1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:02,060 Well , good afternoon . It is a 2 00:00:02,070 --> 00:00:05,110 tremendous privilege Toe welcome 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,064 President Biden and Vice President 4 00:00:07,064 --> 00:00:09,710 Harris to the Department of Defense . 5 00:00:13,410 --> 00:00:15,521 Their visit to the Pentagon shows the 6 00:00:15,521 --> 00:00:17,410 importance that they place on our 7 00:00:17,410 --> 00:00:19,990 national security and , importantly , 8 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:22,900 the deep value that they plays in the 9 00:00:22,900 --> 00:00:26,080 men and women of our department . You 10 00:00:26,080 --> 00:00:27,913 know , I've had the privilege of 11 00:00:27,913 --> 00:00:30,440 working closely with President Biden to 12 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:33,650 tackle tough issues under intense and 13 00:00:33,650 --> 00:00:36,880 often high pressure situations . And I 14 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:38,780 know firsthand his commitment to 15 00:00:38,780 --> 00:00:41,860 defending our nation and his steadfast 16 00:00:41,860 --> 00:00:44,570 support of the men and women that he 17 00:00:44,570 --> 00:00:46,514 now leaves . It's our commander in 18 00:00:46,514 --> 00:00:49,350 chief . He knows well the 19 00:00:49,820 --> 00:00:52,140 necessity of making tough choices with 20 00:00:52,140 --> 00:00:55,200 regard to are scarce resource is and 21 00:00:55,600 --> 00:00:57,900 the importance of revitalizing our 22 00:00:57,900 --> 00:01:00,500 alliances in our partnerships . 23 00:01:01,940 --> 00:01:05,110 And he knows we in this department will 24 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:09,100 always be ready to fight and win should 25 00:01:09,100 --> 00:01:13,000 he call upon us . But he also believes 26 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,290 that his first call should be to our 27 00:01:15,290 --> 00:01:17,650 diplomats with us in full support . 28 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:21,207 When the president talks about leading 29 00:01:21,207 --> 00:01:23,880 from a position of strength , this is 30 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:26,960 what he means , the strength that comes 31 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:30,130 from teamwork and cooperation and from 32 00:01:30,130 --> 00:01:31,908 defense and diplomacy . Working 33 00:01:31,908 --> 00:01:33,797 together with agency partners and 34 00:01:33,797 --> 00:01:36,960 allies allies big and small . 35 00:01:38,640 --> 00:01:40,730 And that's how he is marshaling our 36 00:01:40,730 --> 00:01:43,310 government's response toe covert 19 37 00:01:43,310 --> 00:01:46,550 pandemic . And it's how he started to 38 00:01:46,550 --> 00:01:48,606 take on some of the most challenging 39 00:01:48,606 --> 00:01:51,850 threats we face around the world . Mr . 40 00:01:51,850 --> 00:01:53,961 President , thank you for visiting us 41 00:01:53,961 --> 00:01:56,320 today and for the trust and confidence 42 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:59,540 that you placed in us . We will do all 43 00:01:59,540 --> 00:02:01,670 we can to make sure that you and Vice 44 00:02:01,670 --> 00:02:04,890 President Harris are always leading 45 00:02:04,890 --> 00:02:08,210 from that position of strength . And 46 00:02:08,210 --> 00:02:10,377 Madam Vice President , I know that you 47 00:02:10,377 --> 00:02:13,160 share the president's vision and that 48 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:15,271 you believe strongly in the work that 49 00:02:15,271 --> 00:02:18,550 we do toe defend our nation in your 50 00:02:18,550 --> 00:02:20,550 lifetime of support to the American 51 00:02:20,550 --> 00:02:22,790 people . And your outstanding and out 52 00:02:22,790 --> 00:02:25,860 spoken support of service members , 53 00:02:25,860 --> 00:02:28,900 especially our veterans , gives me 54 00:02:28,900 --> 00:02:31,770 great confidence that you will fight to 55 00:02:31,770 --> 00:02:33,992 make sure that our military remains the 56 00:02:33,992 --> 00:02:36,650 strongest and the most capable fighting 57 00:02:36,650 --> 00:02:40,360 force on the planet . And so we're 58 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,770 grateful for your support , and I look 59 00:02:42,770 --> 00:02:45,290 forward to working with you to tackle 60 00:02:45,290 --> 00:02:47,346 our country's most pressing security 61 00:02:47,346 --> 00:02:51,050 challenges in the year ahead . Mr . 