1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:01,860 acting Secretary Miller and 2 00:00:01,860 --> 00:00:04,410 distinguished guests . We're gathered 3 00:00:04,410 --> 00:00:07,200 today for a signing ceremony to 4 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:09,250 implement the reforms outlined in 5 00:00:09,250 --> 00:00:12,290 Section 9 22 the fiscal Year 6 00:00:12,290 --> 00:00:15,170 2017 National Defense Authorization Act . 7 00:00:16,540 --> 00:00:18,707 For nearly four years , the Department 8 00:00:18,707 --> 00:00:20,707 defense has planned and prepared to 9 00:00:20,707 --> 00:00:22,873 implement this important legislation . 10 00:00:23,740 --> 00:00:26,000 It not only strengthens the role of the 11 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:27,944 assistant Secretary of Defense for 12 00:00:27,944 --> 00:00:30,000 special operations and low intensity 13 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,860 conflict as the senior civilian for 14 00:00:32,860 --> 00:00:34,527 special operations within the 15 00:00:34,527 --> 00:00:37,260 department , but it also reinforces the 16 00:00:37,270 --> 00:00:39,381 partnership with the Commander of the 17 00:00:39,381 --> 00:00:41,214 United States Special Operations 18 00:00:41,214 --> 00:00:44,370 Command . Ladies and gentlemen , we'll 19 00:00:44,370 --> 00:00:46,600 have opening remarks from the acting 20 00:00:46,600 --> 00:00:48,267 Undersecretary of Defense for 21 00:00:48,267 --> 00:00:50,910 Intelligence and Security . Mr Ezra 22 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:51,460 Cohen . 23 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:56,240 Yeah . 24 00:00:59,740 --> 00:01:03,310 Thank you , Jim . Mr . Secretary , 25 00:01:03,940 --> 00:01:06,780 on behalf of the men and women of U . S . 26 00:01:06,780 --> 00:01:09,580 Special operations , especially Army 27 00:01:09,580 --> 00:01:12,150 Special Operations . Welcome home . 28 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,462 We're honored that you have returned to 29 00:01:15,462 --> 00:01:18,000 your roots on this historic day on 30 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:21,440 hollowed ground Today to the Department 31 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,240 of Defense has started the process of 32 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:27,250 formalizing . But we have long known 33 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,580 the fundamental role of U . S . Special 34 00:01:30,580 --> 00:01:33,010 operations in defense and foreign 35 00:01:33,010 --> 00:01:36,900 policy by elevating Special Operations 36 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:40,630 forces to a level on par with military 37 00:01:40,630 --> 00:01:44,140 departments as authorized and directed 38 00:01:44,140 --> 00:01:47,760 by Congress . As we enact these 39 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,780 reforms , we follow the vision of 40 00:01:50,780 --> 00:01:53,250 President John F . Kennedy , who 41 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:54,960 predicted the rise of special 42 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:57,960 operations nearly 60 years ago . 43 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,450 He foresaw quote another type of war 44 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,460 new in its intensity , ancient in its 45 00:02:05,460 --> 00:02:09,180 origin that would require a whole new 46 00:02:09,180 --> 00:02:11,320 kind of strategy . Ah , wholly 47 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:13,780 different kind of force forces which 48 00:02:13,780 --> 00:02:16,010 are too unconventional to be called 49 00:02:16,010 --> 00:02:18,350 conventional forces , which are growing 50 00:02:18,350 --> 00:02:19,961 in number and importance and 51 00:02:19,961 --> 00:02:23,210 significance . President Kennedy gave 52 00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:25,210 these remarks at the opening of the 53 00:02:25,210 --> 00:02:27,860 nuclear age , when the Pentagon was 54 00:02:27,860 --> 00:02:31,770 primarily organized to plan and direct 55 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,170 large conventional operations against 56 00:02:35,170 --> 00:02:37,990 superpowers , not special operations . 