the parents

59:51.933 --> 59:55.659
or the spouse of a fallen
soldier, only to realize

59:55.659 --> 59:58.047
that you aren't the one being consoled.

59:58.047 --> 01:00:00.264
The honor of having served a great country

01:00:00.264 --> 01:00:01.601
in its time of need.

01:00:01.601 --> 01:00:04.456
The gratitude for those who
have made the path possible.

01:00:04.456 --> 01:00:06.596
There is a ritual in airborne units

01:00:06.596 --> 01:00:09.151
when they get ready to jump.

01:00:09.151 --> 01:00:12.680
You show up at the ramp, you
go through pre-jump training,

01:00:12.680 --> 01:00:15.202
you don your gear, and you
stand by for the jump master

01:00:15.202 --> 01:00:17.452
to make final manifest call.

01:00:17.452 --> 01:00:21.407
When he does, he clearly
states the jumper's last name,

01:00:21.407 --> 01:00:23.694
and the jumper responds
with his first name

01:00:23.694 --> 01:00:25.312
and middle initial.

01:00:25.312 --> 01:00:27.401
Votel, Joseph, L.

01:00:27.401 --> 01:00:29.223
I suppose to the casual observer,

01:00:29.223 --> 01:00:31.720
this is primarily an accountability drill.

01:00:31.720 --> 01:00:34.727
After all, we do want to know
who's getting on the aircraft.

01:00:34.727 --> 01:00:38.656
But for anyone who's actually
done this, it is much more.

01:00:38.656 --> 01:00:41.473
It is acknowledgment that
you are stepping forward,

01:00:41.473 --> 01:00:44.607
placing your trust in life
in the hands of others,

01:00:44.607 --> 01:00:47.485
and acknowledgment that
others are placing their lives

01:00:47.485 --> 01:00:48.837
in your hands.

01:00:48.837 --> 01:00:51.143
A demonstration of your
commitment to the team

01:00:51.143 --> 01:00:54.271
and an agreement to do
something completely unnatural

01:00:54.271 --> 01:00:55.997
for your country.

01:00:55.997 --> 01:00:57.601
Call me a hopeless romantic,

01:00:57.601 --> 01:01:00.965
but I always loved that feeling.

01:01:00.965 --> 01:01:03.519
I have loved this life,
and I have loved those

01:01:03.519 --> 01:01:05.571
with whom I've been honored to serve.

01:01:05.571 --> 01:01:08.329
In the second letter to
the disciple Timothy,

01:01:08.329 --> 01:01:10.548
St. Paul writes from prison,

01:01:10.548 --> 01:01:12.648
the time of my departure is at hand.

01:01:12.648 --> 01:01:14.533
I have fought the good fight.

01:01:14.533 --> 01:01:16.035
I have finished the race.

01:01:16.035 --> 01:01:17.757
I have kept the faith.

01:01:17.757 --> 01:01:20.133
As my time in uniform comes to an end,

01:01:20.133 --> 01:01:22.688
as my race finishes,
as my fight concludes,

01:01:22.688 --> 01:01:24.492
I hope that I have been
worthy of the support

01:01:24.492 --> 01:01:27.114
and opportunities that
you and so many others

01:01:27.114 --> 01:01:29.057
have bestowed upon me.

01:01:29.057 --> 01:01:31.172
Thanks to all of you for joining us today.

01:01:31.172 --> 01:01:32.923
Come visit us in Minnesota.

01:01:32.923 --> 01:01:35.061
Bring warm clothes.

01:01:35.061 --> 01:01:37.311
(applause)

01:02:17.800 --> 01:02:18.797
- [Evangeline] Ladies and gentlemen,

01:02:18.797 --> 01:02:21.380
please remain standing for
the playing of the Army song,

01:02:21.380 --> 01:02:23.756
and stay in place until
after the departure

01:02:23.756 --> 01:02:26.143
of the official party,
and as the Votel family

01:02:26.143 --> 01:02:28.810
is escorted out of the ballroom.

01:02:30.827 --> 01:02:33.994
(The Army Song plays)

01:04:07.091 --> 01:04:08.993
Thank you all for taking the time to honor

01:04:08.993 --> 01:04:10.835
General Votel and his family.

01:04:10.835 --> 01:04:12.529
You may offer your congratulations

01:04:12.529 --> 01:04:14.870
and bid farewell to the
Votels after the change

01:04:14.870 --> 01:04:17.908
of command ceremony that
will commence at 3pm.

01:04:17.908 --> 01:04:19.309
There will be a short intermission

01:04:19.309 --> 01:04:22.148
as we reset the room for the
change of command ceremony.

01:04:22.148 --> 01:04:24.653
We kindly ask that you gather
your personal belongings

01:04:24.653 --> 01:04:26.830
so we can update the seating arrangements

01:04:26.830 --> 01:04:28.012
for the next event.

01:04:28.012 --> 01:04:32.272
Thank you again for attending
today's retirement ceremony.