62 00:02:51,050 --> 00:02:52,994 President and Madam Vice President 63 00:02:52,994 --> 00:02:55,161 thanks again for honoring us with your 64 00:02:55,161 --> 00:02:57,494 visit . And so now Ladies and gentlemen , 65 00:02:57,494 --> 00:03:00,200 it's my pleasure to introduce the vice 66 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:03,190 president of the United States . Kamala 67 00:03:03,190 --> 00:03:03,710 Harris . 68 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:08,840 Yeah . 69 00:03:25,140 --> 00:03:27,120 Yeah . These guys were tall . 70 00:03:27,130 --> 00:03:30,550 Thank you , Secretary Austin , 71 00:03:30,940 --> 00:03:33,840 Andi , for your warm welcome today and 72 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:35,830 for your leadership and to the 73 00:03:35,830 --> 00:03:38,280 personnel here at the Pentagon , both 74 00:03:38,280 --> 00:03:41,230 civilian and uniformed . Thank you for 75 00:03:41,230 --> 00:03:43,780 your dedication and for your discipline 76 00:03:44,540 --> 00:03:46,870 and thank you for keeping our nation 77 00:03:46,870 --> 00:03:50,030 safe . Over the years , I have visited 78 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:51,919 bases in California and I've also 79 00:03:51,919 --> 00:03:54,030 traveled to meet with service members 80 00:03:54,030 --> 00:03:57,100 stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan . The 81 00:03:57,100 --> 00:03:59,610 service members I've met our troops 82 00:03:59,610 --> 00:04:02,180 around the world face daunting 83 00:04:02,180 --> 00:04:05,060 challenges , but they do not flinch . 84 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:07,850 They do not let their energy flag . 85 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:12,400 They defend our country . They deter 86 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:15,360 our enemies and they sometimes do it 87 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,050 all thousands of miles away from their 88 00:04:18,050 --> 00:04:21,490 homes and their families . Service and 89 00:04:21,490 --> 00:04:25,050 sacrifice is in your DNA . It 90 00:04:25,050 --> 00:04:28,960 defines who you are . It defines what 91 00:04:28,970 --> 00:04:32,480 you do . It defines how we lead 92 00:04:32,490 --> 00:04:36,000 worldwide . And today , as we face 93 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:38,600 global threats to our climate and to 94 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:41,110 our health , tow our physical security 95 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,760 and cyber security . Your work is of 96 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,560 profound importance and consequence . 97 00:04:47,940 --> 00:04:50,107 And that's why the President and I are 98 00:04:50,107 --> 00:04:53,850 here today . to tell you that we stand 99 00:04:53,860 --> 00:04:57,660 with you and we stand for you . 100 00:04:58,540 --> 00:05:01,840 You are the best and the bravest 101 00:05:02,080 --> 00:05:05,350 fighting force in the world . You know 102 00:05:05,350 --> 00:05:07,183 that success comes not just from 103 00:05:07,183 --> 00:05:09,240 training and equipment . That is 104 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,160 certainly crucial , but also from 105 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:16,020 clarity , envision and in mission , in 106 00:05:16,020 --> 00:05:19,730 strategy and in tactics . It comes not 107 00:05:19,730 --> 00:05:22,590 only from force , though , when we must 108 00:05:22,590 --> 00:05:25,970 fight , we will fight to win , but also 109 00:05:25,970 --> 00:05:29,610 from diplomacy , development and our 110 00:05:29,610 --> 00:05:32,870 democratic principles . That is what we 111 00:05:32,870 --> 00:05:35,850 pledge to you . We will always honor 112 00:05:35,860 --> 00:05:39,030 your service and sacrifice . We will 113 00:05:39,030 --> 00:05:42,310 always support you because your success 114 00:05:42,740 --> 00:05:46,550 ensures our nation's security because 115 00:05:46,550 --> 00:05:50,040 your success ensures our nation's 116 00:05:50,050 --> 00:05:53,600 success . You have wise and steadfast 117 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,780 leadership and Secretary Austin and 118 00:05:55,780 --> 00:05:57,750 Chairman Millie , and you have a 119 00:05:57,750 --> 00:06:00,080 commander in chief . We have a 120 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:02,350 commander in chief in our country who 121 00:06:02,350 --> 00:06:05,170 knows from personal experience the 122 00:06:05,170 --> 00:06:07,503 burden that you and your families carry . 