WEBVTT 00:05.920 --> 00:09.899 Good morning , Carla . And a beautiful , 00:09.920 --> 00:12.109 beautiful morning it is . There is 00:12.109 --> 00:14.276 something special about standing right 00:14.276 --> 00:17.010 here in the heart of Carlislebert . You 00:17.010 --> 00:20.500 can feel this history of a 00:20.959 --> 00:23.409 268 year old military encampments 00:23.409 --> 00:26.530 around you . You can feel the energy of 00:26.530 --> 00:29.329 a community committed to service , to 00:29.329 --> 00:33.090 leadership , and to learning . So 00:33.090 --> 00:35.369 Army War College students here this 00:35.369 --> 00:37.480 morning , just 5 short weeks you walk 00:37.480 --> 00:39.202 across that will advanced in . 00:41.500 --> 00:45.279 They that they . I know that you're 00:45.279 --> 00:47.400 ready to shape the future of joint 00:47.400 --> 00:50.119 power . And remember to look back to 00:50.119 --> 00:52.349 Carlisle . We stand ready to assist you 00:52.639 --> 00:55.119 as you continue to study and reflect . 00:55.830 --> 00:58.389 On responsible command , military 00:58.389 --> 01:00.819 science and national defense , 01:01.430 --> 01:05.029 123 years ago . The first comment on of 01:05.029 --> 01:07.085 the United States on the war college 01:07.230 --> 01:10.309 welcomed Secretary of War EHro , who 01:10.309 --> 01:12.809 charged this institution not to promote 01:12.809 --> 01:15.389 war but to preserve peace through 01:15.389 --> 01:18.949 intelligent and adequate preparation to 01:18.949 --> 01:21.739 repel aggression . And now today it's 01:21.739 --> 01:23.599 my privilege as the fifty-third 01:23.599 --> 01:26.199 commandant to introduce the 29th 01:26.199 --> 01:28.255 Secretary of Defense , the Honorable 01:28.255 --> 01:30.800 Pete Hexi , who has charged us to deter 01:30.800 --> 01:33.000 aggression with a laser focus on 01:33.000 --> 01:35.760 building and war fighting readiness . 01:36.529 --> 01:38.589 Secretary Hegseth is a combat tested 01:38.589 --> 01:40.959 Army veteran with experience in Iraq , 01:41.209 --> 01:44.660 Afghanistan , and Guantanamo Bay . He 01:44.660 --> 01:46.980 knows what it takes to lead in complex 01:46.980 --> 01:49.080 environment . And what it takes to 01:49.080 --> 01:51.480 prepare joint warfighters who can think 01:51.480 --> 01:53.800 strategically , challenge conventional 01:53.800 --> 01:57.599 wisdom , and lead in a rapidly evolving 01:57.599 --> 02:01.040 global landscape . Please rise and join 02:01.040 --> 02:03.839 me in a warm welcome for the honorable . 02:27.279 --> 02:31.210 Who dialed up thunderstruck . I didn't 02:31.210 --> 02:33.543 choose it , but I like it , please , uh , 02:33.543 --> 02:37.130 take your seats . I'll be 02:38.229 --> 02:41.529 I have to become SOP . Well , good 02:41.529 --> 02:45.250 morning warriors . Uh , warriors in the 02:45.250 --> 02:48.750 profession of arms . Others chose to be 02:48.750 --> 02:51.350 doctors and lawyers and other honorable 02:51.350 --> 02:54.380 professions . You chose to be warriors . 02:55.190 --> 02:57.246 Uh , leaders of men , leaders of our 02:57.246 --> 02:59.919 best men and women . It's an honor to 02:59.919 --> 03:02.119 stand before you today amongst so many 03:02.119 --> 03:04.360 distinguished guests , Congressman , 03:04.559 --> 03:06.448 Brigadier General Scott Perry , a 03:06.448 --> 03:08.670 graduate of this course as well . Thank 03:08.670 --> 03:10.892 you for being here , sir . This is your 03:10.892 --> 03:10.429 district also . 03:15.720 --> 03:17.887 It's about so many senior leaders , so 03:17.887 --> 03:19.942 many accomplished warriors , so many 03:19.942 --> 03:22.053 people who have given so much to this 03:22.053 --> 03:24.220 great nation . As was mentioned , the 03:24.220 --> 03:26.276 Army War College is one of the vital 03:26.276 --> 03:28.442 military institutions in our country , 03:28.442 --> 03:30.387 helping our leaders advance at the 03:30.387 --> 03:32.679 strategic level . I want to thank 03:32.679 --> 03:34.512 everyone here that's apart , the 03:34.512 --> 03:36.790 teachers and the staff , support staff , 03:37.039 --> 03:39.399 everyone that makes it work . The work 03:39.399 --> 03:42.550 here helps to forge the next generation 03:42.550 --> 03:46.000 of military senior neighbors . Carlisle 03:46.000 --> 03:48.880 doesn't run without all of you , and I 03:48.880 --> 03:51.410 know a lot of you . are soon looking 03:51.410 --> 03:52.929 out to your next Siamese . 03:52.979 --> 03:55.880 Congratulations . I'm here today to 03:55.880 --> 03:59.649 mark The 1st 100 days of the Trump 03:59.649 --> 04:02.130 administration . And share what we have 04:02.130 --> 04:04.241 accomplished so far at the Department 04:04.241 --> 04:07.009 of Defense when President Trump called 04:07.009 --> 04:09.279 me . To take this job . 04:10.779 --> 04:13.057 He told me first , he told me 2 things . 04:13.949 --> 04:17.890 The first was you're gonna have 04:17.890 --> 04:21.389 to be tough as . Tough 04:22.850 --> 04:26.000 Boy , he was not kidding on that one , 04:26.369 --> 04:28.369 this job requires a steel spine and 04:28.369 --> 04:30.480 that's fine . We're doing the work of 04:30.480 --> 04:32.536 the American people and the American 04:32.536 --> 04:34.258 war fighter . But second , the 04:34.258 --> 04:36.313 president said to me , I want you to 04:36.313 --> 04:38.910 restore the warrior ethos of our 04:38.910 --> 04:41.859 military , full stop . And so that is 04:41.859 --> 04:44.790 exactly what I've set about to do all 04:44.790 --> 04:48.149 100 days . Fighting for you is the 04:48.149 --> 04:50.427 privilege of a lifetime , a deployment . 