WEBVTT 00:00.200 --> 00:02.144 During which the commandant of the 00:02.144 --> 00:04.144 Marine Corps General David H Berger 00:04.144 --> 00:06.256 will relinquish command of the United 00:06.256 --> 00:06.190 States Marine Corps . 00:23.379 --> 00:25.323 Please rise for the arrival of the 00:25.323 --> 00:26.323 official party . 01:00.200 --> 01:01.922 Please remain standing for the 01:01.922 --> 01:04.033 invocation which will be delivered by 01:04.033 --> 01:06.256 the chaplain of the Marine Corps . Rear 01:06.256 --> 01:08.478 Admiral carry H cash , Chaplain Corps , 01:08.478 --> 01:12.330 United States Navy . I invite you to 01:12.339 --> 01:13.339 pray with me 01:17.209 --> 01:19.449 is red . In whose strength , the 01:19.459 --> 01:21.515 warrior is made ready for the day of 01:21.515 --> 01:23.737 battle and to whom nations must one day 01:23.737 --> 01:26.099 answer into your hands . We commend 01:26.110 --> 01:28.290 this ceremony that the words of our 01:28.300 --> 01:30.189 mouths and the meditations of our 01:30.189 --> 01:33.870 hearts be acceptable in thy sight for 01:33.879 --> 01:35.990 General David Berger who relinquishes 01:35.990 --> 01:38.410 his duties as our 38 commandant . We 01:38.419 --> 01:40.989 give you thanks standing amidst the 01:41.000 --> 01:43.111 current of a world moving at alarming 01:43.111 --> 01:45.959 speed . General Berger has led Marines 01:45.970 --> 01:47.819 and the Marine Corps to discern 01:47.830 --> 01:50.339 innovate change and overcome 01:51.190 --> 01:53.529 immovable in what matters the most . 01:53.779 --> 01:56.779 The Marine and his rifle General Berger 01:56.790 --> 01:58.568 has been a change agent for our 01:58.568 --> 02:01.059 National defense . Bless his efforts . 02:01.069 --> 02:03.349 Oh Lord , where those efforts have made 02:03.360 --> 02:05.693 our Marine Corps more effective Marines , 02:05.693 --> 02:08.020 more faithful and this nation more 02:08.029 --> 02:11.330 secure help He and Donna see that you 02:11.339 --> 02:13.509 are the one who has sustained them 02:13.520 --> 02:16.690 these many years for you are always 02:16.699 --> 02:19.529 faithful and you will remain always 02:19.539 --> 02:21.650 faithful for the future . They cannot 02:21.650 --> 02:25.179 fully see at peace . Are they whose 02:25.190 --> 02:28.339 minds are stayed on you ? Oh God , may 02:28.350 --> 02:31.020 the burgers look unto you this day as 02:31.029 --> 02:33.270 they call to mind the past and welcome 02:33.279 --> 02:35.850 the future for that leader who will 02:35.860 --> 02:38.027 take up the mantle that General Berger 02:38.027 --> 02:40.027 relinquishes . We ask your abundant 02:40.027 --> 02:42.389 provision of God in the midst of this 02:42.399 --> 02:45.009 sea change . Grant unto our acting 02:45.020 --> 02:47.440 commandant General Smith , your grace . 02:48.289 --> 02:50.511 And on that day , when a new commandant 02:50.511 --> 02:52.622 is named , we ask that you imbue that 02:52.630 --> 02:55.139 leader with moral rigor , a heart 02:55.149 --> 02:57.860 singular in purpose , wisdom and 02:57.869 --> 03:01.259 courage , humility and the fear of God . 03:02.139 --> 03:04.839 As the psalmist declares , the Lord is 03:04.850 --> 03:07.600 my strength and my shield , my heart 03:07.610 --> 03:10.279 trusts in Him and I am helped 03:11.199 --> 03:13.470 be our shield . Oh God , now and 03:13.479 --> 03:16.880 forever more from every peril to the 03:16.889 --> 03:18.410 core I'm in . 03:20.690 --> 03:21.940 Please be seated . 04:39.820 --> 04:41.431 We begin our ceremony with a 04:41.431 --> 04:43.653 performance by the United States Marine 04:43.653 --> 04:46.579 dr and people formed in 1934 known as 04:46.589 --> 04:48.311 the Commandant Zone . The unit 04:48.311 --> 04:51.130 celebrates over 88 years of a musical 04:51.140 --> 04:53.570 excellence . This is thinking of being 04:53.579 --> 04:55.523 the only drug people who currently 04:55.523 --> 04:57.135 serving in the United States 05:00.329 --> 05:02.496 by Robert Jaker , written as a tribute 05:02.496 --> 05:04.440 to the men and women of the United 05:04.440 --> 05:06.440 States Marine Corps , appropriately 05:06.440 --> 05:08.662 entitled Esri de Corp Marine Barracks , 05:08.662 --> 05:10.779 Washington DC probably presents the 05:10.790 --> 05:12.957 Commandant Zone , United States Marine 05:12.957 --> 05:14.123 Drum and Bugle Corps 07:57.480 --> 07:59.369 with a unique blend of Latin jazz 07:59.369 --> 08:01.630 standards made famous by artists Johnny 08:01.640 --> 08:04.230 Richards and Arturo Sandoval , Ken Sabe 08:04.369 --> 08:06.091 and La Virgen de La Macarena . 12:28.450 --> 12:30.672 The concert will close with one of this 12:30.672 --> 12:32.839 nation's most popular songs of Freedom 12:32.839 --> 12:34.506 battle Hymn of the Republic . 16:20.979 --> 16:21.979 Go on . 20:32.400 --> 20:33.400 Bye . 21:06.489 --> 21:07.489 That 21:56.729 --> 21:58.951 please rise for the presentation of the 21:58.951 --> 22:01.118 colors and the playing of our national 22:01.118 --> 22:00.859 anthem . 23:49.400 --> 23:50.400 Yeah , 24:14.050 --> 24:15.050 44 . 24:24.680 --> 24:25.680 Yeah , 24:49.119 --> 24:49.660 thanks . 25:33.630 --> 25:34.686 Please be seated , 25:46.250 --> 25:50.010 sir . The greatest forms take your post , 25:50.020 --> 25:50.569 sir . 26:02.310 --> 26:04.290 That dropped . 26:06.939 --> 26:07.709 Search 26:12.260 --> 26:12.650 God 26:25.229 --> 26:26.739 right ? So 26:40.189 --> 26:40.540 Jo , 26:53.199 --> 26:54.339 oh yeah , 27:04.020 --> 27:06.790 so work put . 27:28.900 --> 27:30.900 It is a privilege to welcome as our 27:30.900 --> 27:33.011 presiding official this morning , the 27:33.011 --> 27:35.067 Secretary of Defense , the honorable 27:35.067 --> 27:37.400 Lloyd J . Austin . Ladies and gentlemen , 27:37.400 --> 27:39.622 please rise for honors to the Secretary 27:39.622 --> 27:40.622 of Defense . 27:55.900 --> 27:56.900 Mhm . 28:02.959 --> 28:03.959 No , 30:55.020 --> 30:56.229 please be seated . 