Month: October 2024

Source: United States Navy

Introduction/Thank You

Good morning, everyone!

It is an honor to be here with you this morning to celebrate the service of Vice Admiral Crandall and to welcome Vice Admiral French as he assumes the role of Judge Advocate General of the Navy and command of the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Vice Admiral Crandall’s family and friends here with us today.

To Vice Admiral Crandall’s wife, Barb, thank you for your dedication and all you have sacrificed on behalf of the Navy.

You have been a valued member of our Navy team since your husband’s time in NROTC over forty years ago.

I thank you for your selfless volunteer work with the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society and the Navy Officer’s Spouses Club, along with organizations outside of the Navy such as the annual Alzheimer’s Walk for Life and Christ Church Washington Parish for Calvary Women’s Services.

All this while working part-time as the office manager and paralegal at a law firm in Burke, Virginia.

While we are celebrating your husband’s achievements today, we are also celebrating yours, and I wish you the best in your retirement. Congratulations.

To Mr. Darse Crandall and Mrs. Ruth Ann Crandall, thank you for raising an incredible son who dedicated his career and indeed his life in service of our great Nation.

Kathie and Amy, it is wonderful to have you here in celebration of your nephew and brother.

And to Admiral Crandall’s sons William, Andrew, and Edward, thank you for your support throughout your father’s distinguished career.

I also want to welcome and thank Vice Admiral French’s family for being here today.

To Vice Admiral French’s children, Lieutenant Caity French and First Lieutenant Andy French, I thank you not only for your unwavering support of your father throughout his career, but also for your own service in the United States Navy and United States Army, respectively.

As we all know, families truly are the backbone of our armed forces, and I was blessed to have the support of my wife Betty and our sons throughout my career in the Navy and now.

I welcome and thank our Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Franchetti, for her leadership of our United States Navy.

General Dunford and General Milley, thank you for your guidance of our service men and women around the world during your tenures.

Admiral Richardson and Admiral Gilday, thank you for being here and for your leadership of our Sailors and service to this great Nation.

Deputy Assistant to the President Geltzer, I thank you for your presence today and for your important work at the National Security Council.

Thank you to General Counsel Krass, former General Counsel Preston, General Counsel Coffey, and General Counsel Beshar for your service within the Department of Defense, for our service members, and for the civilians who support them.

Welcome to Chief Justice Ohlson, Senior Judge Effron, and Judge Maggs. Thank you for your presence today and your work at the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

And to all of our general officers, flag officers, senior enlisted leaders, distinguished visitors, guests, family, and friends: welcome, and thank you for joining us for this ceremony.

I am humbled and honored to be a part of this momentous occasion today—the changing of command from one accomplished officer to another, and to celebrate the service of Vice Admiral Crandall.

World Today/OJAG Accomplishments

Our Navy JAG Corps is essential to ensuring our Sailors are ready.

And this is vital, because as you have seen and read in the news, we face tremendous uncertainty in the world today.

For the first time since World War II, we face a comprehensive maritime power—our pacing challenge—in the Indo-Pacific.

The People’s Republic of China continues to exert its excessive maritime claims through their navy, coast guard, and maritime militia.

In Europe, Russia is well into the third year of its full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine is fighting not just for their own liberty and freedom—they are fighting to protect democracy in Europe and indeed around the world.

In the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, we are working alongside our NATO allies and Middle East Partners to ensure the safety of innocent, civilian mariners and protecting our commercial shipping against Iranian-aligned Houthi attacks.

Immediately following Hamas’s brutal attack against the people of Israel on October 7th, our Sailors and Marines were on station, the ready integrated force the world needed.

Our Navy-Marine Corps Team is at the forefront of defending and preserving global stability, and we remain committed to ensuring freedom of navigation of the world’s seas and oceans.

Our mission would be impossible without the essential work of our Navy JAG Corps. And Vice Admiral Crandall’s leadership of the twenty-three hundred attorneys, enlisted Legalmen, and civilian employees of the Navy JAG Corps community was integral to their many successes.

Throughout his time as Judge Advocate General of the Navy, Vice Admiral Crandall provided tailored legal advice for high-profile cases and the most sensitive matters affecting the Department of the Navy.

Under his supervision, the JAG Corps teams adeptly operated a full federal court-martial system, with counsel and judges executing military justice matters from investigation to final appeal.