04:50.679 --> 04:54.380 Of a lifetime , and from day one . And 04:54.380 --> 04:57.760 each 100 of those days . Our 04:57.760 --> 04:59.982 overriding objectives have been clear . 05:00.480 --> 05:02.589 Restoring the warrior ethos , 05:02.920 --> 05:05.279 rebuilding our military , and 05:05.279 --> 05:08.839 reestablishing deterrence . Restoring 05:08.839 --> 05:11.019 the warrior ethos is one of the most 05:11.019 --> 05:13.600 fundamental of those three . Everything 05:13.600 --> 05:16.730 starts and ends with warriors , in 05:16.730 --> 05:20.109 training , and on the battlefield . We 05:20.109 --> 05:23.049 are leaving wokeness and weakness 05:23.049 --> 05:26.350 behind . And refocusing on lethality , 05:26.619 --> 05:28.809 meritocracy , accountability , 05:29.179 --> 05:32.890 standards , and readiness . One of the 05:33.100 --> 05:35.380 early actions we did was to commission 05:35.380 --> 05:38.980 a rapid force-wide review of military 05:38.980 --> 05:40.758 standards , fitness standards , 05:40.758 --> 05:43.369 training standards , physical standards , 05:43.720 --> 05:47.380 gender neutral standards for combat 05:47.380 --> 05:50.589 roles . To be the world's most lethal 05:50.589 --> 05:52.811 and effective fighting force , you have 05:52.811 --> 05:54.978 to set and maintain high standards for 05:54.978 --> 05:57.420 our men and women in uniform , high , 05:57.790 --> 06:00.350 equal , and unwavering . 06:01.750 --> 06:03.861 To be lethal , you have to trust that 06:03.861 --> 06:06.250 the warrior alongside you in battle . 06:07.059 --> 06:09.369 Or the troops fighting in the unit that 06:09.369 --> 06:12.299 many of you will lead . are capable , 06:12.540 --> 06:14.707 truly physically capable of doing what 06:14.707 --> 06:17.950 is necessary under fire . You need to 06:17.950 --> 06:20.170 be fit Not fat 06:21.450 --> 06:23.519 Sharp , not shabby . 06:24.540 --> 06:28.220 Especially our leaders . And that's why 06:28.220 --> 06:30.387 we're reviewing how the department has 06:30.387 --> 06:32.331 maintained standards in the past , 06:32.420 --> 06:34.739 especially the last 4 years , and 06:34.739 --> 06:36.906 whether those standards have dropped , 06:37.260 --> 06:39.750 formally or informally . 06:41.290 --> 06:43.123 We're also welcoming back former 06:43.123 --> 06:45.640 service members who were wrongly forced 06:45.640 --> 06:48.390 to leave the military . More than 06:48.390 --> 06:51.940 8700 service members were involuntarily 06:51.940 --> 06:54.339 separated for not taking an 06:54.339 --> 06:57.739 experimental COVID-19 vaccine . 06:58.700 --> 07:00.899 Others were more informally pushed out 07:00.899 --> 07:03.579 or decided to get out . We're welcoming 07:03.579 --> 07:05.540 actively back those warriors of 07:05.540 --> 07:08.119 conscience . We've sent letters out , 07:08.220 --> 07:10.489 we're seeking them out , we want them 07:10.489 --> 07:12.433 back , they never should have been 07:12.433 --> 07:14.433 forced back , and we hope they come 07:14.433 --> 07:16.489 back quickly . And our personnel and 07:16.489 --> 07:18.711 readiness department is working in real 07:18.711 --> 07:20.933 time to make that process more and more 07:20.933 --> 07:22.878 efficient , more and more direct , 07:22.878 --> 07:25.670 every single day . And as we welcome 07:25.670 --> 07:27.614 those warriors back , we're giving 07:27.614 --> 07:30.329 wokeness the boot . We said goodbye to 07:30.329 --> 07:32.570 the harmful effects of woke culture and 07:32.570 --> 07:34.890 so-called diversity , equity and 07:34.890 --> 07:38.140 inclusion programs . We're removing 07:38.140 --> 07:42.040 DEI content . Eliminating quotas , 07:42.709 --> 07:44.876 ensuring recruitment , retention , and 07:44.876 --> 07:47.200 promotions are based on performance . 07:48.049 --> 07:50.170 Not immutable characteristics . 07:51.149 --> 07:54.869 DEI is dead at DOD . 07:56.070 --> 07:58.126 We're building a merit-based culture 07:58.126 --> 08:00.181 that promotes and rewards individual 08:00.181 --> 08:03.750 initiative . Excellence and hard work . 08:05.390 --> 08:07.334 We're also working hard to protect 08:07.334 --> 08:10.029 command to climbing . We're gonna be 08:10.029 --> 08:13.269 reviewing IG and EO processes that too 08:13.269 --> 08:16.980 often are weaponized against commanders 08:17.230 --> 08:19.829 in formations . I can't tell you how 08:19.829 --> 08:22.200 many men and women I hear from about to 08:22.200 --> 08:24.670 take battalion of brigade leadership or 08:24.670 --> 08:27.070 wing leadership , you name it . Uh , 08:27.130 --> 08:28.963 who feel like they're walking on 08:28.963 --> 08:31.410 eggshells because of processes that 08:31.410 --> 08:33.577 were put in place that undermine a com 08:33.577 --> 08:35.743 a commander's ability to lead . We are 08:35.743 --> 08:38.578 reviewing that all . We're also 08:38.578 --> 08:40.578 optimizing the civilian workforce , 08:40.578 --> 08:42.356 ensuring that we have the right 08:42.356 --> 08:44.356 employees in the right roles at the 08:44.356 --> 08:46.634 right time to support our war fighters . 