Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Navy

Below is a transcript of the remarks as delivered:

Secretary Austin, Secretary Del Toro, General Smith, Vice Admiral Davids, and parents, family, and friends of the Class of 2024, good morning, it is an honor for General Smith and I to be here with you today.

To the parents and friends of these exceptional young men and women sitting before us … there is no doubt that your love and steadfast support has played an outsized role in getting them to this day.

Thank you for providing them a strong foundation to build on and for enabling them to embark on this journey of service. How about one more round of applause for our parents out there!

To the Class of 2024 … welcome to America’s Warfighting Navy. From Adversity to Victory, over the past four years, you have worked hard, you have learned from the best, and you have become a leader of character.

Your spirit was tested, both inside and outside of Bancroft Hall … even in the “9th Wing.” While many of you might not look back too fondly on those experiences, especially those in Plebe year, they are what bind this class together in ways that no other class will ever relate to.

As Secretary Austin said, you are entering the service at a critical time in our Nation’s history, a time when the Navy-Marine Corps team is in high demand and in action on the world stage.

Welcome it. Savor it. Embrace it, because you are ready. You have all learned from one another, leaned into each other’s strengths, and overcome shared adversity together.

So as you prepare to head out on this next leg of your journey, let me leave you with three thoughts:

First, be a Leader. Whether you’re going to Flight School, Nuclear Power School, BUD/S, TBS, a Hospital, or my personal favorite, straight to the waterfront and out to sea, if you stay focused on the things that matter: integrity, people, teamwork, warfighting excellence, and safety, underpinned by a positive attitude and a winning mindset, there will be nothing your team can’t do, under your leadership.

Second, and I think have a head start on this, believe in yourself, believe in your teams, and always believe in the power of your dreams, you can do anything you set your mind to, in the Navy, in the Marine Corps, and in life.

And third, be open to every possibility. When I was in your shoes, I wanted to drive towards a certain future, like I was on I-95. On I-95, you kind of go in a straight line, Maine to Florida, you know what’s at every exit, you know how long it will take to get there. But, over the years I’ve realized that life is a lot more like the Potomac River than I-95. It meanders around, there are unexpected rapids, blind curves, eddies, and multiple branches. But, if you are open to all those possibilities…opportunities will come your way.

ADM Nimitz once said, and I am paraphrasing, “learn all you can, do your best, and don’t worry about the things you can’t control.” I found that quote when I was a midshipman and it has helped me every step of the way.

Focus on being your best and getting all the experiences you can, and one day when that possibility comes your way, and the door of opportunity opens, you will be ready to walk right through.

Lead, believe, and be open to the possibilities – 38 years of reflection, in 8 words. I hope they serve you as well on YOUR journey as they have served me on mine.

Class of 2024, today as you step up and take your place in America’s Warfighting Navy, you become a strong new link in our maritime chain, a chain that has defended our security and prosperity since our Nation’s creation.

It is a chain that brings together like-minded Nations with Navies, Marine Corps, and Coast Guards, who work together to protect the freedom of the seas and the economies that flow across them.

Take pride in that. You take pride in all that you have accomplished, and, take pride in the significance of this moment.

Soon to be Ensigns, thank you for choosing to serve our Nation in uniform, to serve something greater than yourself, and for wanting to make a difference – today and in the future. I congratulate you on all that you have achieved. Bravo Zulu! I could not be more excited to have you on the team.

Source: United States Navy

The U.S. Navy will employ emerging technologies while integrating best practices and lessons learned from previous ASW exercises. From seabed to space, the assets and personnel involved will use the full spectrum to conduct ASW.

““Red Guardian shows our commitment to advancing the art of integrated maritime warfare, incorporating advanced unmanned capabilities with our conventional ASW, a critical aspect of homeland defense,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. Second Fleet. “The Navy frequently conducts exercises and operations across all maritime domains to maintain readiness, refine tactics, and support homeland defense.”

Submarine Group Two executes integrated multi-domain undersea warfare to advance the art of theater undersea warfare providing our nation fully aware, fully informed, and fully connected undersea warfare forces at home and around the world.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

For more information, please visit www.navy.mil or https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/.