He implemented a total overhaul of the Navy’s legal technology, modernizing the Navy’s case management and tracking systems, and implementing deliberate, repeatable processes to ensure these systems continue far into the future.

While accomplishing all of this, he also led the Navy’s implementation of Congressional and DoD reforms, including establishing and reaching full operational capability for the Office of Special Trial Counsel.

This worldwide military justice organization prosecutes “covered offenses”—violations of certain Punitive Articles of the UCMJ—and overall increases readiness of our Fleet and Force.

Throughout his tenure, the JAG Corps has grown significantly, adjusting to unprecedented demands and cases. And throughout this growth and extraordinary change, Vice Admiral Crandall has never forgotten about the Sailors and civilians of the JAG Corps.

He, in fact, committed to and prioritized strengthening the cooperation between the Department of the Navy’s uniformed and civilian lawyers, and graciously welcomed my General Counsel aboard in early 2022.

Vice Admiral Crandall, I could create a laundry list of your accomplishments over the past three years as Judge Advocate General of the Navy, but we would be here all day.

And although I know you may be eager to begin charging by the hour, I’m afraid you’re going to have to take these remarks pro bono.

The tremendous work you accomplished during your tenure as principal military legal counsel to both myself and the Chief of Naval Operations cannot be overstated.

Thank you for your tireless pursuit of justice and protection of the law.

Because of your efforts, experience, and vision, you leave a lasting legacy for others to follow.

Closing

I thank you all once again for this opportunity to speak at this incredible occasion.

Vice Admiral Crandall, thank you for your four decades of honorable and faithful service to the United States Navy and this great Nation. It is my sincere hope that you and Barb enjoy a wonderful and fulfilling retirement.

Vice Admiral French, I wish you the best of luck as you assume command of the Office of the Judge Advocate General. Admiral Franchetti and I look forward to working with you and benefitting from your sound counsel.

You should have no trouble tracking me down if there is anything you need.

And I certainly look forward to hearing about the continued success of our Navy JAG Corps.

May God bless our Sailors, Marines, civilians, and their families with fair winds and following seas. Thank you.

Source: United States Navy

Introduction/Thank You

Good morning, everyone! It is incredible to be here with you all to kick off another great year of Navy Football!

Vice Admiral Davids, thank you for that kind introduction, and for your stewardship of our beloved alma mater.

I am proud to serve alongside you in your capacity as the 65th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, and I know you are excited to experience your first full academic year with the first class selected under your watch—the Great Class of 2028!

To our many distinguished guests, supporters of the Naval Academy, USNA alumni, and family and friends of current and former Midshipmen here with us this morning—thank you.

Thank you for your support of this institution, and for your love, dedication, and devotion to supporting our Brigade of Midshipmen.

Right now, as we gather here in Annapolis, graduates of this institution are serving around the globe, deterring our adversaries and addressing challenges posed by our competitors.

We are serving in capacities across the entire spectrum of leadership opportunities within our Department, from Secretary of the Navy and Acting Undersecretary of the Navy to the most junior Ensigns and Second Lieutenants.

While the roles and responsibilities of each position vary, one constant remains—each one of us are entrusted with the lives of Sailors and Marines, our fellow Americans.

Every Midshipman on the field and in the stands before us today represents a link in the chain of our legacy—a legacy that dates back to 1845.

It is our responsibility to ensure they are ready to lead in every domain they operate in, from the seabed to the stars, and that they are prepared to withstand the pressures of deployment, separation from their loved ones, and for the harsh realities of combat.

These men and women are indeed more than just college students, for this is “Not College.” They are officers-in-training who represent the future of our Fleet and our Force.

All of us gathered here today play a key role in their development, and I cannot thank you enough for the support you all provide to our Midshipmen as they answer the call to serve our great nation.

Again, it is an honor to be with you all today.

And I would be remiss if I did not close with Go Navy, Beat Bucknell!

And more importantly, BEAT ARMY!

Thank you.

Source: United States Navy

Throughout the course of the month, we will reflect upon our individual and collectives roles as “Cyber Warriors”, and the critical contribution of cyber to the Navy’s warfighting and business support missions!

Each Monday during the month of October, we will transmit a new message focused on different elements of cybersecurity and the roles we all play in them. Cybersecurity is the foundation of everything we do, whether you are a fire control technician, 9-1-1 dispatcher, or contracting officer, the steps you take to keep the Navy cyber secure are critical to our mission success.