31:02.359 --> 31:04.415 Now , entering the reviewing area is 31:04.415 --> 31:06.359 the Commandant of the Marine Corps 31:06.359 --> 31:08.400 General David H Berger . Ladies and 31:08.410 --> 31:10.521 gentlemen , please rise for honors to 31:10.521 --> 31:11.521 General Berger . 32:02.520 --> 32:05.719 Ok , accompanying General Berger is the 32:05.729 --> 32:07.673 assistant commandant of the Marine 32:07.673 --> 32:09.359 Corps General Eric M Smith . 32:19.520 --> 32:21.242 Please remain standing for the 32:21.242 --> 32:23.353 relinquishment of the battle color of 32:23.353 --> 32:25.187 the Marine Corps , which will be 32:25.187 --> 32:27.242 facilitated by the sergeant major of 32:27.242 --> 32:29.409 the Marine Corps , Sergeant Major Troy 32:29.409 --> 32:31.520 E Black . The assistant commandant of 32:31.520 --> 32:31.339 the Marine Corps will accept the battle 32:31.349 --> 32:33.349 color from General Berger and shall 32:33.349 --> 32:35.405 perform the duties of the commandant 32:35.405 --> 32:37.238 until a successor is appointed . 32:40.270 --> 32:42.660 Deliver the collars for the coming onto 32:42.670 --> 32:43.670 the rain corps 33:32.290 --> 33:34.040 attention to orders 33:39.160 --> 33:41.859 President of the United States , two 33:41.869 --> 33:44.199 General David H Berger , United States 33:44.209 --> 33:46.890 Marine Corps subject relinquishment of 33:46.900 --> 33:50.589 office effective 10 July 2023 . You 33:50.599 --> 33:52.710 will stand detached from your present 33:52.710 --> 33:56.219 station and duties at 2359 on 31 33:56.229 --> 33:58.969 August 2023 you will be released from 33:58.979 --> 34:02.310 active duty on 1 September 2023 . You 34:02.319 --> 34:04.208 will transfer to the Marine Corps 34:04.208 --> 34:06.041 officers retired list . You will 34:06.041 --> 34:08.350 complete 42 years cumulative service of 34:08.360 --> 34:11.399 which 42 years is active service for 34:11.409 --> 34:13.370 the President Lloyd J . Austin . 34:13.649 --> 34:15.330 Secretary of Defense . 34:59.719 --> 35:00.969 Please be seated . 35:08.159 --> 35:10.381 Ladies and gentlemen , this morning , a 35:10.381 --> 35:12.159 private retirement ceremony was 35:12.159 --> 35:14.270 conducted in the Marine Family Garden 35:14.270 --> 35:16.326 for General Berger . During which he 35:16.326 --> 35:18.492 received several auditory letters from 35:18.492 --> 35:20.381 such distinguished persons as the 35:20.381 --> 35:22.437 president of the United States , the 35:22.437 --> 35:24.659 Secretary of Defense , the Secretary of 35:24.659 --> 35:26.826 the Navy and many others . Please join 35:26.826 --> 35:28.548 us in congratulating our 38 th 35:28.548 --> 35:30.603 commandant on his most distinguished 35:30.603 --> 35:29.830 career . 36:17.080 --> 36:18.969 Ladies and gentlemen , now in the 36:18.969 --> 36:20.747 reviewing area is the assistant 36:20.747 --> 36:22.913 commandant of the Marine Corps General 36:22.913 --> 36:25.024 Eric M Smith . Please rise for honors 36:25.024 --> 36:26.080 to General Smith . 36:43.860 --> 36:44.860 Yeah , 37:14.129 --> 37:15.300 please be seated . 37:20.459 --> 37:22.681 Ladies and gentlemen , the Secretary of 37:22.681 --> 37:24.681 Defense and General Berger will now 37:24.681 --> 37:26.681 join General Smith in the reviewing 37:26.681 --> 37:28.181 area for pass and review . 37:40.020 --> 37:43.429 What's the command in ? Review ? My eye , 37:43.439 --> 37:43.889 sir . 37:55.550 --> 37:56.040 Right , 38:26.800 --> 38:27.169 like 39:08.800 --> 39:09.800 in . 41:21.770 --> 41:22.770 Yeah . 42:28.679 --> 42:29.679 Ok . 42:46.919 --> 42:49.459 Right . Right . Right . 43:14.530 --> 43:16.752 Ladies and gentlemen , the Secretary of 43:16.752 --> 43:18.641 Defense , the honorable Lloyd J . 43:18.641 --> 43:19.641 Austin . 43:32.310 --> 43:34.477 Well , good morning , everyone . It is 43:34.477 --> 43:37.830 indeed an honor to be here at Marine 43:37.840 --> 43:40.949 Barracks , Washington , which is the 43:40.959 --> 43:43.949 oldest active post in the United States 43:43.959 --> 43:47.669 Marine Corps . I think the performance 43:47.679 --> 43:50.550 that we saw this morning was just 43:50.560 --> 43:52.782 absolutely outstanding . And I know you 43:52.782 --> 43:54.893 would agree . Let's give them another 43:54.893 --> 43:54.120 round of applause . 44:03.939 --> 44:06.139 It's great to see Secretary Del Toro 44:06.149 --> 44:08.929 and General Milley and so many other 44:09.020 --> 44:11.060 military leaders and distinguished 44:11.070 --> 44:14.429 guests , friends and family members . 44:15.840 --> 44:17.618 I'm delighted to be with you to 44:17.618 --> 44:19.899 celebrate the career of an outstanding 44:19.909 --> 44:23.270 marine . Our 38 commandant of the 44:23.280 --> 44:26.929 Marine Corps General David Berger , but 44:26.939 --> 44:30.290 he would be the first to tell you that 44:30.300 --> 44:33.219 today is a celebration of all of our 44:33.229 --> 44:36.649 outstanding marines for 44:36.659 --> 44:39.209 2.5 centuries . Us marines have been 44:39.219 --> 44:42.239 proudly the first to fight . 44:43.739 --> 44:46.520 They fought with valor on beaches in 44:46.530 --> 44:49.659 cities and in jungles . Their 44:49.669 --> 44:52.879 commitment to our democracy and to 44:52.889 --> 44:55.350 their brothers and sisters in arms is 44:55.360 --> 44:59.300 unbreakable and their courage has long 44:59.310 --> 45:01.679 been central to America's success on 45:01.689 --> 45:05.510 the battlefield . Today , we 45:05.520 --> 45:07.919 face a challenging new security 45:07.929 --> 45:11.070 landscape , but our marines are 45:11.080 --> 45:14.429 navigating it with the same grit power 45:14.750 --> 45:17.870 and resolve that have always set the 45:17.879 --> 45:21.110 core apart . And that's especially 45:21.120 --> 45:23.009 important in our primary field of 45:23.010 --> 45:25.639 operations . The Indo Pacific , 45:27.080 --> 45:29.649 you know , I was honored to visit 45:29.659 --> 45:31.492 earlier this year with some very 45:31.492 --> 45:34.629 impressive marines in Japan and the 45:34.639 --> 45:37.729 Philippines . And I got to see first 45:37.739 --> 45:40.389 hand , how the core is strengthening 45:40.399 --> 45:43.310 deterrent alongside our allies . 