57 00:02:37,990 --> 00:02:41,800 Short of overt declared conflict . The 58 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:43,911 global demands for Special Operations 59 00:02:43,911 --> 00:02:47,110 forces then and now has confirmed 60 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,240 President Kennedy's foresight . And now , 61 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:52,573 under the leadership of President Trump , 62 00:02:52,573 --> 00:02:55,650 we're fully really realizing President 63 00:02:55,650 --> 00:02:58,340 Kenny's precedent view of special 64 00:02:58,340 --> 00:03:02,220 operations forces . It is fitting 65 00:03:02,220 --> 00:03:04,300 that were again entering an era of 66 00:03:04,300 --> 00:03:07,000 great power competition as we gather to 67 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,890 infer affirm the importance of special 68 00:03:09,900 --> 00:03:13,530 special operations community , then is 69 00:03:13,530 --> 00:03:16,340 now I know Special operations forces 70 00:03:16,740 --> 00:03:19,340 will play a vital role , and by the 71 00:03:19,340 --> 00:03:21,870 historic reforms we have enacted today , 72 00:03:22,340 --> 00:03:24,390 we will ensure special operations 73 00:03:24,390 --> 00:03:27,050 forces has a civilian advocate 74 00:03:27,440 --> 00:03:30,120 commensurate to the secretaries of the 75 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:32,740 other military departments . I am 76 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:34,573 honored to serve as your service 77 00:03:34,573 --> 00:03:36,950 secretary . Thank you very much , 78 00:03:41,540 --> 00:03:45,380 ladies and gentlemen , Acting 79 00:03:45,380 --> 00:03:46,436 Secretary Miller , 80 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,790 You do things . You read them here . 81 00:03:52,790 --> 00:03:55,820 Jim , you take this . Got my big book . 82 00:03:55,860 --> 00:03:58,082 I'm going to speak for a couple hours . 83 00:03:59,140 --> 00:04:01,307 Good morning , everyone . Wow , What a 84 00:04:01,307 --> 00:04:03,610 week . That old cliche , if you want a 85 00:04:03,610 --> 00:04:06,250 friend in Washington , D . C get a dog 86 00:04:06,260 --> 00:04:08,530 may be true for many , but for May I 87 00:04:08,530 --> 00:04:10,752 know I can come to Fort Bragg , be with 88 00:04:10,752 --> 00:04:12,863 my brothers and sisters , and special 89 00:04:12,863 --> 00:04:14,974 operations forces will always have my 90 00:04:14,974 --> 00:04:18,300 back . It is an honor to be here on 91 00:04:18,300 --> 00:04:20,160 this holiday plaza where we are 92 00:04:20,160 --> 00:04:23,330 reminded of the enormous sacrifices and 93 00:04:23,330 --> 00:04:25,300 burdens shouldered by our nation's 94 00:04:25,310 --> 00:04:28,850 special operators . These brave heroes 95 00:04:28,850 --> 00:04:32,130 refers to the enemy's doorstep mark in 96 00:04:32,130 --> 00:04:34,130 the aftermath of the September 11th 97 00:04:34,130 --> 00:04:36,730 attacks in 2000 and one on Lee . Weeks 98 00:04:36,730 --> 00:04:38,730 after that dark day in our nation's 99 00:04:38,730 --> 00:04:42,100 history , they plunged into danger to 100 00:04:42,100 --> 00:04:44,380 bring justice to the terrorists who 101 00:04:44,380 --> 00:04:46,540 took thousands of innocents American 102 00:04:46,540 --> 00:04:49,380 lives , and they will be the ones who 103 00:04:49,380 --> 00:04:52,280 continued to deny safe haven to violent 104 00:04:52,280 --> 00:04:54,810 extremists . and maintain unrelenting 105 00:04:54,810 --> 00:04:58,430 pressure on the road to stability and 106 00:04:58,430 --> 00:05:01,760 lasting peace in Afghanistan and Iraq . 107 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:04,073 I know firsthand the caliber and 108 00:05:04,073 --> 00:05:06,340 character of these brave service 109 00:05:06,340 --> 00:05:08,870 members being served , having served as 110 00:05:08,870 --> 00:05:10,592 an Army Special Forces Company 111 00:05:10,592 --> 00:05:14,240 commander under then Colonel John 112 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:16,296 Mulholland during Operation Enduring 113 00:05:16,296 --> 00:05:18,800 Freedom and with Mark . Of course , I 114 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:20,660 also served two tours in Iraq , 115 00:05:20,660 --> 00:05:22,660 including during the 2000 and three 116 00:05:22,660 --> 00:05:25,450 invasion and later in 2000 and six is a 117 00:05:25,450 --> 00:05:27,506 Special Forces Battalion commander , 118 00:05:27,506 --> 00:05:29,728 secretary in the Special Forces Group , 119 00:05:29,940 --> 00:05:31,884 absolutely the best Special Forces 120 00:05:31,884 --> 00:05:34,107 Battalion in the history of the world . 