08:46.634 --> 08:48.745 We're doing this by voluntary means , 08:48.909 --> 08:50.798 to the greatest extent possible , 08:50.919 --> 08:53.400 through offerings like voluntary early 08:53.400 --> 08:55.909 retirement and separation initiatives . 08:57.030 --> 08:59.960 We're also ending low productivity 08:59.960 --> 09:02.979 telework and remote work culture . 09:03.190 --> 09:05.412 Teams work best when they work together 09:05.412 --> 09:08.549 in person . Was in seats , not on Zoom . 09:09.700 --> 09:11.756 We're making accountability and high 09:11.756 --> 09:13.700 performance the watchwords for the 09:13.700 --> 09:16.159 department . At all levels , we expect 09:16.159 --> 09:18.000 employees to deliver results and 09:18.000 --> 09:20.969 respond to leadership needs . Their 09:20.969 --> 09:23.869 incentives and their Reform its plans , 09:24.109 --> 09:26.220 we believe , quickly and in real time 09:26.220 --> 09:28.109 will reflect that . It's a lot of 09:28.109 --> 09:32.000 change . Very quickly Now , as you 09:32.000 --> 09:34.599 may have noticed , The media likes to 09:34.599 --> 09:38.229 call it chaos . We call it 09:38.229 --> 09:41.989 overdue . How are the men and 09:41.989 --> 09:45.219 women responding to this , to this call ? 09:45.429 --> 09:47.651 Well , I can tell you personally , it's 09:47.651 --> 09:49.707 going better than we could have ever 09:49.707 --> 09:51.762 expected . This department , and you 09:51.762 --> 09:53.960 know it , across the joint force is 09:53.960 --> 09:56.440 filled with patriots who want nothing 09:56.440 --> 09:59.200 more than to focus , be laser focused 09:59.200 --> 10:02.250 on serving their country . And that's 10:02.250 --> 10:04.417 why retention is rebounding rebounding 10:04.417 --> 10:08.070 as well , big time in real time . Well , 10:08.109 --> 10:10.510 one of the clearest metrics so far is 10:10.510 --> 10:12.343 actually coming from outside the 10:12.343 --> 10:14.770 military . The enthusiasm of young 10:14.770 --> 10:17.530 Americans , in particular , is off the 10:17.530 --> 10:20.830 charts . You know , first the how 10:20.830 --> 10:23.330 challenging it has been to recruit in 10:23.330 --> 10:26.140 recent years . We faced a legitimate 10:26.140 --> 10:28.140 recruiting crisis where we couldn't 10:28.140 --> 10:30.251 recruit enough men and women into the 10:30.251 --> 10:32.251 military , so we lowered the amount 10:32.251 --> 10:34.196 required and still didn't meet the 10:34.196 --> 10:35.807 amount of people required in 10:35.807 --> 10:38.200 recruitment . That's over . Over the 10:38.200 --> 10:40.367 last few months , the army has had its 10:40.367 --> 10:42.422 best recruiting numbers since 2010 . 10:42.510 --> 10:44.621 The Navy is on track to have its best 10:44.621 --> 10:47.049 recruiting year since 2002 , before 10:47.049 --> 10:49.160 many of the newest recruits were even 10:49.160 --> 10:52.450 born . I cannot tell you how many texts 10:52.450 --> 10:54.719 and calls I get members of my staff get 10:54.719 --> 10:57.010 that get referred to me of people who 10:57.010 --> 11:00.010 had ruled out in their family military 11:00.010 --> 11:02.330 service and are now because of 11:02.330 --> 11:04.386 President Trump and his leadership , 11:04.450 --> 11:07.250 enthusiastic about going to boot camp 11:07.250 --> 11:09.450 or OCS and serving their nation . 11:11.359 --> 11:13.581 The other branches are on track to well 11:13.581 --> 11:15.748 exceed their targets as well . It is a 11:15.748 --> 11:18.109 recruiting renaissance in America , of 11:18.109 --> 11:21.440 America's best and brightest . When our 11:21.440 --> 11:23.551 standards are high , when the mission 11:23.551 --> 11:25.440 is clear , when we prioritize war 11:25.440 --> 11:28.190 fighting over wokeness , that energizes 11:28.479 --> 11:30.757 the young men and women of our country , 11:30.880 --> 11:33.400 the very patriots over this American 11:33.400 --> 11:35.479 experiment , we have always needed . 11:36.150 --> 11:38.780 They're proud of their country , We're 11:38.780 --> 11:40.940 proud of our military . And like 11:40.940 --> 11:43.260 generations before them , it will rise 11:43.260 --> 11:45.940 to the challenge set before us . As 11:45.940 --> 11:49.700 leaders , all of us , all we have to do 11:49.700 --> 11:52.609 is keep raising the bar . And putting 11:52.609 --> 11:55.080 the mission and our people first . 11:56.510 --> 11:58.510 That's reviving the warrior ethos . 11:59.250 --> 12:01.900 Second objective is rebuilding the 12:01.900 --> 12:05.070 military . You've all served long 12:05.070 --> 12:07.181 enough to see the downward trajectory 12:07.181 --> 12:09.348 of readiness in our forces . President 12:09.348 --> 12:11.789 Trump promised to reverse that decline . 12:12.460 --> 12:14.516 And that reversal is well underway , 12:14.516 --> 12:18.090 just 100 days in . He has declared and 12:18.090 --> 12:20.250 delivered on the beginnings of a 12:20.250 --> 12:22.361 generational investment in rebuilding 12:22.361 --> 12:24.528 our military , much like Ronald Reagan 12:24.528 --> 12:28.450 did . In the 1980s . Our goal is to put 12:28.450 --> 12:30.283 the best systems in the hands of 12:30.283 --> 12:32.506 warfighters to ensure that as leaders , 12:32.830 --> 12:35.049 You have the systems that support what 12:35.049 --> 12:37.105 you need for maximum lethality . You 12:37.105 --> 12:39.710 should never . Be in a fair fight . 