45:44.870 --> 45:46.648 And the Corps is hard at work . 45:46.648 --> 45:48.560 Standing up the 12 th Marine Lior 45:48.780 --> 45:52.179 regiment in Okinawa , which will make 45:52.189 --> 45:54.979 our joint force even more lethal 45:56.409 --> 45:58.187 marines are also central to our 45:58.187 --> 46:00.298 operations and deterrents in Europe . 46:01.330 --> 46:05.020 They train alongside our NATO allies on 46:05.030 --> 46:07.320 everything from cold weather operations 46:07.330 --> 46:10.760 to mountain warfare . And as Russia 46:10.770 --> 46:13.000 continues its cruel war of choice 46:13.010 --> 46:16.500 against Ukraine , our stand in force of 46:16.510 --> 46:19.409 Marines is critical for nato's 46:19.419 --> 46:21.600 deterrence and defense . 46:23.979 --> 46:27.439 In fact , it's hard to find a spot on 46:27.449 --> 46:30.280 the globe where marines aren't making 46:30.290 --> 46:34.040 it safer . And when a crisis erupts , 46:34.780 --> 46:37.250 we count on our marines to be ready for 46:37.260 --> 46:40.350 anything and to leap into action . 46:42.239 --> 46:44.406 And today as we work to strengthen our 46:44.406 --> 46:46.879 military for the great competitions 46:46.889 --> 46:50.500 ahead , the Marine Corps is 46:50.510 --> 46:54.169 absolutely central . The Force 46:54.179 --> 46:57.120 design 2030 plan outlines how the 46:57.129 --> 46:59.989 Marines will modernize the core to 47:00.000 --> 47:03.040 deepen America's deterrence and if 47:03.050 --> 47:06.360 necessary to fight and win wherever 47:06.370 --> 47:10.300 they must . And General Dave Berger 47:11.409 --> 47:13.360 has led this historic and 47:13.370 --> 47:17.100 transformational effort . He's done so 47:17.110 --> 47:20.989 with vision and creativity and 47:21.000 --> 47:24.580 boldness . He's not just willing to 47:24.590 --> 47:28.439 embrace change . He's eager to lead 47:28.449 --> 47:32.159 change . It's often 47:32.169 --> 47:34.290 said that militaries are always 47:34.300 --> 47:36.330 preparing to fight the last war . 47:37.770 --> 47:39.992 General Berger has been driving hard to 47:39.992 --> 47:43.909 deter the next war in his four 47:43.919 --> 47:46.770 years is coming up . He has focused 47:46.780 --> 47:50.229 relentlessly on the future fight . He 47:50.239 --> 47:53.770 has faced hard choices and he's faced 47:53.780 --> 47:57.020 them head on . He's encouraged creative 47:57.030 --> 48:00.510 thinking at every level of the core and 48:00.520 --> 48:03.229 he has pushed our department to 48:03.239 --> 48:06.139 redefine readiness for the 21st century . 48:09.199 --> 48:12.370 Now , despite all of his achievements , 48:13.729 --> 48:16.780 Dave is one of the most humble leaders 48:16.790 --> 48:20.379 in our inventory . In fact , he 48:20.389 --> 48:22.222 probably hates the fact that I'm 48:22.222 --> 48:25.570 talking about him right now , but I'm 48:25.580 --> 48:27.802 going to do it for a few more minutes , 48:27.802 --> 48:31.120 Dave . So just relax and deal with it . 48:35.879 --> 48:37.879 You know , anyone who has worked in 48:37.879 --> 48:40.101 government knows how tempting it can be 48:40.580 --> 48:43.340 to just kick the can down the road or 48:43.350 --> 48:45.570 to make do with the old wage for a 48:45.580 --> 48:48.820 little bit longer . But that's not Da 48:48.830 --> 48:52.159 Burger . His staff says that he has 48:52.169 --> 48:55.010 never once hit the easy button 48:56.580 --> 48:58.691 and that's been true throughout his , 48:58.691 --> 49:01.399 throughout his career as a young 49:01.409 --> 49:04.100 officer , General Berger did it all 49:05.280 --> 49:08.310 reconnaissance training , junk , master 49:08.320 --> 49:12.179 school , combat dive , you 49:12.189 --> 49:15.320 name it . He went on to command the 49:15.330 --> 49:17.497 first Marine Division in Afghanistan , 49:18.520 --> 49:20.989 the first Marine expeditionary force in 49:21.000 --> 49:24.679 Camp Pendleton and Fleet Marine Forces 49:24.689 --> 49:27.760 Pacific where he saw firsthand what it 49:27.770 --> 49:30.469 takes to deter aggression in the Indo 49:30.500 --> 49:34.250 Pacific . He is a warrior 49:34.260 --> 49:37.800 scholar . He's a tremendous 49:37.810 --> 49:41.699 communicator . He's a tireless advocate 49:41.709 --> 49:44.399 for younger marines and he's a great 49:44.409 --> 49:48.129 listener . In fact , General Berger 49:48.139 --> 49:51.260 believes that the more senior you get , 49:52.139 --> 49:55.949 the more important it is to listen to 49:55.959 --> 49:59.889 everyone no matter their rank or 49:59.899 --> 50:03.500 their title . Young majors on his 50:03.510 --> 50:05.689 staff . Recall that General Berger 50:05.699 --> 50:07.421 would ask them about their own 50:07.421 --> 50:09.643 experiences in the Corps and how things 50:09.643 --> 50:12.939 could work better . And for anyone with 50:12.949 --> 50:16.070 a good idea , he's always got an open 50:16.080 --> 50:18.540 door and an open mind . 50:21.790 --> 50:23.949 Now , if you ask General Berger , how 50:23.959 --> 50:27.080 he stays grounded , his answer is 50:27.090 --> 50:29.750 simple . His family 50:32.679 --> 50:34.790 and let me recognize General Berger's 50:34.790 --> 50:37.989 parents , JC and Martha and his wife , 50:38.000 --> 50:41.780 Donna and their four sons , Joseph 50:41.790 --> 50:44.360 Ryan Philip and Jeffrey . 50:46.530 --> 50:49.250 You know , there is nothing more 50:49.260 --> 50:52.260 important to Dave than family . 50:53.750 --> 50:55.750 He loves coaching his sons , sports 50:55.750 --> 50:58.840 teams bragging on their accomplishments 50:59.340 --> 51:01.396 and riding Four Wheelers back on the 51:01.396 --> 51:04.500 farm with his grandchildren . He takes 51:04.510 --> 51:07.000 leave just to spend time with his 51:07.010 --> 51:10.050 family and he turns his phone off so 51:10.060 --> 51:13.919 that he can be present . And Dave 51:13.929 --> 51:16.739 always makes clear to the teams that he 51:16.750 --> 51:19.889 leaves . Family comes first . 