123 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:10,190 He has so much respect for each and 124 00:06:10,190 --> 00:06:13,640 every one of you , as do I . As you 125 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,696 know , this is Black History Month . 126 00:06:15,696 --> 00:06:17,696 And while we celebrate that part of 127 00:06:17,696 --> 00:06:20,360 America's history every day , let US 128 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,210 honor . Also today , the black soldiers 129 00:06:23,210 --> 00:06:25,543 who fought at the battle of Bunker Hill , 130 00:06:25,990 --> 00:06:28,700 the black infantrymen of the Civil War , 131 00:06:29,340 --> 00:06:32,500 the black waves of World War Two . The 132 00:06:32,500 --> 00:06:34,610 many courageous Americans who 133 00:06:34,610 --> 00:06:37,370 throughout our history have answered 134 00:06:37,380 --> 00:06:40,270 the call to duty . They didn't just 135 00:06:40,270 --> 00:06:43,060 join to make history . They joined to 136 00:06:43,060 --> 00:06:46,620 serve , and all of you joined to 137 00:06:46,620 --> 00:06:50,120 serve . So as we next hear from our 138 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:52,120 president , let me just end where I 139 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:55,450 began a few months ago in Ohio , I met 140 00:06:55,460 --> 00:06:57,500 the mother of one of the service 141 00:06:57,500 --> 00:07:00,830 members I met in Kabul . A soldier by 142 00:07:00,830 --> 00:07:03,420 the name of Shelagh and her mother was 143 00:07:03,420 --> 00:07:06,190 so proud of her daughter . And she came 144 00:07:06,190 --> 00:07:08,412 up to me and she said , You remember my 145 00:07:08,412 --> 00:07:10,523 daughter . She showed me a picture of 146 00:07:10,523 --> 00:07:12,746 her and she asked me what I call Shayla 147 00:07:12,746 --> 00:07:14,912 and leave her a message . And it was a 148 00:07:14,912 --> 00:07:17,310 simple message . I told her how 149 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:20,800 thankful I was . And her nation is for 150 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:23,430 her service . And I'm thankful to all 151 00:07:23,430 --> 00:07:25,960 of you . And of course , so is our 152 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,320 president . Your president . So is our 153 00:07:28,320 --> 00:07:31,370 nation . So my God bless you . And may 154 00:07:31,370 --> 00:07:32,660 God bless America . 155 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,207 I think working , switching introduced 156 00:07:39,207 --> 00:07:41,207 the president . I'm sorry . Are you 157 00:07:41,207 --> 00:07:42,207 thinking just 158 00:08:03,610 --> 00:08:05,388 well , thank you , madam . vice 159 00:08:05,388 --> 00:08:08,970 president . Now , if I may , just a few 160 00:08:08,970 --> 00:08:11,800 more words before the president takes 161 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,200 the podium and and these words air 162 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:17,340 about family . As most of you know , I 163 00:08:17,340 --> 00:08:19,451 had the privilege of serving with his 164 00:08:19,451 --> 00:08:22,500 son Beau in Iraq when Bo was a captain 165 00:08:22,500 --> 00:08:26,280 with the Delaware National Guard . And 166 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:28,670 Bo was an absolutely outstanding 167 00:08:28,670 --> 00:08:32,640 officer and a good man . And , you 168 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:34,584 know , I knew that pretty much the 169 00:08:34,584 --> 00:08:37,150 moment that I met him . Ah , good man 170 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:40,296 now captains Biden captain . Biden's 171 00:08:40,296 --> 00:08:43,570 colleagues admired him , and they 172 00:08:43,570 --> 00:08:46,530 looked up to him and he looked after 173 00:08:46,530 --> 00:08:49,450 them . And that dedication 174 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:53,440 