12:40.090 --> 12:43.349 That's our job . First , we are rapidly 12:43.349 --> 12:47.000 moving to moving ahead on . Where 12:47.000 --> 12:49.000 president's key campaign promises , 12:49.000 --> 12:51.320 which is a golden dome for America , a 12:51.320 --> 12:54.719 nationwide missile defense system to 12:54.719 --> 12:56.775 protect Americans from the threat of 12:56.775 --> 13:00.039 nuclear , hypersonic , and conventional 13:00.039 --> 13:03.750 weapons here in our homeland . Another 13:03.750 --> 13:05.989 incredibly exciting program is the 13:05.989 --> 13:08.789 newly announced and already launched 13:08.789 --> 13:12.030 F-47 . It'll fly faster , 13:12.359 --> 13:14.869 further , more stealthy , and more 13:14.869 --> 13:17.599 lethal than any fighter jet in the 13:17.599 --> 13:20.570 history of mankind . When the president 13:20.570 --> 13:22.792 signed that , I was standing right next 13:22.792 --> 13:24.848 to him , I thought of my kids and my 13:24.848 --> 13:26.959 grandkids . Who will benefit from the 13:26.959 --> 13:28.681 projection of power that we're 13:28.681 --> 13:30.681 investing in right now . It sends a 13:30.681 --> 13:32.626 very clear message to our allies , 13:32.626 --> 13:34.737 we're not going anywhere . And to our 13:34.737 --> 13:37.320 enemies , we will be able to project 13:37.320 --> 13:39.750 power around the globe for decades to 13:39.750 --> 13:42.530 come . These investments are not just 13:42.530 --> 13:45.950 in Goldenville at 47 . Historic 13:45.950 --> 13:47.672 investments in the border , in 13:47.672 --> 13:50.469 hypersonics , in long range drones , in 13:50.469 --> 13:53.460 shipbuilding , in modernization , you 13:53.460 --> 13:55.460 name it , we're investing in it . 13:57.049 --> 13:59.049 Taking together these programs mean 13:59.049 --> 14:01.382 that we will be able to strike anywhere , 14:01.382 --> 14:03.650 anytime while our citizens at home will 14:03.650 --> 14:05.729 be protected from the worst that our 14:05.729 --> 14:07.785 enemies could possibly throw at us , 14:08.130 --> 14:11.450 defending the homeland . But it's not 14:11.450 --> 14:13.890 just these marquee programs . Over the 14:13.890 --> 14:16.049 past 100 days , we've been assessing 14:16.049 --> 14:18.859 the department from top to bottom to 14:18.859 --> 14:21.359 ensure that we're getting more , faster , 14:21.630 --> 14:24.289 better , and more efficient . Last 14:24.289 --> 14:26.233 month we published guidance to the 14:26.233 --> 14:28.789 acquisition workforce.ts won't keep it , 14:28.799 --> 14:32.109 it's very important . Reinforcing the 14:32.109 --> 14:35.130 software acquisition pathway . As our 14:35.130 --> 14:37.859 preferred model . We have to be able to 14:37.859 --> 14:40.026 get what we need and when we need it . 14:40.320 --> 14:42.309 And just this week we we began 14:42.309 --> 14:45.219 reviewing all 72 active major defense 14:45.219 --> 14:48.869 acquisitions programs . As President 14:48.869 --> 14:51.099 Trump outlined in his executive order 14:51.429 --> 14:54.369 on defense acquisition . We must have 14:54.369 --> 14:57.210 high performing mission aligned 14:57.210 --> 15:00.369 programs at every level . We're also 15:00.369 --> 15:02.425 strengthening our defense industrial 15:02.425 --> 15:04.480 pace , which is sadly been neglected 15:04.480 --> 15:06.669 over the last 4 years . We're 15:06.669 --> 15:09.219 establishing a new munitions war room , 15:09.950 --> 15:12.869 investing in expand critical mineral 15:12.869 --> 15:15.429 production , including rare earth 15:15.429 --> 15:17.596 elements , heavy rare earth elements , 15:17.596 --> 15:19.596 light rare earth elements , all the 15:19.596 --> 15:21.762 things we need that need to be made at 15:21.762 --> 15:23.830 home or by our allies and partners . 15:25.289 --> 15:27.233 And President Trump has created an 15:27.233 --> 15:30.270 office of shipbuilding . Ah , the navy 15:31.030 --> 15:33.429 Not at the Defense Department , but in 15:33.429 --> 15:36.109 the White House . To restore our 15:36.109 --> 15:38.109 maritime industrial base . 15:40.090 --> 15:42.090 We're also making our military more 15:42.090 --> 15:44.146 efficient . Meeting the warfighters' 15:44.146 --> 15:46.368 needs in the most cost effective manner 15:46.368 --> 15:49.070 and reallocating savings to our most 15:49.070 --> 15:51.237 mission critical areas . That's why we 15:51.237 --> 15:53.989 went through an exercise of finding 8% 15:53.989 --> 15:56.267 reductions across services . Of course , 15:56.267 --> 15:58.378 the media ran with it and called them 15:58.378 --> 16:00.433 cuts . No , this is how you plan and 16:00.433 --> 16:02.656 prioritize as you look where you can do 16:02.656 --> 16:04.822 more with less , and you shift out old 16:04.822 --> 16:08.679 priorities and move in new , maximum 16:08.679 --> 16:11.159 efficiency , focusing on what you need 16:11.159 --> 16:14.260 now and in the future . Through our 16:14.260 --> 16:16.482 part uh partnership with the Department 16:16.482 --> 16:18.520 of Government Efficiency , or GOS . 