1 00:00:00,009 --> 00:00:03,650 Well , good morning , everyone . That 2 00:00:06,380 --> 00:00:09,449 by the way , I understand that there 3 00:00:09,460 --> 00:00:12,819 may be some classmates here 4 00:00:12,829 --> 00:00:15,720 from uh you may class of 81 . 5 00:00:19,430 --> 00:00:21,430 I don't know if they are or not . I 6 00:00:21,430 --> 00:00:23,541 didn't , I didn't hear him , Jim . So 7 00:00:23,541 --> 00:00:25,840 uh hey , welcome . Thank you , 8 00:00:25,850 --> 00:00:28,079 Secretary Warmoth . We're lucky to have 9 00:00:28,090 --> 00:00:31,469 you as our secretary of the Army . And 10 00:00:31,479 --> 00:00:33,312 I'm glad to be here with so many 11 00:00:33,312 --> 00:00:35,201 distinguished guests and military 12 00:00:35,201 --> 00:00:37,257 leaders , including General Milley , 13 00:00:37,257 --> 00:00:40,000 who knows a thing or two about being 14 00:00:40,009 --> 00:00:42,880 the chief of staff of the Army General . 15 00:00:42,889 --> 00:00:46,319 Thank you for your dedication and your 16 00:00:46,330 --> 00:00:48,759 leadership of the joint chiefs . 17 00:00:51,209 --> 00:00:54,959 Today we salute the exceptional service 18 00:00:55,409 --> 00:00:58,990 of general Jim mcconville and applaud 19 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,540 his tremendous work as the 40th 20 00:01:02,549 --> 00:01:06,389 chief of staff of the army . I'm also 21 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,769 honored to congratulate Sergeant major 22 00:01:08,779 --> 00:01:11,309 of the army , Tony Grinton on his 23 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:14,339 stewardship of the enlisted force and 24 00:01:14,349 --> 00:01:17,120 to welcome our new sergeant major of 25 00:01:17,129 --> 00:01:20,970 the army , Michael Weimer . But above 26 00:01:20,980 --> 00:01:24,169 all , we're here to celebrate the 27 00:01:24,180 --> 00:01:27,110 United States Army . You know , 28 00:01:27,889 --> 00:01:31,250 nearly 250 years ago , even before the 29 00:01:31,260 --> 00:01:33,699 United States declared its independence , 30 00:01:34,589 --> 00:01:38,250 our new republic stood up in army and 31 00:01:38,260 --> 00:01:40,720 ever since American soldiers have had 32 00:01:40,730 --> 00:01:44,250 one core mission and that core mission 33 00:01:44,260 --> 00:01:46,699 is to fight and win our nation's wars 34 00:01:48,339 --> 00:01:51,650 that takes tenacity , it takes 35 00:01:51,660 --> 00:01:54,489 teamwork and it also takes 36 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:57,989 transformation . So , Secretary Warmth 37 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,000 and General mcconville and Sergeant 38 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,000 Major Grinton have been leading the 39 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:04,199 army's most sweeping transformation in 40 00:02:04,209 --> 00:02:07,980 more than 40 years . Today . The entire 41 00:02:07,989 --> 00:02:10,100 army enterprise is updating itself to 42 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:12,690 ensure that our soldiers stay ready for 43 00:02:12,699 --> 00:02:15,470 any challenge that the 21st century can 44 00:02:15,479 --> 00:02:18,720 throw at them . The army is becoming a 45 00:02:18,729 --> 00:02:21,669 multi domain force . You are 46 00:02:21,679 --> 00:02:24,039 modernizing your inventory of advanced 47 00:02:24,050 --> 00:02:26,217 capabilities with long range precision 48 00:02:26,217 --> 00:02:28,940 fires in next generation combat 49 00:02:28,949 --> 00:02:32,669 vehicles in missile defense and more . 