lives on in his parents . You know , 175 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:55,607 Even before her first day at the White 176 00:08:55,607 --> 00:08:58,360 House , our first lady , Jill Biden , 177 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:00,729 announced that she would relaunch 178 00:09:00,729 --> 00:09:02,784 joining forces . And , as you know , 179 00:09:02,784 --> 00:09:05,420 that's a public private initiative to 180 00:09:05,420 --> 00:09:07,587 support service members , veterans and 181 00:09:07,587 --> 00:09:10,600 their families . And just last week , 182 00:09:10,610 --> 00:09:13,940 Dr Biden and Dr Fauci participated in a 183 00:09:13,940 --> 00:09:15,980 town hall with Blue Star families 184 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:18,370 addressing their concerns about Covic 185 00:09:18,370 --> 00:09:22,160 vaccines . And so the 186 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:25,340 Biden family knows what service to 187 00:09:25,340 --> 00:09:28,680 country feels like . They understand 188 00:09:28,680 --> 00:09:31,830 sacrifice , and they know how to look 189 00:09:31,830 --> 00:09:34,320 after those who look to them for 190 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:37,680 leadership as the commander in chief . 191 00:09:37,680 --> 00:09:39,902 I know that President Biden will always 192 00:09:39,902 --> 00:09:41,847 ask the tough questions about what 193 00:09:41,847 --> 00:09:44,700 we're doing to keep Americans safe and 194 00:09:44,700 --> 00:09:47,580 equally important , what leaders are 195 00:09:47,580 --> 00:09:49,850 doing to take care of the men and women 196 00:09:49,860 --> 00:09:51,900 charged with this profound 197 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:55,830 responsibility . We're very 198 00:09:55,830 --> 00:09:57,830 fortunate to have come here with us 199 00:09:57,830 --> 00:10:00,690 today , and we are enormously grateful 200 00:10:00,690 --> 00:10:04,300 for his leadership . And so , ladies 201 00:10:04,300 --> 00:10:06,710 and gentlemen , it is my great honor to 202 00:10:06,710 --> 00:10:08,960 introduce to you our commander in Chief 203 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:10,760 President Joe Biden . 204 00:10:15,640 --> 00:10:16,640 Oh , 205 00:10:26,240 --> 00:10:27,240 yeah . 206 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:31,640 Thank you . 207 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:37,551 Almost , Secretary . Thank you . Good 208 00:10:37,551 --> 00:10:40,760 afternoon , everyone . I want to thank 209 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:43,440 Secretary awesome for welcoming the 210 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:45,850 vice president me to the Pentagon today . 211 00:10:46,540 --> 00:10:49,790 It's good to be back before I began . I 212 00:10:49,790 --> 00:10:52,860 have some welcome news that the Saudi 213 00:10:52,860 --> 00:10:55,630 government has released a prominent 214 00:10:55,630 --> 00:10:59,350 human rights activist . Low Jane Allah 215 00:10:59,350 --> 00:11:02,690 the loo Arlo . Excuse me , L O L 216 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:05,850 from prison . She was a powerful 217 00:11:05,850 --> 00:11:07,750 advocate for women's rights and 218 00:11:07,750 --> 00:11:10,083 releasing her was the right thing to do . 219 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:13,410 It's been a busy day . Earlier , I 220 00:11:13,410 --> 00:11:15,550 announced steps we've taken to impose 221 00:11:15,550 --> 00:11:18,190 costs on those responsible for the 222 00:11:18,190 --> 00:11:20,900 military coup in Burma . I've just 223 00:11:20,900 --> 00:11:23,067 concluded a briefing with the civilian 224 00:11:23,067 --> 00:11:25,122 and military leadership where I laid 225 00:11:25,122 --> 00:11:27,233 out my national security priorities , 226 00:11:27,233 --> 00:11:29,400 and I want to share the message 227 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:31,622 directly with the Department of Defense 228 00:11:31,622 --> 00:11:34,250 defense staff all around the world . 