16:19.619 --> 16:22.979 Earlier this month , we identified $5.1 16:22.979 --> 16:25.035 billion in savings , and that's just 16:25.035 --> 16:28.750 the beginning . We're ending Contracts 16:28.750 --> 16:30.989 for business process consulting . 16:32.169 --> 16:35.320 Enterprise cloud IT services . And 16:35.320 --> 16:38.559 duplicative IT serves massive contracts 16:38.840 --> 16:41.039 that no one ever looks at , or people 16:41.039 --> 16:43.150 push a lot of paper and make a lot of 16:43.150 --> 16:44.817 PowerPoints and give a lot of 16:44.817 --> 16:46.650 consulting work , but it doesn't 16:46.650 --> 16:48.872 manifest in anything meaningful for the 16:48.872 --> 16:51.095 war fighters . So we can use that money 16:51.095 --> 16:53.150 for better health care . And mission 16:53.150 --> 16:55.150 critical programs , from process to 16:55.150 --> 16:58.599 people , from consultants to corporals . 17:00.099 --> 17:01.932 The bottom line is this , we are 17:01.932 --> 17:03.710 rebuilding the world's greatest 17:03.710 --> 17:05.655 fighting force with the challenges 17:05.655 --> 17:07.766 ahead of us . We're prioritizing what 17:07.766 --> 17:10.790 works . In cutting what does not . And 17:10.790 --> 17:13.012 yes , as the president . Announced from 17:13.012 --> 17:15.279 the Oval Office , we will have the 1st 17:15.279 --> 17:18.249 $1 trillion DOD module . 17:19.770 --> 17:22.103 What's the reason for that ? Well , one , 17:22.103 --> 17:24.214 we're digging out of a big hole , but 17:24.214 --> 17:26.159 the previous administration left , 17:26.159 --> 17:27.881 cratering our military and its 17:27.881 --> 17:30.214 capabilities and not investing properly , 17:30.214 --> 17:31.826 frankly , being reckless and 17:31.826 --> 17:33.826 irresponsible . Not just around the 17:33.826 --> 17:36.048 world with our image . But with what we 17:36.048 --> 17:38.270 invested in and did not invest in . But 17:38.270 --> 17:40.492 second , because we live in a dangerous 17:40.492 --> 17:42.659 world of growing threats . Not about a 17:42.659 --> 17:44.826 dollar amount and how much you spend , 17:44.826 --> 17:44.569 it's about ensuring what you spend 17:44.819 --> 17:46.597 matches the threats , that your 17:46.597 --> 17:49.060 capabilities match the threats . The 17:49.060 --> 17:51.060 president has charged me with doing 17:51.060 --> 17:53.060 that . Every single day through our 17:53.060 --> 17:55.393 budget process and our planning process , 17:55.393 --> 17:57.727 that's what we'll focus on working with . 17:57.829 --> 17:59.885 Uh , you know , Paycom and or co-com 17:59.885 --> 18:01.996 commanders at the tip of the spear to 18:01.996 --> 18:04.162 understand what they believe they need 18:04.162 --> 18:06.510 and delivering it . Your adversaries 18:06.510 --> 18:08.677 know that your military is filled with 18:08.677 --> 18:10.288 warriors and their logistics 18:10.288 --> 18:12.343 capabilities are robust and your war 18:12.343 --> 18:14.510 fighters have the most advanced weapon 18:14.510 --> 18:16.510 systems known to man . They're less 18:16.510 --> 18:18.232 likely to challenge you on the 18:18.232 --> 18:20.920 battlefield , which is the point . 18:22.709 --> 18:24.765 Which leads to our third objective . 18:25.430 --> 18:28.869 Re-establishing deterrents after 4 18:28.869 --> 18:32.469 years of deferred maintenance under the 18:32.469 --> 18:35.430 Biden's administration . Most 18:35.430 --> 18:37.486 importantly , and you saw it from my 18:37.486 --> 18:40.239 first visit . You saw it from the new 18:40.239 --> 18:42.406 chairman of the Joint Chiefs , raising 18:42.406 --> 18:44.406 Cain , his first visit coming up on 18:44.406 --> 18:46.959 Saturday , as we are securing our 18:46.959 --> 18:50.599 borders first . After decades 18:50.599 --> 18:53.520 of securing other people's borders in 18:53.520 --> 18:57.050 far off places , we are securing ours 18:57.439 --> 19:00.390 after a reckless invasion of over 20 19:00.390 --> 19:02.446 million people , and we have no idea 19:02.446 --> 19:04.446 who they are and why they're coming 19:04.446 --> 19:06.446 here has invaded our country , that 19:06.446 --> 19:09.280 ends . From day one we have surged 19:09.280 --> 19:12.160 posture to control the border and 19:12.160 --> 19:15.439 update our military planning at DOD to 19:15.439 --> 19:18.199 protect the United States from cross 19:18.199 --> 19:21.630 border threats . Or terrorist 19:21.630 --> 19:24.420 organizations designated the cartels , 19:24.829 --> 19:27.979 drugs , human trafficking , violence , 19:28.390 --> 19:30.619 death under the Trump administration , 19:30.689 --> 19:33.579 it ends . Under this defense department , 19:33.670 --> 19:37.500 we get 100% operational control 19:37.500 --> 19:40.180 of our border . We started on day one , 19:40.390 --> 19:42.790 we'll continue through day 100 all the 19:42.790 --> 19:44.901 way through the entirety of the Trump 19:44.901 --> 19:46.979 administration . Working with our 19:46.979 --> 19:49.780 partners at DHS and CBP , we've already 19:49.780 --> 19:52.449 seen a . If you're being generous , 19:52.660 --> 19:55.630 97% reduction in reality 19:55.630 --> 19:58.339 99% reduction in illegal border 19:58.339 --> 20:00.450 crossings compared to the same period 20:00.450 --> 20:03.699 in 2024 . Monthly encounters have 20:03.699 --> 20:07.619 dropped from 250,000 20:07.939 --> 20:09.995 encounters , most of which are false 20:09.995 --> 20:12.500 asylum claims . You have that's , you 20:12.500 --> 20:14.556 also have the known gotaways and the 20:14.556 --> 20:16.722 unknown gotaways , so it's much higher 20:16.722 --> 20:18.722 than 250,000 . You don't know where 20:18.722 --> 20:18.459 most of these people are coming from . 