50 00:02:34,389 --> 00:02:36,690 And the army has also brought its 51 00:02:36,699 --> 00:02:40,389 doctrine into the 21st century . And 52 00:02:40,399 --> 00:02:42,510 you've created new organizations that 53 00:02:42,510 --> 00:02:44,066 can provide more and better 54 00:02:44,066 --> 00:02:46,830 capabilities to combatant commanders 55 00:02:47,139 --> 00:02:49,419 and strengthen our partnerships around 56 00:02:49,429 --> 00:02:52,240 the world and sustain the fight 57 00:02:53,059 --> 00:02:56,979 whenever and wherever needed . And you 58 00:02:56,990 --> 00:02:59,779 know , I've seen that in action and it 59 00:02:59,789 --> 00:03:02,639 is pretty impressive in Europe , I've 60 00:03:02,649 --> 00:03:04,816 met with our soldiers defending nato's 61 00:03:04,816 --> 00:03:07,589 eastern flank and training Ukrainian 62 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:09,489 troops who are fighting for their 63 00:03:09,489 --> 00:03:12,270 freedom against Russia's cruel war of 64 00:03:12,279 --> 00:03:16,190 choice . And in the Indo Pacific , I've 65 00:03:16,199 --> 00:03:18,310 talked with American soldiers who are 66 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,589 working alongside partner forces to 67 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:23,669 strengthen stability and deterrence 68 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:27,779 across the region . Now , as you 69 00:03:27,789 --> 00:03:31,339 heard Secretary War say throughout all 70 00:03:31,350 --> 00:03:34,350 these changes , the army is putting 71 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:38,070 people first and that has been General 72 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:40,136 mcconville Philosophy throughout his 73 00:03:40,136 --> 00:03:44,039 career as chief . So the army has been 74 00:03:44,050 --> 00:03:46,289 investing in housing and increasing 75 00:03:46,300 --> 00:03:48,649 access to child care and making moves 76 00:03:48,660 --> 00:03:51,210 easier and much , much more . 77 00:03:52,649 --> 00:03:55,050 And the army is making sure that all of 78 00:03:55,059 --> 00:03:57,809 our soldiers can contribute the full 79 00:03:57,820 --> 00:04:00,220 range of their talents and their skills . 80 00:04:01,240 --> 00:04:03,570 And as General mcconville always says 81 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:08,320 winning matters , but there is no 82 00:04:08,330 --> 00:04:12,149 winning without our people . So 83 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:14,216 Jim , I want to commend you and your 84 00:04:14,216 --> 00:04:16,929 team for the fierce dedication to our 85 00:04:16,940 --> 00:04:19,429 soldiers and to their families . 86 00:04:21,649 --> 00:04:25,529 Today , the United States army is the 87 00:04:25,540 --> 00:04:28,010 strongest army and we have the 88 00:04:28,019 --> 00:04:30,130 strongest military that the world has 89 00:04:30,130 --> 00:04:33,320 ever known . And it's 90 00:04:33,329 --> 00:04:36,589 amazing the distance that the army has 91 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:38,720 traveled since I took the oath myself 92 00:04:38,730 --> 00:04:42,500 back in 1975 . And all that 93 00:04:42,510 --> 00:04:45,149 progress has been powered by patriotism . 94 00:04:46,450 --> 00:04:49,100 It comes from Americans from all walks 95 00:04:49,109 --> 00:04:51,165 of life who volunteer to support and 96 00:04:51,170 --> 00:04:54,390 defend our constitution and to be a 97 00:04:54,399 --> 00:04:56,066 part of something bigger than 98 00:04:56,066 --> 00:04:59,269 themselves and to protect our 99 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:01,619 country and our founding values of 100 00:05:01,630 --> 00:05:03,160 freedom and democracy . 