229 00:11:34,940 --> 00:11:36,940 Because each of you , each of you , 230 00:11:36,950 --> 00:11:38,900 whether you're newly enlisted , a 231 00:11:38,910 --> 00:11:41,080 career officer , a non commissioned 232 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,760 officer or a civilian policy expert 233 00:11:45,140 --> 00:11:47,196 your essential to how we project our 234 00:11:47,196 --> 00:11:49,140 strength around the world , defend 235 00:11:49,140 --> 00:11:51,350 America's interests and advanced 236 00:11:51,350 --> 00:11:53,760 American leadership in the world . So 237 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:55,770 often , our armed forces and the 238 00:11:55,770 --> 00:11:58,660 Department of Defense staff are how the 239 00:11:58,660 --> 00:12:00,860 rest of the world encounters America 240 00:12:01,740 --> 00:12:03,750 and you all Noah's well as anyone , 241 00:12:04,260 --> 00:12:06,427 that our country is safer and stronger 242 00:12:06,427 --> 00:12:08,260 when we lead , not just with the 243 00:12:08,260 --> 00:12:10,260 example of our power , but with the 244 00:12:10,260 --> 00:12:12,740 power of our example . As your 245 00:12:12,740 --> 00:12:14,629 commander in chief , I will never 246 00:12:14,629 --> 00:12:16,629 hesitate to use force to defend the 247 00:12:16,629 --> 00:12:18,518 vital interests of American , the 248 00:12:18,518 --> 00:12:20,629 American people and our allies around 249 00:12:20,629 --> 00:12:22,907 the world when necessary . The central , 250 00:12:22,907 --> 00:12:25,129 indispensable mission of the Department 251 00:12:25,129 --> 00:12:26,962 of Defense is that is , to deter 252 00:12:26,962 --> 00:12:29,018 aggression from our enemies and , if 253 00:12:29,018 --> 00:12:31,184 required to fight and win wars to keep 254 00:12:31,184 --> 00:12:33,140 America safe . But I believe force 255 00:12:33,140 --> 00:12:35,400 should be a tool of last resort . Not 256 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:38,370 first . I understand the full weight of 257 00:12:38,370 --> 00:12:41,220 what it means to ask young , proud 258 00:12:41,220 --> 00:12:44,430 Americans to stand in the breach , as 259 00:12:44,430 --> 00:12:46,486 was referenced by the secretary . My 260 00:12:46,486 --> 00:12:48,541 son both served in Iraq for a year . 261 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:51,096 I'm the first president , 40 years , 262 00:12:51,096 --> 00:12:53,151 I'm told , who had a son or daughter 263 00:12:53,151 --> 00:12:55,207 who served in a war zone . So I know 264 00:12:55,207 --> 00:12:57,207 what it's like . Being commander in 265 00:12:57,207 --> 00:12:59,429 chief is an enormous responsibility and 266 00:12:59,429 --> 00:13:02,200 one that I will never take lightly or 267 00:13:02,210 --> 00:13:05,170 easily . I will work with Secretary 268 00:13:05,170 --> 00:13:07,337 Austin and leaders around the world to 269 00:13:07,337 --> 00:13:09,410 bring responsible and responsible in 270 00:13:09,410 --> 00:13:11,521 the wars that have dragged on for far 271 00:13:11,521 --> 00:13:14,340 too long . While continuing to ensure 272 00:13:14,340 --> 00:13:16,118 that terrorist threats cannot n 273 00:13:16,118 --> 00:13:18,396 dangerous security the American people . 274 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:21,850 I also know that you are essential to 275 00:13:21,850 --> 00:13:24,590 the work of our diplomacy . Not only is 276 00:13:24,590 --> 00:13:27,260 the element guarantor of our security , 277 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,740 but as diplomats yourself . I got to 278 00:13:30,740 --> 00:13:32,840 know Secretary Austin when he was 279 00:13:32,840 --> 00:13:35,560 serving his commander of US forces in 280 00:13:35,560 --> 00:13:37,980 Iraq . It wasn't just his excellent 281 00:13:37,980 --> 00:13:40,202 military leadership of the many times I 282 00:13:40,202 --> 00:13:42,860 met him there and the strategy . He was 283 00:13:42,860 --> 00:13:45,310 a consummate diplomat as well . He 284 00:13:45,310 --> 00:13:47,421 worked closely with our ambassador to 285 00:13:47,421 --> 00:13:49,588 build relationships with both civilian 286 00:13:49,588 --> 00:13:51,699 and military leaders of our coalition 287 00:13:51,699 --> 00:13:55,400 partners because we are better able to 288 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:57,790 project our power when we're amplifying 289 00:13:57,790 --> 00:14:00,012 our strength through our alliances . It 290 00:14:00,012 --> 00:14:02,700 was so important . There is no aspect 291 00:14:02,700 --> 00:14:04,422 of our agenda the 21st century 292 00:14:04,422 --> 00:14:06,533 leadership where the women and men of 293 00:14:06,533 --> 00:14:08,589 the Defense Department do not have a 294 00:14:08,589 --> 00:14:10,644 role , whether it's helping curb the 295 00:14:10,644 --> 00:14:12,756 pandemic here , a home and around the 296 00:14:12,756 --> 00:14:14,922 world , or addressing the real threats 297 00:14:14,922 --> 00:14:17,089 of climate change that already costing 298 00:14:17,089 --> 00:14:19,480 us billions and impacts on our basis on 299 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:22,060 our national security or being part of 300 00:14:22,060 --> 00:14:24,190 an ongoing fight for racial justice . 