51:21.530 --> 51:23.641 He loves talking with his staff about 51:23.641 --> 51:26.260 what their families are up to and he 51:26.270 --> 51:28.520 encourages them to make sure that 51:28.530 --> 51:30.697 they're spending time with their loved 51:30.697 --> 51:34.620 ones . And that really makes a 51:34.629 --> 51:38.070 difference to marines at all levels of 51:38.080 --> 51:41.979 the core . So I want to thank 51:41.989 --> 51:45.330 Dave for his focus on family and I want 51:45.340 --> 51:47.550 to thank this outstanding military 51:47.560 --> 51:50.649 family for serving right alongside 51:50.659 --> 51:54.239 General Berger Donna . 51:55.949 --> 51:58.189 Thanks for all that you've done for our 51:58.199 --> 52:01.179 country in the United States Marine 52:01.189 --> 52:05.000 Corps and for your tireless work 52:05.010 --> 52:06.860 on behalf of our families . 52:10.219 --> 52:12.510 You know , this year marks 42 years 52:13.489 --> 52:17.270 since Dave became a marine in 42 years 52:17.280 --> 52:20.199 of marriage for Dave and Donna . 52:21.300 --> 52:23.469 So let's give it up for the both of 52:23.479 --> 52:24.479 them 52:33.739 --> 52:35.795 and to General Berger's Children and 52:35.795 --> 52:38.620 your families . Thanks for your love 52:38.629 --> 52:40.740 and support and for what you're doing 52:40.740 --> 52:42.899 to serve our country as well . 52:44.750 --> 52:48.310 You know , years ago , Dave and Donna 52:48.320 --> 52:51.090 had a conversation about whether he 52:51.100 --> 52:54.290 should stay in the marines and they 52:54.300 --> 52:57.090 decided that if he ever had three bad 52:57.100 --> 52:59.750 days in a row , he'd get out of the 52:59.760 --> 53:03.110 military . And General Berger 53:03.120 --> 53:06.320 says , and he's never had those three 53:06.330 --> 53:08.100 bad days in a row . 53:10.169 --> 53:12.058 So Dave , I want to thank you for 53:12.058 --> 53:13.891 everything that you have done to 53:13.891 --> 53:16.419 strengthen the Marine Corps and to 53:16.429 --> 53:18.310 defend the United States . 53:22.699 --> 53:24.840 Now , I know that everyone here is 53:24.850 --> 53:26.461 looking forward to the rapid 53:26.461 --> 53:28.889 confirmation of a distinguished 53:28.899 --> 53:32.889 successor to General Berger . You know , 53:32.899 --> 53:36.189 it's been more than a century since the 53:36.199 --> 53:39.540 US Marine Corps has operated without a 53:39.550 --> 53:41.383 senate . Confirmed , coming up , 53:43.149 --> 53:45.129 smooth and timely transitions of 53:45.139 --> 53:48.120 confirmed leadership are central to the 53:48.129 --> 53:51.659 defense of the United States and to the 53:51.669 --> 53:53.629 full strength of the most powerful 53:53.639 --> 53:55.979 fighting force in history . 53:57.709 --> 53:59.719 Stable and orderly leadership 53:59.729 --> 54:01.396 transitions are also vital to 54:01.396 --> 54:04.169 maintaining our unmatched network of 54:04.179 --> 54:07.010 allies and partners and they are 54:07.020 --> 54:09.199 crucial for our military readiness . 54:11.209 --> 54:13.419 And of course , our military families 54:14.419 --> 54:17.459 give up so much to support those who 54:17.469 --> 54:20.620 serve . So they shouldn't be weighed 54:20.629 --> 54:23.939 down with any extra uncertainty . 54:26.340 --> 54:28.840 We have a sacred duty to do right by 54:28.850 --> 54:31.719 those who volunteer to wear the cloth 54:31.729 --> 54:35.580 of our nation . And I remain confident 54:37.080 --> 54:39.302 that all Americans can come together to 54:39.302 --> 54:41.729 agree on that basic obligation to those 54:41.739 --> 54:45.719 who keep us safe . I am also 54:45.729 --> 54:48.679 confident that the United States Senate 54:48.689 --> 54:52.030 will meet its responsibilities and I 54:52.040 --> 54:53.651 look forward to welcoming an 54:53.651 --> 54:55.596 outstanding new commandant for our 54:55.596 --> 54:58.520 Marine Corps and to adding many other 54:58.530 --> 55:00.752 distinguished senior leaders across the 55:00.752 --> 55:01.752 joint force . 55:05.120 --> 55:07.064 You know , there's a saying in the 55:07.064 --> 55:10.250 Marines , we don't accept 55:10.260 --> 55:14.139 applications only commitments . 55:16.060 --> 55:19.639 And every day marines bring their 55:19.649 --> 55:22.800 trademark commitment , quiet but fierce . 55:24.520 --> 55:26.520 They bring that commitment to their 55:26.520 --> 55:29.879 teammates , to their commanders 55:30.429 --> 55:34.320 and to their country . That 55:34.330 --> 55:37.120 commitment has allowed America to fight 55:37.129 --> 55:39.590 and win countless battles across 55:39.600 --> 55:43.300 centuries . That 55:43.310 --> 55:47.000 commitment is what lets America race to 55:47.010 --> 55:49.620 the aid of those in need anywhere on 55:49.629 --> 55:53.520 the planet in that 55:53.530 --> 55:57.100 commitment is why I am confident 55:57.840 --> 55:59.969 that our military is ready to deter 55:59.979 --> 56:03.860 aggression wherever we can and to fight 56:03.899 --> 56:05.729 and win wherever we must 56:07.449 --> 56:11.209 today tomorrow and for 56:11.219 --> 56:15.010 decades to come . And 56:15.949 --> 56:18.429 I am confident that we will rise to the 56:18.439 --> 56:21.070 challenge of making our country 56:21.080 --> 56:24.219 stronger and making our world safer 56:27.050 --> 56:29.050 to our United States Marine Corps . 56:30.889 --> 56:34.300 Thank you for your unfailing commitment 56:34.310 --> 56:37.840 to our country into general 56:37.850 --> 56:41.800 Berger . Thank you for your unfailing 56:41.810 --> 56:44.120 commitment to our United States Marine 56:44.129 --> 56:47.830 Corps . May God bless you and your 56:47.840 --> 56:51.669 family . May God 56:51.679 --> 56:54.350 bless the United States Marine Corps 56:56.030 --> 56:58.729 and may God continue to bless the 56:58.739 --> 57:00.795 United States of America . Thank you 57:00.795 --> 57:01.795 very much . 