20:19.380 --> 20:21.602 Now to the trickle of a few thousands , 20:21.602 --> 20:23.547 all of which , most of which we're 20:23.547 --> 20:23.380 interdicting and engaging because of 20:23.380 --> 20:26.459 our force posture on the border in real 20:26.459 --> 20:29.020 time . It starts with people , it moves 20:29.020 --> 20:31.076 to infrastructure and surveillance , 20:31.076 --> 20:33.131 and our American troops , you should 20:33.131 --> 20:35.242 see their morale on the border . It's 20:35.242 --> 20:37.353 incredible when you're defending your 20:37.353 --> 20:39.576 own homeland with robust and sufficient 20:39.576 --> 20:41.853 assets , and you are able to interdict . 20:43.089 --> 20:44.930 Changes the whole game . We just 20:44.930 --> 20:47.369 designated a uh trial area for a new 20:47.369 --> 20:50.010 national defense area , where our 20:50.010 --> 20:52.232 troops now , instead of just looking at 20:52.232 --> 20:53.954 the border with binoculars and 20:53.954 --> 20:56.177 wondering who that person is and hoping 20:56.177 --> 20:57.843 CVP interdicts them , and now 20:57.843 --> 21:00.130 temporarily take action . To 21:00.459 --> 21:02.681 temporarily detain those folks and hand 21:02.681 --> 21:04.650 them over to CBP because of that 21:04.819 --> 21:07.489 authorized zone . It's a sea change 21:07.979 --> 21:10.459 from the open season , it was the 21:10.459 --> 21:14.079 previous administration . But not just 21:14.079 --> 21:16.359 here at home . In 3 of the most 21:16.359 --> 21:18.526 strategically important regions in the 21:18.526 --> 21:21.000 world , we are increasing allied burden 21:21.000 --> 21:23.520 sharing while we increase deterrence . 21:24.469 --> 21:26.413 America first doesn't mean America 21:26.413 --> 21:29.069 alone , it means we expect our allies 21:29.069 --> 21:31.630 to step up , to be true force 21:31.630 --> 21:34.630 multipliers for freedom . This approach 21:34.630 --> 21:37.000 ensures we achieve peace through 21:37.000 --> 21:40.800 strength . First , in Europe , 21:41.060 --> 21:43.380 our allies are finally thanks to 21:43.380 --> 21:44.991 President Trump in the first 21:44.991 --> 21:47.102 administration and again in these 1st 21:47.102 --> 21:49.459 100 days following America's call for 21:49.459 --> 21:52.900 European leadership . And ownership of 21:52.900 --> 21:55.010 continental security . We've 21:55.010 --> 21:56.843 transferred US leadership of the 21:56.843 --> 21:59.410 Ukraine Defense Contact Group to the UK 21:59.410 --> 22:02.130 and Germany . We've obtained 22:02.130 --> 22:05.780 commitments from Poland . One of 22:05.780 --> 22:08.459 many model allies , the Baltics , to 22:08.459 --> 22:11.449 spend 5% of their GDP on defense . 22:11.979 --> 22:14.260 We've made the same call to other 22:14.260 --> 22:17.260 allies . 2% is not enough considering 22:17.260 --> 22:21.099 the threats you face . 3% , 4% , 5% . 22:22.170 --> 22:23.948 And we made progress with major 22:23.948 --> 22:26.170 European powers who are setting initial 22:26.170 --> 22:28.170 targets . You're the one I spoke to 22:28.170 --> 22:30.281 just this morning . We increase their 22:30.281 --> 22:33.239 defense spending . The time of the 22:33.239 --> 22:35.719 United States , you're in Pennsylvania . 22:36.550 --> 22:38.849 You're in our beautiful country , being 22:38.849 --> 22:41.760 the sole guarantor of European security 22:42.369 --> 22:45.030 has passed . It's long overdue 22:45.920 --> 22:49.439 Europe has to step up . Fund its 22:49.439 --> 22:52.760 military and lead NATO . 22:53.689 --> 22:57.500 Needs to step up . Second , 22:57.660 --> 22:59.660 in the Middle East , we're pursuing 22:59.660 --> 23:01.882 stability and deterrence to the threats 23:01.882 --> 23:04.049 that exist there . President Trump has 23:04.049 --> 23:06.049 made it clear that America is fully 23:06.049 --> 23:08.216 committed to the security of our great 23:08.216 --> 23:10.630 allies in Israel . Just days after his 23:10.630 --> 23:13.770 inauguration , the DOD under President 23:13.770 --> 23:15.659 Trump's leadership , released the 23:15.659 --> 23:19.250 shipment of 2000 MK-48 bombs to Israel . 23:20.060 --> 23:22.599 Critical munitions of the Biden 23:22.599 --> 23:25.459 administration had blocked . The 23:25.459 --> 23:27.681 Defense Department has also delivered 3 23:27.681 --> 23:29.626 new F-35s to Israel with another 3 23:29.626 --> 23:31.609 aircraft on the way . reinforce 23:31.609 --> 23:33.569 Israel's self-reliance and pursue 23:33.569 --> 23:35.760 President Trump's goal of achieving 23:36.209 --> 23:39.339 Eastern strength . In Yemen 23:40.339 --> 23:42.339 The Defense Department is executing 23:42.339 --> 23:45.560 lethal operations against Houthi 23:45.560 --> 23:48.170 terrorists . Our forces have struck 23:48.170 --> 23:51.410 hundreds of targets and decimated . Luy 23:51.410 --> 23:53.989 leadership . Substantially reducing 23:53.989 --> 23:56.709 their capabilities and the threat to US 23:56.709 --> 23:59.709 ships in the Red Sea and across and 23:59.709 --> 24:03.369 through the bam . We have demonstrated 24:03.369 --> 24:05.510 America's commitment to defending our 24:05.510 --> 24:07.900 interests and restoring freedom of 24:07.900 --> 24:10.569 navigation , which we will do and are 24:10.569 --> 24:13.930 doing quickly . This is a clear , 24:14.260 --> 24:18.030 limited mission . Executed with 24:18.030 --> 24:21.969 ruthlessness . Full stop . We 24:21.969 --> 24:24.080 will run our ships through that bam . 