301 00:14:24,740 --> 00:14:27,080 You are essential toe how we must re 302 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:30,100 think and re prioritize our security to 303 00:14:30,100 --> 00:14:32,211 meet the challenges of this century , 304 00:14:32,270 --> 00:14:35,010 not the last . We need to take on the 305 00:14:35,010 --> 00:14:37,121 dangers and opportunities of emerging 306 00:14:37,121 --> 00:14:39,670 technologies , enhance our capabilities 307 00:14:39,670 --> 00:14:42,520 in cyberspace , ensure that we are 308 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:44,390 positioned to lead a new era of 309 00:14:44,390 --> 00:14:47,060 competition from the deep sea to outer 310 00:14:47,060 --> 00:14:49,840 space . And we need to meet the growing 311 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,220 challenges posed by China to keep peace 312 00:14:52,220 --> 00:14:54,276 and defend our interests in the Indo 313 00:14:54,276 --> 00:14:57,140 Pacific and globally . Today , I was 314 00:14:57,140 --> 00:15:00,920 briefed on a new uh D o D Y . China 315 00:15:00,920 --> 00:15:03,120 Task Force that Secretary Austin is 316 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,342 standing up to look at our strategy and 317 00:15:05,342 --> 00:15:07,453 operational concepts , technology and 318 00:15:07,453 --> 00:15:10,210 force posture and so much more . The 319 00:15:10,210 --> 00:15:12,570 task force will work quickly , drawing 320 00:15:12,570 --> 00:15:14,792 on civilian and military experts across 321 00:15:14,792 --> 00:15:16,959 the department to provide , within the 322 00:15:16,959 --> 00:15:18,903 next few months recommendations to 323 00:15:18,903 --> 00:15:21,180 Senator Austin on key priorities and 324 00:15:21,180 --> 00:15:23,880 decision points so that we can charge a 325 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,540 strong path forward on China related 326 00:15:26,540 --> 00:15:29,250 matters . It will require a whole of 327 00:15:29,250 --> 00:15:31,660 government effort , bipartisan 328 00:15:31,660 --> 00:15:33,880 cooperation in Congress and strong 329 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,920 alliances and partnerships . That's how 330 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:38,864 we'll meet the China Challenge and 331 00:15:38,864 --> 00:15:40,864 ensure the American people when the 332 00:15:40,864 --> 00:15:44,580 competition of the future . You know , 333 00:15:44,740 --> 00:15:46,962 the incredible individuals who serve in 334 00:15:46,962 --> 00:15:48,462 our armed forces . You are 335 00:15:48,462 --> 00:15:50,790 unquestionably part of the finest 336 00:15:50,790 --> 00:15:52,846 fighting force in the history of the 337 00:15:52,846 --> 00:15:55,630 world . Your warriors . The work you do 338 00:15:55,640 --> 00:15:57,862 each and every day is vital to ensuring 339 00:15:57,862 --> 00:15:59,973 the American people , your families , 340 00:15:59,973 --> 00:16:02,196 friends and loved ones are able to live 341 00:16:02,196 --> 00:16:04,084 in peace and security and growing 342 00:16:04,084 --> 00:16:07,580 prosperity . And for those of you who 343 00:16:07,590 --> 00:16:09,701 raise your hands to sign up , to wear 344 00:16:09,701 --> 00:16:11,812 the uniform of the United States , we 345 00:16:11,812 --> 00:16:14,770 owe you an incredible debt . I've said 346 00:16:14,770 --> 00:16:17,670 for many years less than 1% of 347 00:16:17,670 --> 00:16:20,690 America's do what you do . Put yourself 348 00:16:20,690 --> 00:16:23,020 in the line for the rest of the 99% of 349 00:16:23,020 --> 00:16:26,670 the Americans , you represent the 99% 350 00:16:26,670 --> 00:16:29,770 of us . Oh , you . We owe it to you to 351 00:16:29,770 --> 00:16:31,530 keep the faith with our sacred 352 00:16:31,530 --> 