101 00:05:06,420 --> 00:05:08,609 Now we're marking the 50th anniversary 102 00:05:08,619 --> 00:05:12,369 this year of the start of our all 103 00:05:12,380 --> 00:05:16,029 volunteer force and every 104 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:19,920 American soldier today chose to serve , 105 00:05:21,299 --> 00:05:24,679 they chose to sign up , they chose to 106 00:05:24,690 --> 00:05:27,023 risk their lives for the common defense . 107 00:05:28,250 --> 00:05:31,690 And in return , they rightly respect 108 00:05:31,700 --> 00:05:33,867 that the US military will take care of 109 00:05:33,867 --> 00:05:37,390 them and their families and all of our 110 00:05:37,399 --> 00:05:41,089 troops expect and deserve tested and 111 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:43,320 seasoned leaders who are fully focused 112 00:05:43,329 --> 00:05:45,820 and fully empowered to make the hard 113 00:05:45,829 --> 00:05:46,500 calls . 114 00:05:48,839 --> 00:05:51,660 Unfortunately , today , for the first 115 00:05:51,670 --> 00:05:53,781 time in the history of the Department 116 00:05:53,781 --> 00:05:56,290 of Defense , two of our services will 117 00:05:56,299 --> 00:05:58,679 be operating without Senate confirmed 118 00:05:58,690 --> 00:06:01,420 leadership . And as you heard , 119 00:06:01,429 --> 00:06:05,160 Secretary Warman say earlier , 301 120 00:06:05,170 --> 00:06:07,226 nominations for our general and flag 121 00:06:07,226 --> 00:06:11,220 officers are being held up . So let me 122 00:06:11,230 --> 00:06:14,809 be clear in our dangerous world , the 123 00:06:14,820 --> 00:06:17,920 security of the United States demands 124 00:06:17,929 --> 00:06:21,480 orderly and prompt transitions of our 125 00:06:21,489 --> 00:06:25,369 confirmed military leaders . Great 126 00:06:25,380 --> 00:06:28,700 teams need great leaders 127 00:06:29,910 --> 00:06:32,021 and that's central to maintaining the 128 00:06:32,021 --> 00:06:34,329 full might of the most lethal fighting 129 00:06:34,339 --> 00:06:37,690 force on earth . It's vital for our 130 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:40,529 global leadership and for the trust and 131 00:06:40,540 --> 00:06:43,760 confidence of our outstanding network 132 00:06:43,769 --> 00:06:47,450 of allies and partners . The failure to 133 00:06:47,459 --> 00:06:50,049 confirm our superbly qualified senior 134 00:06:50,059 --> 00:06:52,700 uniformed leaders undermines our 135 00:06:52,709 --> 00:06:56,059 military readiness . It undermines our 136 00:06:56,070 --> 00:06:58,070 retention of some of our very best 137 00:06:58,079 --> 00:07:01,640 officers and it is upending the lives 138 00:07:01,649 --> 00:07:04,579 of far too many of their spouses , 139 00:07:04,769 --> 00:07:08,609 Children and loved ones . And this 140 00:07:08,619 --> 00:07:11,559 disruption is the last thing that 141 00:07:11,570 --> 00:07:14,109 America's military families deserve . 142 00:07:15,549 --> 00:07:17,660 But I'm confident that we'll get this 143 00:07:17,660 --> 00:07:21,279 fixed and I'm confident that we can all 144 00:07:21,290 --> 00:07:24,390 agree on our deeply American duty to 145 00:07:24,399 --> 00:07:26,566 stand for those who choose to wear the 146 00:07:26,566 --> 00:07:30,450 cloth of our nation . And I am 147 00:07:30,459 --> 00:07:32,959 confident that the United States Senate 148 00:07:32,970 --> 00:07:35,640 will meet its responsibilities and 149 00:07:35,649 --> 00:07:39,369 swiftly confirm our 41st chief of staff 150 00:07:39,380 --> 00:07:40,380 of the army . 