24:25.130 --> 24:27.352 And our message to the Houthis has been 24:27.352 --> 24:29.519 clear from the beginning . Allow us to 24:29.519 --> 24:31.741 sail our ships through , and we'll stop 24:31.741 --> 24:34.140 shooting at you . Until then , you're 24:34.140 --> 24:36.680 gonna feel the pain . And I'll tell you , 24:37.010 --> 24:39.449 the Houthis are feeling the pain . We 24:39.449 --> 24:41.560 have demonstrated that any aggression 24:41.560 --> 24:43.810 against Americans will be met with 24:43.810 --> 24:46.650 decisive action , unlike what that 24:46.650 --> 24:48.449 region saw under the Biden 24:48.449 --> 24:50.671 administration . But this is not nation 24:50.671 --> 24:53.280 building . This is not land wars , this 24:53.280 --> 24:55.169 is not endless wars , this is not 24:55.169 --> 24:57.589 regime change . This is clear-eyed 24:57.880 --> 25:01.640 American national interests , executed 25:01.640 --> 25:03.640 decisively and overwhelmingly . 25:05.550 --> 25:07.550 Third and most importantly , we are 25:07.550 --> 25:09.383 deterring communist China in the 25:09.383 --> 25:12.170 Indo-Pacific and around the world . To 25:12.170 --> 25:14.226 deliver peace in this region , we're 25:14.226 --> 25:16.939 delivering a more forward regional 25:16.939 --> 25:20.040 force posture . We're supporting allies 25:20.040 --> 25:22.239 and partners . Allies and partners are 25:22.239 --> 25:24.520 our force multipliers , as they 25:24.520 --> 25:26.520 strengthen their own capabilities , 25:26.599 --> 25:29.520 including in Taiwan . We're also 25:29.520 --> 25:31.680 connecting US allies and partners to 25:31.680 --> 25:34.640 produce a stronger and more resilient , 25:34.920 --> 25:36.476 and more capable network of 25:36.476 --> 25:38.587 partnerships . That's why you've seen 25:38.587 --> 25:40.698 our travel out there , and there will 25:40.698 --> 25:42.642 be a lot more of it . In fact , in 25:42.642 --> 25:42.479 March , I took my first trip to the 25:42.479 --> 25:44.910 Indo-Pacific as secretary , the first 25:44.910 --> 25:47.900 trip to Guam in 20 years from a defense 25:47.900 --> 25:50.140 secretary . I traveled to the 25:50.140 --> 25:52.130 Philippines to meet with President 25:52.130 --> 25:54.209 Marcos and his Secretary of National 25:54.209 --> 25:57.760 Defense . We reaffirm the longstanding 25:58.319 --> 26:00.652 strength of the US Philippines alliance , 26:00.652 --> 26:02.708 a key piece in our strategy to deter 26:02.708 --> 26:05.569 and counter the communist Chinese . We 26:05.569 --> 26:08.250 also traveled to Japan . On that same 26:08.250 --> 26:10.790 trip and later . On a trip that a few 26:10.839 --> 26:13.119 few of you may have seen to uh Panama . 26:14.630 --> 26:16.670 At each stop , we announced new 26:16.670 --> 26:18.750 bilateral exercises , increased 26:18.750 --> 26:21.540 cooperation for military sales deals , 26:21.670 --> 26:23.892 and demonstrated our renewed commitment 26:24.030 --> 26:26.829 to President Trump's vision of peace 26:26.829 --> 26:30.160 through strength . In the Philippines , 26:30.199 --> 26:31.921 we are deploying more advanced 26:31.921 --> 26:33.920 capabilities , including Nemesis 26:33.920 --> 26:36.319 anti-ship missiles . In Japan , we 26:36.319 --> 26:39.119 announced phase one of upgrading US 26:39.119 --> 26:41.920 Forces Japan into a full-blown joint 26:41.920 --> 26:45.479 forces headquarters . In Panama , we 26:45.479 --> 26:48.829 secured a framework for first and free 26:49.119 --> 26:52.630 of Panama Canal passage for US military 26:52.630 --> 26:55.489 vessels and auxiliary vessels . As well 26:55.489 --> 26:58.770 as the additional presence of US troops 26:58.770 --> 27:00.890 stationed through both sides of the 27:00.890 --> 27:03.579 Panama Canal . As I said then and I 27:03.579 --> 27:06.439 will reaffirm today . The president 27:06.439 --> 27:09.239 pledged to take back the Panama Canal 27:09.239 --> 27:11.640 from Chinese influence , and with our 27:11.640 --> 27:13.584 partners , we're doing just that . 