00:16:34,280 obligation to properly prepare and 353 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:36,447 equip you when we send you into harm's 354 00:16:36,447 --> 00:16:38,280 way and to care for you and your 355 00:16:38,280 --> 00:16:40,502 families both while you're deployed and 356 00:16:40,502 --> 00:16:42,640 after you return home . You're 357 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,473 incredible heroes and incredible 358 00:16:44,473 --> 00:16:47,120 patriots . I will never , ever 359 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,700 dishonest dishonor you . I will never 360 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:52,530 disrespect you . I will never 361 00:16:52,530 --> 00:16:56,000 politicize the work you do . That goes 362 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:58,167 for our civilian professionals as well 363 00:16:58,167 --> 00:17:00,760 as a career military . As I've said , 364 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:03,750 this is personal for me . The Biden 365 00:17:03,750 --> 00:17:05,694 family is the military family . We 366 00:17:05,694 --> 00:17:07,694 learned firsthand some of what your 367 00:17:07,694 --> 00:17:09,760 loved ones experienced . When Bo was 368 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,950 deployed direct for a year with his 369 00:17:11,950 --> 00:17:14,061 unit in the Delaware National Guard , 370 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:16,462 we dealt with the stress of his absence 371 00:17:16,462 --> 00:17:18,573 in the daily joys from the daily joys 372 00:17:18,573 --> 00:17:20,940 of life , and we worry constantly about 373 00:17:20,940 --> 00:17:23,950 a safe return . We felt overwhelming 374 00:17:23,950 --> 00:17:26,283 pride in his courage and his patriotism . 375 00:17:26,940 --> 00:17:29,360 You're all the best our country has to 376 00:17:29,360 --> 00:17:31,810 offer . You live by a creative , 377 00:17:31,820 --> 00:17:35,020 selfless sacrifice and for many of you , 378 00:17:35,130 --> 00:17:37,130 the journey to service has not been 379 00:17:37,130 --> 00:17:40,480 easy . February is Black History Month . 380 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:42,369 As a vice president pointed out , 381 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:44,473 Before we leave today , the vice 382 00:17:44,473 --> 00:17:46,473 president Harris and I are going to 383 00:17:46,473 --> 00:17:48,696 visit the whole honoring a long history 384 00:17:48,696 --> 00:17:50,751 of black Americans fighting for this 385 00:17:50,751 --> 00:17:52,973 country , even when their contributions 386 00:17:52,973 --> 00:17:55,084 were not always recognized or honored 387 00:17:55,084 --> 00:17:57,307 appropriately . But those contributions 388 00:17:57,307 --> 00:17:59,196 have nevertheless helped push our 389 00:17:59,196 --> 00:18:01,970 country toward greater equality , from 390 00:18:01,970 --> 00:18:04,026 the bravery of the free and enslaved 391 00:18:04,026 --> 00:18:06,248 descendants of Africans who fought with 392 00:18:06,248 --> 00:18:08,470 the colonial forces in our revolution , 393 00:18:08,620 --> 00:18:10,731 to the black regiments , to join , to 394 00:18:10,731 --> 00:18:13,220 fight for the union and for their own 395 00:18:13,220 --> 00:18:15,460 freedom in the Civil War . To the 396 00:18:15,460 --> 00:18:17,627 Buffalo soldiers , including Henry O . 397 00:18:17,627 --> 00:18:19,682 Flipper , the first African American 398 00:18:19,682 --> 00:18:23,570 graduate of West Point , and Kathy 399 00:18:23,580 --> 00:18:25,691 Williams , the first African American 400 00:18:25,691 --> 00:18:27,858 woman Kathy who enlisted in the United 401 00:18:27,858 --> 00:18:30,380 States Army . Imagine the incredible 402 00:18:30,380 --> 00:18:32,960 love it must have taken for the proud 403 00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:36,130 Tuskegee Tuskegee airman to fly more 404 00:18:36,130 --> 00:18:39,500 than 15,000 sorties in battle when 405 00:18:39,500 --> 00:18:41,278 their own freedom was not fully 406 00:18:41,278 --> 00:18:44,170 realized in their own country . Imagine 407 00:18:44,170 --> 00:18:47,060 the determination of Roscoe Robinson , 408 00:18:47,540 --> 00:18:49,980 who started at West 0.1 year before 409 00:18:49,980 --> 00:18:51,813 Harry Truman issued the order to 410 00:18:51,813 --> 00:18:53,950 officially to segregate the armed 411 00:18:53,950 --> 00:18:57,060 forces and a rose to become the first 412 00:18:57,130 --> 00:18:59,186 African American four star general . 