151 00:07:52,149 --> 00:07:54,619 The next chief of the army will 152 00:07:54,630 --> 00:07:56,989 continue the momentum that General 153 00:07:57,000 --> 00:07:59,222 mcconville has built over the past four 154 00:07:59,222 --> 00:08:01,850 years , Joe mcconnell has led with 155 00:08:01,859 --> 00:08:05,489 strength and vision and an unshakable 156 00:08:05,500 --> 00:08:09,390 determination to drive change . Now , 157 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:11,433 General mcconville training as a 158 00:08:11,433 --> 00:08:13,433 soldier started all the way back in 159 00:08:13,433 --> 00:08:17,049 Quincy Massachusetts . In fact , he 160 00:08:17,059 --> 00:08:19,003 used to play army with the kid who 161 00:08:19,003 --> 00:08:21,059 lived down the street by the name of 162 00:08:21,059 --> 00:08:24,390 Joe Dunford . And to be fair , Joe 163 00:08:24,399 --> 00:08:26,510 always thought that they were playing 164 00:08:26,510 --> 00:08:30,480 marines , but either way it turned 165 00:08:30,489 --> 00:08:33,099 out to be pretty good training . And 166 00:08:33,109 --> 00:08:35,450 Jim mcconville went on to graduate from 167 00:08:35,460 --> 00:08:38,570 West Point in the class of 1981 . 168 00:08:44,008 --> 00:08:46,230 I'm hearing some rumblings over there . 169 00:08:46,230 --> 00:08:48,341 I think you may have a presence . Not 170 00:08:48,341 --> 00:08:51,849 sure . One summer , Jim visited Fort 171 00:08:51,859 --> 00:08:55,400 Knox and he got to fly in an 0 58 Kyowa 172 00:08:55,409 --> 00:08:58,320 War warrior helicopter which was 173 00:08:58,330 --> 00:09:01,840 piloted by a Vietnam um 174 00:09:02,750 --> 00:09:05,929 Eric pilot . And right then and there , 175 00:09:05,940 --> 00:09:08,051 Jim knew that he wanted to fly in the 176 00:09:08,051 --> 00:09:10,440 aircraft . So he became an infantry 177 00:09:10,450 --> 00:09:13,130 officer with an aviation specialty 178 00:09:13,140 --> 00:09:16,059 which he calls the best of both worlds . 179 00:09:17,789 --> 00:09:21,229 And he has been the first aviator ever 180 00:09:21,239 --> 00:09:23,559 to serve as the army's chief of staff . 181 00:09:25,090 --> 00:09:27,840 Jim's distinctive viewpoint sometimes 182 00:09:27,849 --> 00:09:30,640 from thousands of feet in the air has 183 00:09:30,650 --> 00:09:33,460 served him well from leading soldiers 184 00:09:34,039 --> 00:09:35,761 to serving as a G one where he 185 00:09:35,761 --> 00:09:37,940 developed a deep understanding of what 186 00:09:37,950 --> 00:09:40,119 soldiers and their families need most 187 00:09:41,130 --> 00:09:43,297 to his time as the vice chief of staff 188 00:09:43,297 --> 00:09:47,039 of the army . Now , according to 189 00:09:47,049 --> 00:09:50,390 Jim , the best thing that ever happened 190 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:53,429 to him was meeting his wife Maria when 191 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:55,551 she was a second lieutenant . Serving 192 00:09:55,551 --> 00:09:58,950 at Fort or Maria mcconville has an 193 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:01,090 impressive career as a dietician , a 194 00:10:01,099 --> 00:10:03,155 fitness trainer and a health coach . 195 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,400 And even while running her own business , 196 00:10:06,650 --> 00:10:09,239 she has always focused on empowering 197 00:10:09,250 --> 00:10:12,349 military spouses and families . So , 198 00:10:12,359 --> 00:10:14,409 Maria , thank you for all of your 199 00:10:14,419 --> 00:10:16,599 service and all of your commitment . 