121 00:05:34,107 --> 00:05:36,218 No offense . I spent the remainder of 122 00:05:36,218 --> 00:05:38,440 my career just as committed , defeating 123 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:40,496 terrorists and those that would help 124 00:05:40,496 --> 00:05:42,496 harbor them . Today we are gathered 125 00:05:42,496 --> 00:05:45,440 before a monument that symbolizes the 126 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:48,930 tremendous cost of these conflicts and 127 00:05:48,930 --> 00:05:51,850 our relentless vigilance . In light of 128 00:05:51,850 --> 00:05:53,690 the countless sacrifices made by 129 00:05:53,690 --> 00:05:55,690 hundreds of thousands of American 130 00:05:55,690 --> 00:05:58,240 service members on our enormous 131 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:00,830 progress over North over nearly two 132 00:06:00,830 --> 00:06:03,190 decades , we're now bringing these 133 00:06:03,190 --> 00:06:06,100 conflicts to their successful and 134 00:06:06,100 --> 00:06:08,700 responsible conclusion under the bold 135 00:06:08,700 --> 00:06:10,650 leadership of President Trump . 136 00:06:11,540 --> 00:06:13,651 Yesterday , the president ordered the 137 00:06:13,651 --> 00:06:15,651 downsizing of our force presence in 138 00:06:15,651 --> 00:06:18,910 Afghanistan and Iraq , 2500 139 00:06:18,910 --> 00:06:22,440 troops in each country by 15 January 140 00:06:22,450 --> 00:06:25,670 2021 in a manner that protects our 141 00:06:25,670 --> 00:06:28,380 fighting men and women and our hard 142 00:06:28,390 --> 00:06:32,230 earned gains . At the same time , you 143 00:06:32,230 --> 00:06:34,119 all know this . Should any malign 144 00:06:34,119 --> 00:06:37,480 actors underestimate our resolve or 145 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,591 attempt to undermine our efforts , we 146 00:06:39,591 --> 00:06:42,370 will not hesitate to restore deterrence 147 00:06:42,670 --> 00:06:45,260 and defeat any and all threats as we 148 00:06:45,260 --> 00:06:47,710 implement the president's orders . We 149 00:06:47,710 --> 00:06:50,220 also recognize that transitions in 150 00:06:50,220 --> 00:06:53,570 campaigns are fraught with risk and 151 00:06:53,580 --> 00:06:56,360 unexpected challenges and opportunities . 152 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:00,320 That is why I am here today to announce 153 00:07:00,330 --> 00:07:03,960 this'd snowmen . Uh um , 154 00:07:04,340 --> 00:07:06,507 I'm here today to announce that I have 155 00:07:06,507 --> 00:07:08,284 directed the Special Operations 156 00:07:08,284 --> 00:07:10,530 civilian leadership to report directly 157 00:07:10,540 --> 00:07:13,760 to me instead of through the current 158 00:07:13,770 --> 00:07:17,030 bureaucratic channels . This historic 159 00:07:17,030 --> 00:07:19,030 step finalizes what Congress has 160 00:07:19,030 --> 00:07:21,210 authorized and directed and will put 161 00:07:21,210 --> 00:07:24,140 Special Operations Command on par with 162 00:07:24,140 --> 00:07:26,290 the military services for the first 163 00:07:26,290 --> 00:07:29,870 time . This reform will immediately 164 00:07:29,870 --> 00:07:32,360 improve agility to the department and 165 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,620 the command and will enable us to 166 00:07:34,620 --> 00:07:37,650 streamline information flow , enhanced 167 00:07:37,650 --> 00:07:40,080 decision making and more adapt Lee and 168 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,620 adeptly support our commanders and 169 00:07:42,620 --> 00:07:44,870 their superb soldiers . Sailors , 170 00:07:45,310 --> 00:07:49,170 airman , Marines changes often tectonic 171 00:07:49,180 --> 00:07:51,347 in the Department of Defense . This is 172 00:07:51,347 --> 00:07:54,370 this is by design and as our history 173 00:07:54,370 --> 00:07:56,640 shows has served the nation very well . 174 00:07:57,240 --> 00:07:59,910 Today's reform is directly aligned with 175 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:02,110 all three of my priorities , as 176 00:08:02,110 --> 00:08:04,277 outlined in my message to the force on 177 00:08:04,277 --> 00:08:06,630 Monday , first during the current war 178 00:08:06,630 --> 00:08:09,120 to an end in a responsible manner that 179 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,460 guarantees the security of our citizens 180 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,170 to continue implementing the national 181 00:08:14,170 --> 00:08:17,410 defense strategy with an emphasis on 182 00:08:17,410 --> 00:08:19,632 transforming the department great power 183 00:08:19,632 --> 00:08:22,200 competition and three accelerate the 184 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:24,311 department's activities to contribute 185 00:08:24,311 --> 00:08:26,311 to our whole of government effort . 