57:21.800 --> 57:23.633 Ladies and gentlemen , the 38 th 57:23.633 --> 57:25.800 commandant of the Marine Corps General 57:25.800 --> 57:26.800 David H Berger . 57:38.350 --> 57:41.439 As the secretary pointed out , the band 57:41.449 --> 57:43.560 sounded phenomenal this morning , but 57:43.560 --> 57:46.129 of course , a ceremony like this takes 57:46.139 --> 57:48.979 a lot of pieces and parts to organize 57:48.989 --> 57:51.860 it to schedule it . So from the 57:51.870 --> 57:55.389 barracks here in security and protocol , 57:55.399 --> 57:57.989 the marching unit behind us , all the 57:58.000 --> 58:00.167 protocol team at headquarters , Marine 58:00.167 --> 58:03.389 Corps N CS for security . All of the 58:03.399 --> 58:05.719 people that had a hand in the ceremony . 58:05.729 --> 58:07.785 Can you please join me in ? Thanking 58:07.785 --> 58:08.785 them . 58:16.219 --> 58:18.580 I am very grateful Donna and I and the 58:18.590 --> 58:20.870 Smiths for folks who traveled here 58:20.879 --> 58:23.379 distances to get here . As you pointed 58:23.389 --> 58:25.979 out earlier . Some folks called this 58:25.989 --> 58:28.211 morning because of canceled flights for 58:28.211 --> 58:30.433 those who may get it here . Thank you . 58:30.669 --> 58:34.389 I begin quickly with my parents . This 58:34.399 --> 58:38.350 is where for me what the Marine Corps 58:38.360 --> 58:42.239 talks about in terms of values 58:42.250 --> 58:44.472 of honor , courage , and commitment . I 58:44.472 --> 58:46.528 got them before I came in the Marine 58:46.528 --> 58:48.780 Corps . I got them from my parents . 58:49.459 --> 58:51.348 They taught me about honor . They 58:51.348 --> 58:53.515 taught me about keeping my word . They 58:53.515 --> 58:55.070 taught all four of us about 58:55.070 --> 58:57.590 responsibility and about protecting the 58:57.600 --> 59:01.320 family more than that . Perhaps they 59:01.330 --> 59:03.830 didn't just teach us even sitting here 59:03.840 --> 59:07.149 in the front row today . They are our 59:07.159 --> 59:10.830 personal example . This is 59:10.840 --> 59:13.570 what right looks like . They have been 59:13.580 --> 59:15.919 married 67 years and they continue to 59:15.929 --> 59:17.580 be my role model . 59:24.080 --> 59:26.247 All of us serving in the military have 59:26.247 --> 59:28.959 friends from around the world . I won't 59:28.969 --> 59:31.540 go through all of them today . I am 59:31.550 --> 59:35.360 very grateful for 42 years of 59:35.370 --> 59:37.537 friendships that I think we will carry 59:37.537 --> 59:40.949 on long beyond this . Some of them here 59:40.959 --> 59:42.959 like the Bennetts and the buoys and 59:42.959 --> 59:45.015 some of them who called us yesterday 59:45.015 --> 59:47.126 and the day before like Jim and Carla 59:47.126 --> 59:49.949 Hogan from the west coast and so many 59:49.959 --> 59:53.540 other families , this is what makes the 59:53.550 --> 59:56.570 Marine Corps so special . I would also 59:56.580 --> 59:59.389 like to acknowledge the families like 59:59.399 --> 01:00:01.649 the Hogans who are gold star families 01:00:02.030 --> 01:00:04.510 who we have come to know , especially 01:00:04.520 --> 01:00:06.742 over the last four or five years . Much 01:00:06.742 --> 01:00:09.429 deeper . It is tough 01:00:10.610 --> 01:00:13.409 in combat to send 01:00:14.719 --> 01:00:17.129 marines home back to their families . 01:00:17.139 --> 01:00:19.250 And when you get back on this end and 01:00:19.250 --> 01:00:21.528 you see the strength of their families , 01:00:21.528 --> 01:00:23.583 the gold star families . It's simply 01:00:23.583 --> 01:00:26.969 amazing . I am grateful to Secretary 01:00:26.979 --> 01:00:29.229 Spencer , Richard Spencer . He took a 01:00:29.239 --> 01:00:32.340 chance on me four years ago , probably 01:00:32.350 --> 01:00:34.572 more than a chance , probably more like 01:00:34.572 --> 01:00:37.629 a gamble . But I am very grateful for 01:00:37.639 --> 01:00:40.459 you giving me the opportunity . I'm 01:00:40.469 --> 01:00:42.550 grateful for Secretary Del Toro 01:00:44.899 --> 01:00:46.843 who gave me the confidence to keep 01:00:46.843 --> 01:00:48.955 going and backed me every step of the 01:00:48.955 --> 01:00:50.955 way for the past two years since he 01:00:50.955 --> 01:00:53.379 came in . So I'm grateful for you being 01:00:53.389 --> 01:00:55.500 here and I'm grateful for your steady 01:00:55.500 --> 01:00:57.389 support and I'm grateful for your 01:00:57.389 --> 01:01:00.449 mentorship , the joint chiefs . I did 01:01:00.459 --> 01:01:02.520 not understand the role of a service 01:01:02.530 --> 01:01:05.939 chief until probably Joe 01:01:05.949 --> 01:01:08.550 Dunford explained it to me as pretty 01:01:08.560 --> 01:01:12.000 simple that you will have two roles run 01:01:12.010 --> 01:01:14.449 running the service and the other being 01:01:14.459 --> 01:01:16.919 a joint chief . And I asked him , 01:01:18.350 --> 01:01:20.572 how did he spend his time between those 01:01:20.572 --> 01:01:22.600 two roles ? Very easy for him to 01:01:22.610 --> 01:01:24.850 respond . He said you can make a 01:01:24.860 --> 01:01:26.989 mistake as a commandant , the Marine 01:01:27.000 --> 01:01:29.639 Corps will cover for you . But when it 01:01:29.649 --> 01:01:31.427 comes to giving advice , giving 01:01:31.427 --> 01:01:33.427 recommendations to the Secretary of 01:01:33.427 --> 01:01:35.538 Defense to the President , you cannot 01:01:35.538 --> 01:01:37.989 get that wrong . And I took that to 01:01:38.000 --> 01:01:40.530 heart . I am very grateful for my 01:01:40.540 --> 01:01:43.209 fellow joint chiefs that are here . We 01:01:43.219 --> 01:01:45.441 talked about what was important for our 01:01:45.449 --> 01:01:48.050 service . But in the end , in the end , 01:01:48.939 --> 01:01:51.050 we met with the chairman and told him 01:01:51.050 --> 01:01:53.161 what's best for the whole force . And 01:01:53.161 --> 01:01:54.995 chairman , I'm grateful for your 01:01:54.995 --> 01:01:57.050 leadership and I'm grateful for your 01:01:57.050 --> 01:01:59.106 friendship and I'm grateful