The CNO’s North Star states “By 2027, the Navy will be more ready for sustained combat as part of a Joint and Combined force, prioritizing the People’s Republic of China as the pacing challenge and focusing on enabling the Joint warfighting ecosystem.” To meet CNO’s goals, it is critical we as a Navy continue to improve our cyber posture, hardening our cyber defenses and improving our resiliency so that Sailors can continue to operate in a contested cyber environment. According to the Office of the Director National Intelligence, China remains the most active and persistent cyber threat to U.S. Government, private-sector, and critical Infrastructure networks.

Even now, state-sponsored cyber actors are seeking to pre-position themselves on our information technology networks for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks. In the event of a major conflict, the Navy must be prepared to sustain and counter aggressive cyber operations against both critical infrastructure and military assets.

A key part of that preparation is improving the Navy’s cyber resiliency, which is our ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse conditions, attacks, or compromises on systems. The goal is to ensure that critical systems have the ability to deliver capabilities and execute supported missions in a contested cyber environment. By improving our resiliency we are improving our readiness.

Cyber Resiliency is a cornerstone to our Navy’s ability to achieve the CNO’s North Star and compete in the globally interconnected battlespace of 21st century conflict.

Source: United States Navy

Introduction

Good morning, everyone!

It is wonderful to be here with you today for this special occasion, at Farragut Seawall, named after our Nation’s first Admiral and our Navy’s first prominent Hispanic leader.

Assistant Secretary Berger, thank you for your leadership as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and the Environment. The work you do every day is crucially important for the readiness of our Sailors, Marines, and Midshipmen.

Vice Admiral Davids, thank you for your leadership of the Naval Academy and of the future leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps.

To all of our distinguished guests, Navy and Marine Corps leaders, Naval Academy faculty, and those who laid the groundwork to get us to where we are today: welcome and thank you for joining us to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for the newly fortified Farragut Seawall.

Enduring Priorities

When I entered office as Secretary of the Navy, I laid out Three Enduring Priorities zhich are the foundation for all we do in the Department of the Navy.

My priority of Strengthening Maritime Dominance centers on ensuring our Sailors and Marines have the best ships, aircraft, and technology available, so that if we are called, we may fight and decisively win our Nation’s wars.

And my priority of Building a Culture of Warfighting Excellence concerns taking care of people.

Our people—our Midshipmen—are our greatest strength, and force readiness begins and ends with them.

And just as our people all around the world deserve robust infrastructure to work, sleep, and study, they also deserve protection from external threats caused by one of the most destabilizing forces of our time.

To remain the world’s dominant maritime force, the Department of the Navy must rapidly adapt to existential threats such as climate change.

Building a Climate-Ready Force

In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel battered the Atlantic Coast.

And the category five hurricane did not spare the Naval Academy or our future warfighters here.

The rising water flooded classrooms and damaged buildings—the devastation is evident in photos depicting classroom doors barely peeking above the floodwaters and buildings around the Yard partially submerged.

The damage resulted in disruptions to classes and normal operations for our Brigade of Midshipmen, along with over one hundred million dollars’ worth of repairs.

And since Hurricane Isabel made landfall twenty years ago, our world today has continued to face increasingly unpredictable and devasting weather phenomenon.

Yet, the Department of the Navy is actively adapting and innovating for the changing landscape of the world and indeed of warfare.

We have set out ambitious goals which we accomplish through installation resilience—by ensuring that our people, systems, and facilities can continue to operate effectively and accomplish our mission in the face of worsening climate impacts.

Less than two years ago, we held a ceremony here to break ground on the first project to safeguard the Naval Academy from rising sea levels.

Our efforts today will significantly enhance the development of our future Navy and Marine Corps leaders, enabling them to learn, grow, and thrive with minimal disruption.

For the sake of force resilience and our people, we must continue looking over the horizon towards future challenges, finding new ways to innovate and modernize our Force.

May the success of the Farragut Seawall project illuminate the path for future climate resilience initiatives.

Closing

I thank all of you for being here today, to celebrate this momentous occasion and the Department of the Navy’s commitment to our future Navy and Marine Corps Officers.