200 00:10:26,159 --> 00:10:29,659 And the two of them have raised a whole 201 00:10:29,669 --> 00:10:33,440 family of army officers , major Michael 202 00:10:33,450 --> 00:10:37,210 mcconville , Captain Jessica Nazer , 203 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,090 who for good measure married a fellow 204 00:10:40,099 --> 00:10:42,460 army officer , Lieutenant Ryan Manzer 205 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,789 and Captain Ryan mcconville . You 206 00:10:46,799 --> 00:10:50,750 are an extraordinary , an exemplary 207 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:53,929 military family and I want to thank all 208 00:10:53,940 --> 00:10:55,996 of the mcconville for your service . 209 00:11:05,090 --> 00:11:08,989 General , you and the family 210 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,059 all the best for a well deserved 211 00:11:12,070 --> 00:11:15,729 retirement . Today , I'm also 212 00:11:15,739 --> 00:11:17,795 proud to honor Sergeant major of the 213 00:11:17,795 --> 00:11:19,906 Army Grinton as he heads into his own 214 00:11:19,906 --> 00:11:23,369 retirement . Tony is the real deal . 215 00:11:24,659 --> 00:11:26,830 He is a battle tested war fighter and 216 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:29,270 an artilleryman . He's a graduate of 217 00:11:29,280 --> 00:11:31,460 ranger and airborne and drill sergeant 218 00:11:31,919 --> 00:11:34,380 in air assault schools . He's a 219 00:11:34,390 --> 00:11:36,446 brilliant strategist and a master of 220 00:11:36,446 --> 00:11:38,719 tactics . And when the game is on the 221 00:11:38,729 --> 00:11:42,520 line with seconds left on the clock and 222 00:11:42,530 --> 00:11:45,159 you need to win , you give the ball to 223 00:11:45,169 --> 00:11:48,549 Tony . You know , when I was sitcom 224 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:50,726 commander , I saw Tony lead our troops 225 00:11:50,726 --> 00:11:53,609 in combat in Afghanistan and in Iraq , 226 00:11:53,859 --> 00:11:56,081 he was a senior enlisted leader for one 227 00:11:56,090 --> 00:11:59,609 of our division headquarters . And so 228 00:11:59,619 --> 00:12:02,020 for 36 years , Tony has lived by the 229 00:12:02,030 --> 00:12:05,950 NCO creed . No one is 230 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,760 more professional than I and Tony . 231 00:12:10,690 --> 00:12:12,523 I know that you'll probably take 232 00:12:12,523 --> 00:12:15,270 retirement just as seriously as you've 233 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:19,250 taken the NCO creed . I 234 00:12:19,270 --> 00:12:21,492 heard that when you go golfing , Tony , 235 00:12:21,492 --> 00:12:24,669 you demand to walk all 18 holes . But 236 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,349 Tony , even the most professional 237 00:12:27,359 --> 00:12:30,309 golfers take cars . So you might want 238 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:32,320 to think about that going forward . 239 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:36,337 Tony . I don't know if you have 240 00:12:36,337 --> 00:12:39,030 relaxation on your agenda after taking 241 00:12:39,039 --> 00:12:41,289 off the uniform , but you've definitely 242 00:12:41,299 --> 00:12:45,119 earned it an 243 00:12:45,130 --> 00:12:47,929 incredible job . But let me also thank 244 00:12:47,940 --> 00:12:51,190 Tony's wife , Alexandra . Alexandra has 245 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,979 a master's degree in education and she 246 00:12:53,989 --> 00:12:55,878 works in Washington at the German 247 00:12:55,878 --> 00:12:57,822 Embassy . And over the years , she 248 00:12:57,822 --> 00:12:59,878 spent so much of her time supporting 249 00:12:59,878 --> 00:13:01,799 military families from financial 250 00:13:01,809 --> 00:13:04,140 assistance to helping Children and 251 00:13:04,150 --> 00:13:07,250 spouses further their education . And 252 00:13:07,260 --> 00:13:09,549 