for what 01:01:59.106 --> 01:02:01.328 you did from Iraq to Afghanistan to all 01:02:01.328 --> 01:02:03.439 the Friday sessions in the tank where 01:02:03.439 --> 01:02:05.610 you put the nation and the service , 01:02:05.620 --> 01:02:07.787 men and women and their families first 01:02:07.787 --> 01:02:10.009 and you and Polly two months from now , 01:02:10.009 --> 01:02:11.842 we'll be there cheering from the 01:02:11.842 --> 01:02:13.939 bleachers , Sergeant major Black and 01:02:13.949 --> 01:02:16.699 Stacey . We grew up in the Marine Corps 01:02:16.709 --> 01:02:18.870 serving alongside a senior enlisted 01:02:18.879 --> 01:02:21.360 leader . We're so blessed to have a 01:02:21.370 --> 01:02:23.481 sergeant major from the time you're a 01:02:23.481 --> 01:02:26.010 lieutenant colonel on had no idea 01:02:27.530 --> 01:02:29.530 that becoming commandant . It would 01:02:29.530 --> 01:02:32.010 take it to another level . We traveled 01:02:32.020 --> 01:02:34.187 with the Blacks everywhere . I made no 01:02:34.187 --> 01:02:38.000 decisions . None . Without long one 01:02:38.010 --> 01:02:40.530 on one discussions with Sergeant Major 01:02:40.540 --> 01:02:44.100 Troy Black . I have been so 01:02:44.110 --> 01:02:46.277 blessed Don and I have been so blessed 01:02:46.277 --> 01:02:48.166 to know the two of them to become 01:02:48.166 --> 01:02:50.879 lifelong friends with them . The Marine 01:02:50.889 --> 01:02:53.639 Corps is in great hands , in dismissed 01:02:53.649 --> 01:02:56.590 hands and the whole joint force 01:02:57.469 --> 01:02:59.709 is in great hands with the senior 01:02:59.719 --> 01:03:03.239 enlisted senses and common sense 01:03:04.000 --> 01:03:06.167 of Sergeant major , Troy Black and his 01:03:06.167 --> 01:03:09.139 wife , Stacey . Every commander has a 01:03:09.149 --> 01:03:11.149 phenomenal staff . I was blessed to 01:03:11.149 --> 01:03:13.360 have that . And commanders around the 01:03:13.370 --> 01:03:16.699 world , you don't need to micromanage 01:03:16.709 --> 01:03:18.765 when you have leaders like that . In 01:03:18.765 --> 01:03:20.919 fact , the hardest thing to do is try 01:03:20.929 --> 01:03:23.659 to keep up , which I probably was not 01:03:23.669 --> 01:03:26.780 very successful at . I'm thankful to 01:03:26.790 --> 01:03:29.012 everyone at headquarters Marine Corps , 01:03:29.012 --> 01:03:31.068 all the deputy commandants , all the 01:03:31.068 --> 01:03:33.060 commanders around the world . I'm 01:03:33.070 --> 01:03:35.292 grateful for all the marines . I got to 01:03:35.292 --> 01:03:37.919 serve alongside . This is a privilege . 01:03:39.379 --> 01:03:41.709 All of us who are generals , admirals 01:03:41.719 --> 01:03:43.886 know that we could have been sent home 01:03:43.886 --> 01:03:46.108 a long time ago and been really happy , 01:03:46.340 --> 01:03:48.939 really fulfilled . We live on borrowed 01:03:48.949 --> 01:03:52.750 time and we feel like it . I'm grateful 01:03:52.760 --> 01:03:54.593 for every single marine I served 01:03:54.600 --> 01:03:55.350 alongside 01:04:09.060 --> 01:04:11.004 all the former commandants told me 01:04:11.004 --> 01:04:13.227 about the fire trucks two blocks up . I 01:04:13.227 --> 01:04:15.489 had no idea . You're getting a small 01:04:15.500 --> 01:04:19.489 taste of it . Yeah . When you're 01:04:19.500 --> 01:04:21.667 the commandant , when you're a general 01:04:21.667 --> 01:04:23.833 officer , you have sometimes both Aids 01:04:23.833 --> 01:04:25.722 and enlisted aides . We have been 01:04:25.722 --> 01:04:27.722 blessed to have both . I won't call 01:04:27.722 --> 01:04:29.833 them out by name . We cannot function 01:04:29.833 --> 01:04:32.199 without them and they make us and the 01:04:32.209 --> 01:04:34.265 Marine Corps and all of our services 01:04:34.265 --> 01:04:37.070 look 100% sharp every day , 01:04:38.729 --> 01:04:41.620 Donna . This is my soulmate . We have 01:04:41.629 --> 01:04:44.520 been married 42 years . She could 01:04:44.530 --> 01:04:46.780 certainly trade up . I don't have that 01:04:46.790 --> 01:04:50.570 option . We met in 01:04:50.580 --> 01:04:53.850 sixth grade and for me , 01:04:56.010 --> 01:04:58.699 probably the best reflection of finding 01:04:58.709 --> 01:05:00.709 your soul mate and knowing it's the 01:05:00.709 --> 01:05:02.876 right one we talked about this earlier 01:05:02.876 --> 01:05:05.550 today is when you see your kids raise 01:05:05.560 --> 01:05:07.939 their kids , then you know , you did it 01:05:07.949 --> 01:05:11.540 right because you just sit back , smile 01:05:11.550 --> 01:05:13.550 and know that all those values that 01:05:13.550 --> 01:05:15.870 came from my parents . We're down 01:05:17.469 --> 01:05:19.636 two levels down and it's really fun to 01:05:19.636 --> 01:05:23.110 watch . I love you baked to 01:05:23.120 --> 01:05:26.939 dismiss . Everybody says 01:05:26.949 --> 01:05:29.370 that at a change of command . I'm 01:05:29.379 --> 01:05:31.323 really happy to turn it over to my 01:05:31.323 --> 01:05:33.490 friend . I think every single ceremony 01:05:33.490 --> 01:05:35.601 we've ever been to . I'm really happy 01:05:35.601 --> 01:05:39.030 to turn it over to my friend . We have 01:05:39.040 --> 01:05:41.207 gotten to know this myth really well . 01:05:41.207 --> 01:05:43.207 In the last 67 years , we knew them 01:05:43.207 --> 01:05:45.669 before by reputation . The Marine Corps 01:05:45.679 --> 01:05:48.520 is in fantastic hands and I'm with you , 01:05:48.530 --> 01:05:51.139 Mr Secretary . We need the Senate to do 01:05:51.149 --> 01:05:53.371 their job so that we can have a sitting 01:05:53.371 --> 01:05:55.482 commandant disappointed and confirmed 01:05:55.830 --> 01:05:58.052 and we need that house to be occupied . 01:05:59.020 --> 01:06:01.649 We asked the Senate to do that . I have 01:06:01.659 --> 01:06:04.330 tried to be the servant leader that my 01:06:04.340 --> 01:06:08.270 mentors coach me to do . That 01:06:08.280 --> 01:06:09.149 was my goal . 