413 00:19:00,340 --> 00:19:03,160 Imagine the bravery of the 22 African 414 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:05,216 Americans awarded the Medal of Honor 415 00:19:05,216 --> 00:19:07,271 for their service in the Vietnam War 416 00:19:07,271 --> 00:19:09,327 while struggling for civil rights at 417 00:19:09,327 --> 00:19:12,500 home was continuing . It's all part of 418 00:19:12,500 --> 00:19:14,444 a long history of barrier breaking 419 00:19:14,444 --> 00:19:17,340 service right now , more than 420 00:19:17,340 --> 00:19:20,780 40% or active duty forces or people of 421 00:19:20,780 --> 00:19:24,760 color . It's long past time that 422 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:26,982 the full diversity and full strength of 423 00:19:26,982 --> 00:19:29,149 our forces reflected at every level in 424 00:19:29,149 --> 00:19:30,927 this department , including our 425 00:19:30,927 --> 00:19:33,120 secretary of defense . This 426 00:19:33,120 --> 00:19:35,070 organization thrives and succeeds 427 00:19:35,070 --> 00:19:37,181 become of our because of our people . 428 00:19:37,740 --> 00:19:39,740 So the final point I'd like to make 429 00:19:39,740 --> 00:19:41,573 today is to give you my personal 430 00:19:41,573 --> 00:19:43,573 commitment that this administration 431 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,496 from myself and the vice president , 432 00:19:46,496 --> 00:19:48,662 Harris the secretary Austin on down is 433 00:19:48,662 --> 00:19:50,880 dedicated , assuring that every single 434 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:53,840 person is treated with dignity and 435 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,530 respect . That's why we moved so 436 00:19:56,530 --> 00:19:58,808 quickly to overturn the discriminatory , 437 00:19:58,808 --> 00:20:01,110 discriminatory ban on transgender 438 00:20:01,110 --> 00:20:03,030 service on why General , also , 439 00:20:03,030 --> 00:20:05,920 Austin's first memo was the director to 440 00:20:05,920 --> 00:20:08,031 take a sexual assault in the military 441 00:20:08,031 --> 00:20:11,580 seriously , Every single person , no 442 00:20:11,580 --> 00:20:14,100 matter their gender identity , sexual 443 00:20:14,100 --> 00:20:15,920 orientation , race or religious 444 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,580 background , deserves to feel safe in 445 00:20:18,580 --> 00:20:20,247 the ranks and they have their 446 00:20:20,247 --> 00:20:23,510 contributions value . It's on all of us 447 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:27,030 to stand up , to speak out when you see 448 00:20:27,030 --> 00:20:29,780 someone being abused . This is an 449 00:20:29,780 --> 00:20:32,140 organization that is defined American , 450 00:20:32,150 --> 00:20:34,530 assuming defeated American enemies on 451 00:20:34,530 --> 00:20:36,910 land , sea and air and been defined by 452 00:20:36,910 --> 00:20:39,280 the way we treat others . So I know 453 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:42,100 this is not beyond us . Not if each of 454 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:45,110 us makes this a priority as well . So 455 00:20:45,110 --> 00:20:47,166 thank you for welcoming us Secretary 456 00:20:47,166 --> 00:20:49,380 Austin . It's good to be back in the 457 00:20:49,380 --> 00:20:52,020 Pentagon . I wish I could meet more of 458 00:20:52,020 --> 00:20:54,020 you in person today . But I look 459 00:20:54,020 --> 00:20:56,187 forward to spending more time with you 460 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:58,662 and all the places you serve around the 461 00:20:58,662 --> 00:21:01,290 world . I know this is the honor of my 462 00:21:01,290 --> 00:21:04,070 lifetime . The honor of my lifetime . 463 00:21:04,460 --> 00:21:06,793 Isas , serve as your commander in chief . 464 00:21:07,540 --> 00:21:09,373 Thank you . What you do for this 465 00:21:09,373 --> 00:21:12,470 country , may God bless you and protect 466 00:21:12,470 --> 00:21:14,526 you . And may God protect our troops 467 00:21:14,526 --> 00:21:16,860 deployed around the world . Every 468 00:21:16,870 --> 00:21:19,780 single one of you . Thank you . Thank 469 00:21:19,780 --> 00:21:20,550 you . Thank you .