27:13.760 --> 27:16.699 Right in her own backyard . At every 27:16.699 --> 27:18.921 step , we are carrying out our strategy 27:18.921 --> 27:21.150 to increase deterrence against the 27:21.150 --> 27:24.050 communist Chinese . As I've said before , 27:24.130 --> 27:26.074 in these places when you meet with 27:26.074 --> 27:28.280 leaders who want to be with America , 27:28.609 --> 27:30.665 who believe in what America can do , 27:30.665 --> 27:32.665 have watched us when we're strong , 27:32.849 --> 27:34.849 they're making in many cases and in 27:34.849 --> 27:38.310 many places , a binary choice . It is 27:38.310 --> 27:40.189 either by with and through the 27:40.189 --> 27:42.989 Americans . Or with the communist 27:42.989 --> 27:46.300 Chinese . In the Indo-Pacific , around 27:46.300 --> 27:48.300 the world , but specifically in the 27:48.300 --> 27:50.356 Indo-Pacific and in our hemisphere , 27:50.356 --> 27:52.430 you can see it . You could see it in 27:52.430 --> 27:54.979 the eyes of allies and partners . You 27:54.979 --> 27:57.146 can see it in the influence underneath 27:57.146 --> 27:59.699 the surface . They want to be with us , 27:59.829 --> 28:02.229 but they need to see strength , and 28:02.229 --> 28:04.640 they need to see leadership . And 28:04.640 --> 28:06.418 that's what President Trump has 28:06.418 --> 28:09.069 provided in spades , not just in words , 28:09.280 --> 28:12.839 but in deeds , in action , and in 28:12.839 --> 28:16.540 deterrence . So is Europe shoulders 28:16.540 --> 28:18.318 more of a burden in continental 28:18.318 --> 28:20.550 security . That frees up resources for 28:20.550 --> 28:22.619 us to focus on countering the Malay 28:22.619 --> 28:24.675 influence of the communist Chinese . 28:25.170 --> 28:26.680 Where it matters most . 28:29.270 --> 28:31.603 Under the leadership of President Trump . 28:31.689 --> 28:34.900 The message to our adversaries in these 28:34.900 --> 28:38.780 1st 100 days in office has been 28:38.780 --> 28:42.400 undeniably clear . America is 28:42.400 --> 28:45.760 bad . At the Defense Department , that 28:45.760 --> 28:49.390 means no more distractions . No more 28:49.390 --> 28:52.380 social engineering . No more climate 28:52.380 --> 28:55.910 change worship . No more electric tanks . 28:56.849 --> 28:59.869 No more gender confusion . No more 28:59.869 --> 29:03.520 pronouns , no more excuses , no more 29:03.520 --> 29:06.939 quotas . No more woke bullshit 29:07.390 --> 29:09.557 that undermines commanders and command 29:09.557 --> 29:12.660 climates . We are laser focused on our 29:12.660 --> 29:16.260 mission of war fighting . We are color 29:16.260 --> 29:19.650 blind And we are merit based . 29:20.869 --> 29:22.989 We're restoring the warrior ethos , 29:23.310 --> 29:25.229 rebuilding the military , and 29:25.229 --> 29:28.189 re-establishing deterrence , and full 29:28.189 --> 29:30.810 stop . Enemy aggression will be met 29:30.810 --> 29:34.420 swiftly and harshly . We're beginning a 29:34.420 --> 29:36.819 new golden age of America , and a 29:36.819 --> 29:40.760 golden age of national defense . We 29:40.760 --> 29:42.816 have a bumper crop of new recruits , 29:42.959 --> 29:44.792 new planes , new missile defense 29:44.792 --> 29:46.959 systems on the way , allies increasing 29:46.959 --> 29:48.570 their defense spending , and 29:48.570 --> 29:52.150 adversaries on their heels . Today ? 29:52.859 --> 29:56.170 On this beautiful day . We have a brand 29:56.170 --> 29:59.369 new class , soon to be Army War College 29:59.369 --> 30:02.780 students about to graduate . You 30:03.910 --> 30:06.880 All of you are the future of our 30:06.880 --> 30:09.880 military . You will need these new 30:09.880 --> 30:12.939 recruits , eager , optimistic , 30:13.319 --> 30:17.010 young , ready . And soon to be 30:17.010 --> 30:20.760 trained They will look to you . You 30:20.760 --> 30:22.816 will lead the brigades , the ships , 30:22.816 --> 30:24.829 the groups , you will execute our 30:24.829 --> 30:28.099 tactical , operational , and strategic 30:28.099 --> 30:32.000 objectives all around the globe . You 30:32.000 --> 30:34.660 will set the standard . We're counting 30:34.660 --> 30:37.550 on you . And I know that you will 30:37.550 --> 30:41.260 deliver . At each and every step . With 30:41.260 --> 30:44.930 distinction God bless you . Godspeed to 30:44.930 --> 30:47.041 all of our warriors and thank you for 30:47.041 --> 30:48.930 having me today . Appreciate it . 31:00.849 --> 31:03.400 OK , they said , thank you for your 31:03.400 --> 31:04.900 time here this morning for 31:04.900 --> 31:07.233 communicating your focus and priorities . 31:07.560 --> 31:09.910 I know with this audience the sense of 31:10.239 --> 31:12.760 where your ethos resonates , and it's 31:12.760 --> 31:14.649 been my experience in 35 years of 31:14.649 --> 31:16.871 service to our nation that at the heart 31:16.871 --> 31:18.871 of the war ethos are discipline fit 31:18.871 --> 31:20.704 confidence soldiers . We've been 31:20.704 --> 31:22.927 investing for most of this past year in 31:22.927 --> 31:25.149 the intellectual fitness of the leaders 31:25.149 --> 31:27.149 that are on the field here with you 31:27.149 --> 31:26.880 today , but we're not , we're gonna 31:26.880 --> 31:29.102 take a step away from that for the next 31:29.102 --> 31:31.324 several days and . Engage on the fields 31:31.324 --> 31:33.547 of friendly strike and demonstrate some 31:33.547 --> 31:35.769 physical fitness . There's still , I've 31:35.769 --> 31:38.150 been told some open spots on our teams 31:38.150 --> 31:41.660 here . Softball , soccer , 31:41.819 --> 31:43.930 functional fitness , running , pimple 31:43.930 --> 31:46.979 ball , shooter's choice , sir . Got a 31:46.979 --> 31:49.035 good left to swing . I'll maybe join 31:49.035 --> 31:51.090 the softball team , but you'll be in 31:51.090 --> 31:53.090 uniform with this , sir . We're not 31:53.090 --> 31:52.819 said that to you . Thank you for your 31:52.819 --> 31:55.380 talk . Very good . Thank you . 32:23.359 --> 32:23.670 Uh