I look forward to the enduring success of my alma mater as the difficult task of shaping warfighters to face an uncertain future continues—from tomorrow to 2100 and beyond.

May God bless our Midshipmen, Sailors, Marines, and all who support them. Thank you.

Source: United States Navy

Good morning, everyone!

It is an honor to be with you here today at the Naval Academy for the groundbreaking ceremony of the long overdue renovations to Bancroft Hall, named in honor of this school’s founder and the 17th Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft.

Assistant Secretary Berger, thank you for being here today, and for your leadership as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and the Environment. The work you accomplish every day is critical to supporting our Sailors, Marines, and future warfighters here at the Naval Academy.

Vice Admiral Davids, thank you for your leadership of the future officers of our Navy and Marine Corps, and for your commitment to prioritizing the infrastructure which supports our education enterprise.

Mayor Buckley, thank you for being here today, for your service and leadership of the City of Annapolis, and for your unwavering support of our Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy.

County Executive Pittman, we share the values of a more sustainable and secure energy future, and I thank you for your continued partnership and service to Anne Arundel County.

And I know we could not be here today without the detailed planning and heavy lift of so many of our outside partners, those who have realized this plan from its inception two years ago.

Captain Schwarz, the interdependence between the Naval Support Activity and the Naval Academy is on full display today. Thank you for your leadership and guidance of NSA Annapolis.

To all of our flag and general officers, distinguished guests, Navy and Marine Corps leaders, and Naval Academy faculty: welcome and thank you for joining us to celebrate the groundbreaking and beginning of our Bancroft Hall renovations.

Enduring Priorities

When I entered office as Secretary of the Navy, I laid out Three Enduring Priorities which serve as the foundation of all we do in the Department of the Navy.

My priority of Strengthening Maritime Dominance centers on ensuring our people have the best infrastructure, equipment, and technology available, so that, if called, we may fight and decisively win our Nation’s wars.

Strengthening maritime dominance also crucially encompasses adapting to our current and future threats—including climate change, a national security threat which jeopardizes the operational readiness of our Navy and Marine Corps.

My priority of Building a Culture of Warfighting Excellence is focused on taking care of people.

Because our people—Sailors, Marines, civilians, and Midshipmen alike—provide the foundational strength for this Department.

In order to accomplish their mission, our Midshipmen require adequate facilities to train, learn, and grow.

And the Department of the Navy is forward-looking and focused on the challenges which lie ahead.

Building a Climate-Ready Force

We have created the foundation and guidelines by which we are building a climate-ready, warfighting force through Climate Action 2030 and the Naval Academy’s Installation Resilience Plan.

Here at the Naval Academy, we are developing solutions to climate issues through the Center for Energy Security and Infrastructure Resilience, or “CESIR” [SEE-zuhr].

Established earlier this year, CESIR will equip Midshipmen with the knowledge and skills to address complex climate challenges throughout their naval careers.

What’s more, we are investing in the climate resiliency of our facilities, to include this renovation of Bancroft Hall.

As the center of Midshipman life—the building in which our over four thousand future Navy and Marine Corps Officers sleep and study, Bancroft Hall is a symbol of the Naval Academy as a whole.

The bonds of camaraderie among our Midshipmen are forged here at Bancroft Hall, creating lifelong friendships and shaping our young Americans into the warfighting leaders our Navy and Marine Corps Team needs.

However, severe weather events have impacted the longevity of our buildings both inside and out.

Given the criticality of Bancroft Hall to the mission of the United States Naval Academy in developing the future warfighters of our Fleet and our Force, we must continue to invest in its maintenance and improvement.

As I have said before, our people are our greatest strength, and force readiness and resilience begin and end with them.

This critical investment in our infrastructure is inextricably connected to our mission readiness here at the Naval Academy.

Despite the tremendous scale and consequences of climate change, we possess both the means and opportunity to address them, and I am proud to stand here today as we embark on the beginning of this necessary infrastructure investment for our Midshipmen.

Closing

I thank all of you once more for joining us today, to celebrate the groundbreaking of our Bancroft Hall renovation efforts, the first step in reducing the threat posed by the world’s changing climate to our personnel, platforms, systems, and installations.

It is my sincere hope that our actions today spur collective action throughout the Department of Defense, the Nation, and indeed the world.

May God bless our Midshipmen, Sailors, Marines, civilians, and all who support them.

Thank you.