186 00:08:26,311 --> 00:08:29,210 Combat transnational threats . I also 187 00:08:29,210 --> 00:08:31,377 want to highlight that this particular 188 00:08:31,377 --> 00:08:34,180 change has been analyzed , debated and 189 00:08:34,180 --> 00:08:36,920 refined over the course of the past 30 190 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:39,410 years since the creation of Special 191 00:08:39,410 --> 00:08:42,110 Operations Command and the assistant 192 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,009 and the creation of the assistant 193 00:08:44,009 --> 00:08:45,842 secretary of defense for special 194 00:08:45,842 --> 00:08:48,009 operations . Low intensity conflict by 195 00:08:48,009 --> 00:08:50,410 the non koan koan Excuse me Non Cohen 196 00:08:50,410 --> 00:08:52,750 amendment , The Goldwater Nichols Act 197 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:55,940 of 1987 . I have closely studied and 198 00:08:55,940 --> 00:08:57,829 been intimately involved in these 199 00:08:57,829 --> 00:09:00,230 efforts . I personally think soul it 200 00:09:00,230 --> 00:09:02,230 deserves to be an undersecretary of 201 00:09:02,230 --> 00:09:04,180 defense , but unfortunately that's 202 00:09:04,180 --> 00:09:06,402 beyond my authority and purview at this 203 00:09:06,402 --> 00:09:08,870 time . But I know future generations 204 00:09:08,870 --> 00:09:11,110 will take that one on today as we chart 205 00:09:11,110 --> 00:09:13,166 a clear path forward for our special 206 00:09:13,166 --> 00:09:15,166 operators . We proudly stand on the 207 00:09:15,166 --> 00:09:18,030 shoulders of the giants who came before 208 00:09:18,030 --> 00:09:20,197 US Colonel Aaron Bank , founder of the 209 00:09:20,197 --> 00:09:22,300 U . S . Army Special Forces Major 210 00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:24,467 Richard Dick Meadows of the U S . Army 211 00:09:24,467 --> 00:09:26,800 Special Forces . His memorialized in 212 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:28,860 the statue nearby . Major General 213 00:09:28,870 --> 00:09:31,330 Johnny Allison , founder U S . Air 214 00:09:31,330 --> 00:09:34,870 Force Special Operations Captain Phil 215 00:09:34,870 --> 00:09:37,020 Bucklew , whose name adorns the Naval 216 00:09:37,020 --> 00:09:39,076 Special Warfare Center in Coronado , 217 00:09:39,076 --> 00:09:41,210 California Brigadier General Evans 218 00:09:41,210 --> 00:09:43,321 Carlson , where the Devil Dogs bought 219 00:09:43,321 --> 00:09:44,932 an incredible commander , an 220 00:09:44,932 --> 00:09:46,988 influential commander , the earliest 221 00:09:46,988 --> 00:09:49,170 Marine Raiders Major General Jack 222 00:09:49,170 --> 00:09:52,000 Single ob . A Trailblazer among Special 223 00:09:52,000 --> 00:09:55,440 operations forces . Former acting I'm 224 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:57,520 sorry . Former Army Secretary John 225 00:09:57,530 --> 00:09:59,730 Marsh , a vocal advocate for soft 226 00:09:59,730 --> 00:10:01,841 improvements in the wake of Operation 227 00:10:01,841 --> 00:10:03,674 Eagle Claw and , more recently , 228 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:06,460 Colonel Retired Day Maxwell , United 229 00:10:06,460 --> 00:10:08,820 States Army Special Forces Lieutenant 230 00:10:08,820 --> 00:10:11,200 Generals John Mulholland and Charles 231 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,870 Cleveland Charles Cleveland . Voice . 232 00:10:14,870 --> 00:10:17,037 Charlie Cleveland . That's good to see 233 00:10:17,037 --> 00:10:19,570 it formalized their their now retired 234 00:10:19,580 --> 00:10:21,590 senior leaders in the Special 235 00:10:21,590 --> 00:10:23,312 Operations community . We also 236 00:10:23,312 --> 00:10:25,534 acknowledge the leaders in Congress who 237 00:10:25,534 --> 00:10:27,479 are a driving force behind the non 238 00:10:27,479 --> 00:10:29,770 Cohen reorganization . Reminded of the 239 00:10:29,770 --> 00:10:31,670 late Congressman Dan Daniel from 240 00:10:31,670 --> 00:10:33,450 Virginia early and influential 241 00:10:33,450 --> 00:10:36,560 proponent , a special operations reform 242 00:10:36,560 --> 00:10:38,870 in gym locker , who was instrumental in 243 00:10:38,870 --> 00:10:41,790 garnering bipartisan support for the 244 00:10:41,790 --> 00:10:43,990 reorganization and later became the 245 00:10:43,990 --> 00:10:46,212 assistant secretary defense for Special 246 00:10:46,212 --> 00:10:49,200 operations . Low intensity conflict We 247 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,367 have to remember , though behind these 248 00:10:51,367 --> 00:10:53,478 titans stood enormous group dedicated 249 00:10:53,478 --> 00:10:55,478 patriots , many that have served in 250 00:10:55,478 --> 00:10:57,700 this building who did the heavy lifting 251 00:10:57,700 --> 00:10:59,978 to create what ultimately became U . S . 