01:06:13.330 --> 01:06:15.620 Every marine is a rifleman . We believe 01:06:15.629 --> 01:06:17.851 that in the Marine Corps and I tried my 01:06:17.851 --> 01:06:20.018 best to put the riflemen in the center 01:06:21.000 --> 01:06:23.520 and 3 11 infantry squad leader in the 01:06:23.530 --> 01:06:27.520 center . Every time we all work 01:06:27.530 --> 01:06:29.590 for them , we know as marines who we 01:06:29.600 --> 01:06:33.050 are tried my best to make sure that the 01:06:33.060 --> 01:06:35.530 Marine Corps is ready today and also 01:06:35.540 --> 01:06:38.870 ready 5 , 10 years from now and where 01:06:38.879 --> 01:06:41.199 we have succeeded . All the credit goes 01:06:41.209 --> 01:06:43.376 to all of the marines around the world 01:06:43.376 --> 01:06:46.370 who are trying things , experimenting . 01:06:47.439 --> 01:06:49.606 They're pushing us into the future and 01:06:49.606 --> 01:06:51.828 where we have come up short , that's on 01:06:51.828 --> 01:06:53.772 mine , that's on me . They get the 01:06:53.772 --> 01:06:56.219 credit as it should be . Always . This 01:06:56.229 --> 01:06:59.379 has been the honor of my life , the 01:06:59.389 --> 01:07:01.770 privilege of my life for me and Donna 01:07:01.780 --> 01:07:04.770 to serve all marines , all families , 01:07:04.780 --> 01:07:08.350 all sailors everywhere . Semper Fidelis . 01:07:08.370 --> 01:07:09.370 Thank you , 01:07:42.179 --> 01:07:44.235 ladies and gentlemen , the assistant 01:07:44.235 --> 01:07:46.512 Commandant of the Marine Corps General , 01:07:46.512 --> 01:07:47.512 Eric M Smith . 01:07:55.699 --> 01:07:57.921 Good morning to everyone and thanks for 01:07:57.921 --> 01:08:00.520 being here , Mr Secretary , Mr 01:08:00.530 --> 01:08:02.439 Secretary and for all of the 01:08:02.449 --> 01:08:05.129 distinguished visitors . Too many to 01:08:05.139 --> 01:08:08.399 name . Thank you for taking the time to 01:08:08.409 --> 01:08:12.020 honor your marines and to 01:08:12.030 --> 01:08:14.290 honor our 38th Commandant 01:08:16.160 --> 01:08:19.209 Dave . I can say that now . Uh 01:08:20.059 --> 01:08:23.179 and I can also say as the individual 01:08:23.188 --> 01:08:25.410 performing the duties of the commandant 01:08:25.410 --> 01:08:28.720 on behalf of all marines . We thank you 01:08:28.729 --> 01:08:30.970 and Donna for your 42 years of 01:08:30.979 --> 01:08:34.859 dedicated , selfless and courageous 01:08:34.870 --> 01:08:36.926 service for those who have taken the 01:08:36.926 --> 01:08:40.580 time to look at General Berger's medals . 01:08:41.680 --> 01:08:45.459 Courage is shown across those 01:08:45.470 --> 01:08:47.581 metals and we should take the time to 01:08:47.581 --> 01:08:49.526 once again acknowledge the burgers 01:08:49.750 --> 01:08:51.694 their entire family and it's a big 01:08:51.694 --> 01:08:53.528 family because when you have the 01:08:53.528 --> 01:08:55.583 Secretary of the Navy sitting in one 01:08:55.583 --> 01:08:57.417 row over because the burgers are 01:08:57.417 --> 01:08:59.306 filling up the entire one north . 01:08:59.306 --> 01:09:01.528 That's a good day . That's a good day . 01:09:01.528 --> 01:09:03.750 So , so Dave and Donna on behalf of all 01:09:03.750 --> 01:09:06.729 of us , thank you . We'll get the one 01:09:06.740 --> 01:09:09.009 thing out very quickly . If you're 01:09:09.020 --> 01:09:11.353 saying , what am I supposed to call you ? 01:09:11.419 --> 01:09:15.200 A Mac ? That is my title 01:09:15.609 --> 01:09:17.776 and one that I'm proud of . We got the 01:09:17.776 --> 01:09:19.887 Acma squad sitting over here . So you 01:09:19.887 --> 01:09:22.799 can also say devil dog , Leatherneck 01:09:22.810 --> 01:09:25.600 Marine or Trisha's husband . I respond 01:09:25.609 --> 01:09:28.439 to all probably most proud of the last . 01:09:31.029 --> 01:09:32.862 There are a tremendous number of 01:09:32.862 --> 01:09:34.918 supporters of your Marine Corps here 01:09:34.918 --> 01:09:37.779 today and all of us appreciate the 01:09:37.790 --> 01:09:39.957 support because what you saw today was 01:09:39.957 --> 01:09:42.589 an embodiment , a representation of the 01:09:42.600 --> 01:09:45.899 more than 200,000 active and reserved 01:09:45.910 --> 01:09:47.899 marines who are out there ready , 01:09:48.779 --> 01:09:51.629 willing , able and eager , 01:09:52.500 --> 01:09:55.200 eager to defend the constitution . So 01:09:55.209 --> 01:09:57.709 those young marines that you saw today , 01:09:58.049 --> 01:10:01.890 they're 18 , 19 and they are willing to 01:10:01.899 --> 01:10:04.529 do anything , everything on your behalf 01:10:04.540 --> 01:10:07.370 and they are owed our eternal gratitude . 01:10:08.600 --> 01:10:11.410 I will simply say that in the audience 01:10:11.419 --> 01:10:13.529 today without going through 01:10:14.919 --> 01:10:17.580 everyone . There are examples of our 01:10:17.589 --> 01:10:20.950 friends , our partners , our allies and 01:10:20.959 --> 01:10:23.070 we have lots of them . I'm looking at 01:10:23.070 --> 01:10:25.181 them . All right now . We have lots . 01:10:25.220 --> 01:10:27.220 There are also personal examples of 01:10:27.220 --> 01:10:29.479 courage , some from our allies and 01:10:29.490 --> 01:10:31.490 partners like Colonel Tagus , who's 01:10:31.490 --> 01:10:34.029 over here who committed as a battalion 01:10:34.040 --> 01:10:36.520 commander from the Georgian infantry to 01:10:36.529 --> 01:10:38.979 serve alongside us in Afghanistan lost 01:10:38.990 --> 01:10:41.157 both legs and he's here . Alexi , it's 01:10:41.157 --> 01:10:43.660 good to have you here because you are 01:10:43.669 --> 01:10:45.850 an embodiment of everyone and 01:10:45.859 --> 01:10:48.270 everything that we hold dear . We have 01:10:48.279 --> 01:10:50.509 people like major Dave Borden who is a 01:10:50.520 --> 01:10:53.459 retired marine major who after losing 01:10:53.470 --> 01:10:56.020 his right leg at the hip and a good 01:10:56.029 --> 01:10:58.689 chunk of his left arm in Iraq two years 01:10:58.700 --> 01:11:00.867 in the hospital . And then he deployed 01:11:00.867 --> 01:11:04.569 to Afghanistan for a year twice as an 01:11:04.580 --> 