Source: United States Navy

The U.S. Navy and allies employ emerging technologies while integrating best practices and lessons learned from previous ASW exercises. From seabed to space, the assets and personnel involved will use the full spectrum to conduct ASW.

“Red Guardian shows our resolve and commitment to ASW, a much needed aspect of homeland defense,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S. Second Fleet. “The Navy frequently conducts exercises and operations across all maritime domains to maintain readiness, refine tactics, and support homeland defense.”

Submarine Group Two executes integrated multi-domain undersea warfare to advance the art of theater undersea warfare providing our nation fully aware, fully informed, and fully connected undersea warfare forces at home and around the world.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

For more information, please visit www.navy.mil or https://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/.

Source: United States Navy

The visit highlighted the laboratory’s work with the Navy on unmanned undersea vehicles, undersea weapons and platform sustainment technologies.

“Partnering with academia like Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory is a critical part of our Navy’s foundation,” said Kilby. “These men and women are solving some of our most pressing challenges in order to field and maintain the world’s most powerful Navy.”

The laboratory was founded in 1945 and is a Department of Defense designated University Affiliated Research Center and one of five Navy-sponsored UARCs. UARCs provide innovative and independent technical expertise in support of national security objectives.

In partnership with industry and the Navy, Penn State’s ARL maintains four designated competencies: communications, information, navigation; materials and manufacturing; fluid dynamics and acoustics; and undersea systems.

During his visit, Kilby visited the Garfield Thomas Water Tunnel which is the Navy’s principal experimental hydrodynamic research facility. The tunnel, deemed a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1996, allows research on a range of subjects such as propulsion, acoustics, cavitation and maneuvering.

Kilby also visited the Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Laboratory. Penn State’s ARL undersea systems research in undersea weapons, unmanned undersea vehicles and advanced sonars takes concepts from the early developmental phase through transition to industry and the fleet.

The research laboratory is a critical performer across the Navy’s Undersea Unmanned Vehicle efforts. Their experience and expertise leverage work in areas such as in UUV autonomy development, payload development and integration, and development the Navy’s UUV mine warfare capabilities.

“I’m incredibly impressed by the level of commitment I’ve seen here,” said Kilby. “The team’s breadth and depth supporting the Navy and our nation’s national security is remarkable. This is the forefront of innovation and cutting-edge technology.” For information on Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory, visit: https://www.arl.psu.edu/

Source: United States Navy

The staff talks were an opportunity to conduct a tri-Service meeting between the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and UK Royal Navy to assess progress on their shared Strategic Approach plan, known as “Delivering Combined Seapower” or DCS. DCS is a bilateral tri-service strategic approach plan that supports cooperation, collaboration, and integration among U.S. and U.K. maritime services.

“The U.K. is one of our longest standing allies and our partnership is fundamental to maritime peace and prosperity across the globe,” said Dwyer. “In an increasingly challenging security environment, our dialogue is crucial to reinforcing shared values and priorities.”

During the talks, the delegations discussed interoperability of the joint force, U.S.-U.K. interchangeability, and the collective commitment to safeguarding global maritime interests and promoting a rules-based international order.

“These annual staff talks have a sharp focus on improving our combined warfighting abilities,” said Connell. “‘Delivering Combined Seapower’ sets the ambition for Royal Navy, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps collaboration for the year ahead.”

Recently, U.S. and UK naval forces conducted a bilateral mine countermeasures exercise Poseidon’s Chalice in the Arabian Sea from Feb. 24 – March 16. The primary focus of the exercise was to maximize training opportunities in mine warfare and explosive ordinance disposal training.

This was conducted through an integration of naval assets from the Royal Navy and U.S. Navy, and additional training opportunities to include: mine sweeping elements, anti-terrorism operations, small boat operations, an underway replenishment-at-sea and damage control drill.

These recent exercises and today’s staff talks strengthen the ironclad partnership between the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development (N7) is charged with advancing Navy Warfighting advantage in order to deter, dissuade and deny, or defeat adversaries.