she's helped make sure that families 253 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:11,726 grieving the loss of a loved one , get 254 00:13:11,726 --> 00:13:13,781 the resources and the care that they 255 00:13:13,781 --> 00:13:16,369 need . Let me also thank their two 256 00:13:16,380 --> 00:13:20,349 daughters , Sophia and Isabella for 257 00:13:20,359 --> 00:13:22,820 being Tony's rock all these years 258 00:13:24,159 --> 00:13:27,070 again , Tony . We wish you all the best 259 00:13:27,419 --> 00:13:30,469 in your next chapter . Congratulations , 260 00:13:30,479 --> 00:13:31,479 soldier . 261 00:13:41,349 --> 00:13:44,799 Now , today we pass the colors to our 262 00:13:44,809 --> 00:13:46,642 new sergeant major of the army . 263 00:13:47,599 --> 00:13:51,090 Michael Wayman . Mike earned his green 264 00:13:51,099 --> 00:13:53,640 beret back in 1996 . And for more than 265 00:13:53,650 --> 00:13:56,270 20 years , he has served as an army 266 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:59,200 special operator to complete complete 267 00:13:59,210 --> 00:14:02,580 missions around the globe . He's fresh 268 00:14:02,590 --> 00:14:05,099 off of leading our troops at the US 269 00:14:05,109 --> 00:14:08,419 Army Special Operations Command . And I 270 00:14:08,429 --> 00:14:11,010 know that his dedication and his 271 00:14:11,020 --> 00:14:13,969 professionalism are going to make him a 272 00:14:13,979 --> 00:14:17,500 fantastic 17th sergeant major of the 273 00:14:17,510 --> 00:14:20,799 army . So thanks for taking on this new 274 00:14:20,809 --> 00:14:23,729 post to lead our soldiers and to give 275 00:14:23,739 --> 00:14:27,030 them the support that they deserve . I 276 00:14:27,039 --> 00:14:29,095 want to thank your wife Kimberly and 277 00:14:29,095 --> 00:14:31,460 your daughters , Angel Lee and Zoe for 278 00:14:31,469 --> 00:14:34,380 serving right along beside you . And I 279 00:14:34,390 --> 00:14:38,250 know that you'll make sure that this 280 00:14:38,260 --> 00:14:41,190 service remains army strong and 281 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:43,367 everyone can be all that They can be . 282 00:14:46,799 --> 00:14:50,250 Ladies and gentlemen , it was true 283 00:14:51,380 --> 00:14:53,570 that even before we were a country 284 00:14:55,150 --> 00:14:57,261 American soldiers have been dedicated 285 00:14:57,261 --> 00:15:00,559 to fighting to win . And that's exactly 286 00:15:00,570 --> 00:15:03,179 what you'll do for every challenge 287 00:15:03,190 --> 00:15:06,340 ahead . We will deter conflict where we 288 00:15:06,349 --> 00:15:09,039 can . But if we have to defend 289 00:15:09,049 --> 00:15:11,160 ourselves , we will fight and we will 290 00:15:11,160 --> 00:15:14,799 win and we will win decisively . And 291 00:15:14,809 --> 00:15:16,753 that's because of the leaders that 292 00:15:16,753 --> 00:15:19,270 we're honoring today . It's because of 293 00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:21,391 our selfless soldiers who raise their 294 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,979 hands to serve . It's because of your 295 00:15:24,989 --> 00:15:28,010 commitment to make our country stronger 296 00:15:28,469 --> 00:15:32,179 and our world safer . The 297 00:15:32,190 --> 00:15:34,960 United States army has never failed its 298 00:15:34,969 --> 00:15:38,630 mission for the American people and it 299 00:15:38,640 --> 00:15:42,630 never will . May God bless our United 300 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:45,450 States army and may God continue to 301 00:15:45,460 --> 00:15:47,516 bless the United States of America ? 302 00:15:47,516 --> 00:15:48,309 Thank you very much .