252 00:10:59,978 --> 00:11:02,200 Special Operations Command , a national 253 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,256 treasure unparalleled in the world . 254 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:06,800 These Patriots give us strength and 255 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,300 remain our guiding lights today , with 256 00:11:09,300 --> 00:11:11,522 the strong support of President Trump , 257 00:11:11,522 --> 00:11:13,578 were forging the next chapter in the 258 00:11:13,578 --> 00:11:15,633 history of the United States Special 259 00:11:15,633 --> 00:11:17,900 Operations Forces and formalizing a 260 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:20,640 watershed reform . Right now , we start 261 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,529 the transition to provide greater 262 00:11:22,529 --> 00:11:25,630 civilian oversight of , and critically 263 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,450 advocacy for our special operators . 264 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:31,418 This couldn't comment , um , or 265 00:11:31,418 --> 00:11:33,362 critical moment in time because we 266 00:11:33,362 --> 00:11:35,529 bring our nation's longest conflict to 267 00:11:35,529 --> 00:11:37,529 responsible end and prepare special 268 00:11:37,529 --> 00:11:39,670 operations forces for this new era of 269 00:11:39,680 --> 00:11:41,791 great power competition . I can think 270 00:11:41,791 --> 00:11:44,090 of no better place than here at the 271 00:11:44,090 --> 00:11:46,312 original home of our Special Operations 272 00:11:46,312 --> 00:11:49,940 forces to enshrine stronger support the 273 00:11:49,940 --> 00:11:52,020 next generation of special operators 274 00:11:52,030 --> 00:11:55,140 hardened by combat and unrelenting 275 00:11:55,140 --> 00:11:57,020 deployments who understand the 276 00:11:57,020 --> 00:11:59,710 fundamental nature of war who remain 277 00:11:59,710 --> 00:12:02,870 committed to defeating every threat and 278 00:12:02,870 --> 00:12:05,600 who are undeterred by the high price of 279 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:08,940 victory . Dia Pressel , A bear . God 280 00:12:08,940 --> 00:12:11,051 bless our women and men in uniforms . 281 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,607 God bless our great nation . Thank you 282 00:12:13,607 --> 00:12:16,700 so much . You can You can , 283 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:23,460 Ladies and gentlemen , joining Acting 284 00:12:23,460 --> 00:12:25,627 Secretary Miller for the signing . The 285 00:12:25,627 --> 00:12:28,750 document is Mr Mark Mitchell , the 286 00:12:28,750 --> 00:12:30,806 former acting assistant secretary of 287 00:12:30,806 --> 00:12:32,861 Defense for Special Operations . Low 288 00:12:32,861 --> 00:12:35,240 intensity conflict . Mr Cohen and Dr 289 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:38,760 Joseph Tonin . Yeah , come on . 290 00:12:39,540 --> 00:12:42,860 How and Colonel retired . They've Max 291 00:12:42,860 --> 00:12:46,840 level . What ? That Wow . 292 00:12:46,850 --> 00:12:50,740 Holy thistle is a great that . Okay , 293 00:12:50,750 --> 00:12:53,770 All right . I know that I green 294 00:12:54,940 --> 00:12:58,670 somebody times I would have 295 00:12:59,370 --> 00:13:02,190 I do want her with . Damn . 296 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,650 Okay . All right , I'll see 297 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:22,150 double the national market . 298 00:13:25,170 --> 00:13:27,320 All right . First , 299 00:13:28,340 --> 00:13:32,160 you guys , ladies and gentlemen , thank 300 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,327 you for attending today's event . This 301 00:13:34,327 --> 00:13:37,330 concludes the ceremonies , All right ? 302 00:13:37,340 --> 00:13:39,450 Yeah , yeah .