01:11:07.319 amputee as an infantry officer . So we 01:11:07.330 --> 01:11:10.569 are surrounded by individuals like that 01:11:10.990 --> 01:11:14.870 and we are so grateful for it . My 01:11:14.879 --> 01:11:17.970 own family , my wife Trish representing 01:11:17.979 --> 01:11:21.790 the family , she is the better half 01:11:23.529 --> 01:11:26.140 the stable rock upon which we build the 01:11:26.149 --> 01:11:28.160 foundation . Our Children cannot be 01:11:28.169 --> 01:11:30.280 here . Elise and her husband Matt are 01:11:30.290 --> 01:11:32.290 down in Houston working , hopefully 01:11:32.290 --> 01:11:35.009 paying for my retirement boat . That's 01:11:35.020 --> 01:11:37.259 the plan . And our son , Travis and his 01:11:37.270 --> 01:11:39.580 wife Hadley are in Texas , burying her 01:11:39.589 --> 01:11:42.600 father . He is an American hero , a 01:11:42.609 --> 01:11:46.009 firefighter who is currently donating 01:11:46.020 --> 01:11:48.131 his organs . So they have to be there 01:11:48.131 --> 01:11:50.242 for that . But that's another example 01:11:50.242 --> 01:11:52.520 of what real courage looks like to make 01:11:52.529 --> 01:11:55.569 sure that there is no confusion . All 01:11:55.580 --> 01:11:58.959 orders directives and guidance 01:11:59.830 --> 01:12:01.719 which were in effect this morning 01:12:01.719 --> 01:12:03.552 remain in effect unless I direct 01:12:03.552 --> 01:12:06.069 otherwise , further guidance to the 01:12:06.080 --> 01:12:08.569 force will follow . But for the Marines , 01:12:08.580 --> 01:12:12.399 I can tell you is this two simultaneous 01:12:12.410 --> 01:12:14.939 missions right now continue to 01:12:14.950 --> 01:12:17.950 accelerate modernization in preparation 01:12:18.049 --> 01:12:20.580 for a peer fight state on state 01:12:20.589 --> 01:12:23.000 conflict that we have not seen in our 01:12:23.009 --> 01:12:25.709 lifetime while simultaneously 01:12:25.939 --> 01:12:28.479 maintaining and continuing to improve 01:12:29.220 --> 01:12:32.490 the readiness of our combined arms 01:12:32.500 --> 01:12:36.279 global naval crisis response force . 01:12:36.290 --> 01:12:38.879 The 26th expeditionary unit will head 01:12:38.890 --> 01:12:41.399 out the door as a special operations 01:12:41.410 --> 01:12:43.410 cape but we haven't done that in 10 01:12:43.410 --> 01:12:45.410 years . That's on your leadership . 01:12:45.410 --> 01:12:47.354 General Berger . Those are the two 01:12:47.354 --> 01:12:49.466 missions and we do those two missions 01:12:49.466 --> 01:12:52.600 by iron clad discipline by strict , 01:12:53.049 --> 01:12:54.882 almost ruthless adherence to our 01:12:54.882 --> 01:12:57.529 standards . That is what is expected of 01:12:57.540 --> 01:13:00.390 all of us for the officers sitting here . 01:13:00.399 --> 01:13:02.455 This is the time when we earn ductus 01:13:02.455 --> 01:13:05.439 exemplar . It's what is expected of all 01:13:05.450 --> 01:13:08.339 of us who are forced to wear black 01:13:08.350 --> 01:13:10.517 trousers . And if you don't understand 01:13:10.517 --> 01:13:12.850 that I'll do two seconds and explain it . 01:13:12.850 --> 01:13:14.961 We don't get to wear black trousers . 01:13:14.961 --> 01:13:17.072 If you notice the generals have black 01:13:17.072 --> 01:13:19.183 trousers , not blue trousers like the 01:13:19.183 --> 01:13:21.294 young enlisted marines , as if it's a 01:13:21.294 --> 01:13:23.350 status symbol , it is not , they are 01:13:23.350 --> 01:13:25.239 required to wear those trousers . 01:13:25.239 --> 01:13:27.350 Because if you look at the old photos 01:13:27.350 --> 01:13:29.406 from the 18 hundreds at the end of a 01:13:29.406 --> 01:13:31.517 long campaign , especially out West , 01:13:31.517 --> 01:13:33.649 everyone started with dark blue 01:13:33.660 --> 01:13:36.129 trousers , almost black trousers . By 01:13:36.140 --> 01:13:38.307 the end of the campaign when they took 01:13:38.307 --> 01:13:40.362 their photo , those who had survived 01:13:40.362 --> 01:13:42.307 the campaign , they would have the 01:13:42.307 --> 01:13:44.529 general sitting in the front with their 01:13:44.529 --> 01:13:46.799 riding boots and their trousers were 01:13:46.810 --> 01:13:49.200 still very dark black . But the 01:13:49.209 --> 01:13:51.209 troopers who had been out doing the 01:13:51.209 --> 01:13:53.320 fighting and the dying their trousers 01:13:53.320 --> 01:13:55.487 who had been sun washed , bleached and 01:13:55.487 --> 01:13:57.653 faded into a light blue . So every day 01:13:57.653 --> 01:13:59.765 that we pull on our black trousers as 01:13:59.765 --> 01:14:01.876 general officers , it's a reminder to 01:14:01.876 --> 01:14:04.042 be mindful of the orders that we issue 01:14:04.060 --> 01:14:06.282 because an 18 year old is going to have 01:14:06.282 --> 01:14:08.560 to execute them . So to the general 01:14:08.569 --> 01:14:11.049 officers here today , I'll expect and I 01:14:11.060 --> 01:14:13.282 know I can count on you leading the way 01:14:13.290 --> 01:14:16.470 via ductus exemplar , Mr Secretary , 01:14:16.479 --> 01:14:20.350 distinguished guests and to the 01:14:20.359 --> 01:14:22.560 Burgers , Dave and Donna . Thank you 01:14:22.569 --> 01:14:25.259 very much for all the marines out there . 01:14:25.270 --> 01:14:28.069 Continue to march , pick up the pace . 01:14:28.080 --> 01:14:30.358 I'll be with you every step of the way . 01:14:48.220 --> 01:14:50.331 Ladies and gentlemen , this concludes 01:14:50.331 --> 01:14:52.553 our ceremony at this time . We ask that 01:14:52.553 --> 01:14:54.776 you please remain in your seats for the 01:14:54.776 --> 01:14:56.887 departure of the official party after 01:14:56.887 --> 01:14:58.942 which a receiving line will open for 01:14:58.942 --> 01:15:01.053 General Berger and the reception will 01:15:01.053 --> 01:15:00.970 commence in the Marine Family Garden 01:15:00.979 --> 01:15:03.419 for General Smith , on behalf of marine 01:15:03.430 --> 01:15:05.486 barracks , Washington DC . Thank you 01:15:05.486 --> 01:15:07.419 for your attendance and Ellis .