WEBVTT

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And the Shipley family , General

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Langley , General Grinkowicz , fellow

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generals and admirals if there are any

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other admirals here . Ambassadors , men

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and women in uniform , guests , thank

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you all for being here today , and what

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a fabulous day it is to celebrate with

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the Soft Gs and the Ss and with the

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Marines . And uh even the weather

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turned out nice here . I , I , I

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figured that must be a special request

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that was put in maybe combination by

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the sergeant Major and the chaplain got

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that one done . Well done .

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So I have been uh . Sitting on a joke

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for about 15 years .

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I have only told it twice and my days

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are numbered to share it again , and I

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think this is a good setting for it .

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Yes , it is a Marine Corps joke .

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So I see the Marines already all

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stiffening up that somebody in the Navy

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is gonna tell a marine joke . This is a

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very true story . So I was living in uh

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Arlington , Virginia . And our neighbor

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had a young boy about 6 years old .

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And he was in that phase where he liked

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to tell jokes . And many times

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he , you know , understood the surface

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of the joke , but maybe not the deeper

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meaning of the joke , but he liked to

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see a laugh come out from the adults in

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the neighborhood . So one day when I

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was out doing some yard work , he ran

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over and says , Mr . Munch , I have a

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joke . And I said , well , uh , what is

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it ? And he said . How many

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Marines does it take to change a light

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bulb ?

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Well , I thought I'd play it safe , and

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I said one . And he got a big

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grin on his face and he said , no ,

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none . Marines aren't afraid of the

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dark .

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But just think about the influence of

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the Marine Corps . That a boy who is

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barely old enough to go to school .

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Equas not being afraid of the dark ,

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the bravest thing he knows at that age

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with being a marine . I think that

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really says something .

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All right , we'd like to thank

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everybody who helped set up the events

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today , uh , clearly a wonderful job .

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I note , uh , the theme of naval

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integration in the band . Thanks for

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demonstrating that . I also appreciate

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that they played the US Naval Forces

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Europe and Africa march just before we

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started the ceremony .

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So , uh , General So , as I look back

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on our time , I think there are 3

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things that I knew I could always count

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on from you . The first is a

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characteristic that is always present .

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It's always there . No matter whether

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we were talking about something quite

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serious , something lighthearted . If

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we were in the headquarters or out in

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the field or out on liberty . Or if we

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were in uniform or we were not .

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And that thing that was always present .

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Was the G-man grin . See ?

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Uh , you always brought it out at the

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right moment and to good effect , and

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you're not the , uh , the first

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military leader to be like that . There

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was a pretty famous fellow here who

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used to walk these grounds named

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General Eisenhower also had that

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characteristic . And uh we always look

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forward to that when we meet with you .

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When is the Gen grin gonna come out ?

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Terrific . The second thing we can

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always count on was that your default

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position would be naval integration .

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So we did our maritime campaign plan

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together . Both of us signed it . It

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guides all four of our commands

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together in what we do on a day to day

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basis . Exercises . We joined together

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to form the Joint Force Maritime

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Component Command .

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Uh , actual events out in the field

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like the earthquake relief in Turkey .

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With Task Force 612 .

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Or even things like the recently

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completed African Maritime Forces

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summit where we have joined together in

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partnership and do that together . So I

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think this is probably the foremost

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example that I know of around the globe

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of naval integration that we really did

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it . And we did it because it was a

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default position of ours . And uh I

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think you're to be commended for that .

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The 3rd thing I knew I could always

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count on in working with Bob was

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commitment . He was always all

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in .

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It was going to be full on effort . Not

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only by himself but by his commands as

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well . And we always try to reciprocate .

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I hope we we lived up to that . Um ,

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There's a lot that we did together

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because of that that level of

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commitment that you brought to

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everything that we do . We're

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gonna miss working with you . Because

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of everything that you contributed .

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And I appreciate it personally very

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much . I think it was important to the

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Navy and the Marine Corps and by

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extension I think important to the

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nation what you did . Thank you .

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General Shipley , I look forward to

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working with you as well . We both had

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the fate that we were Pacific focused

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and then we got sent here . I would

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tell you it's a good transition . And

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as General Langley already said , it

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involves some hard thinking . Um , but

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it's good thinking , and we do good

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things because of it and look forward

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to working with you . So again , uh ,

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thank you all for being here . um ,

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thank you Bob , for everything that

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you've contributed , uh , knuckles , it

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could take me a little while to get

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used to calling you that , but look

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forward to working with you as well ,

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and , uh , always remember Marines are

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not afraid of the dark .

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Ladies and gentlemen , Lieutenant

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General Roberta L . Shea , the

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commander , United States Marine Corps

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Forces Fleet Marine Force Atlantic and

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Marine Corps Forces North .

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Hey , good morning , everyone . I just

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want to double click on the welcome and

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the thanks to everybody who put today ,

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uh , today's ceremony together , um .

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First met Bob when I was a plebe at the

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Naval Academy . He was a year ahead of

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me , and he made it very well known

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that all of the prior enlisted Marines

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were gonna take care of each other .

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And we are all gonna get through

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together as a team . For someone like

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me who took 4.5 years to get through

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high school , it was great knowing that

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somebody like Bob had my back . And

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then when I became a sophomore , a

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youngster , I was super grateful to

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have Adrian as a company mate in 20th

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Company , great separately but amazing

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together . Together they led the

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airborne training unit at the Naval

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Academy where after going to airborne

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school we would all have the privilege

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of Bob and Adrian throwing us out the

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back of aircraft . Think about that .

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As midshipmen , they were literally

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rigging parachutes that we would use in

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our jumps . So I know it was in vogue a

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few years ago for folks with MBAs to

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philosophically ask the question . Who

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would you trust to pack your parachute ?

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Well , it's not philosophical for me .

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I don't have to make up facts . When I

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answer , I trust Bob and Adrian .

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They're an amazing team and what was

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true 30 years ago just as true today .

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They know that when you're surrounded

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by great people with a positive outlook

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on life and a commitment to other

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people's success , we all succeed

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together . And over the past 2 years

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they have built a team of marines ,

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civilians , contractors , and families

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who have worked tirelessly to achieve

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our naval campaign objectives , support

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both UCO and AFRICO , and most

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importantly , take care of each other

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while doing it . As Bob often says ,

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making it feel like a family business ,

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passion , long hours , worn out shoe

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leather , but pride in their work . And

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as General Langley noted , it doesn't

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come without challenges . You have 4

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4-star bosses . You're on the road 3

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weeks or more each month ,

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crisscrossing from Europe to Africa ,

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back to the states at a pace that would

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ruin most people . But all this

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time and away , it's worth it . And you

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do it , Bob , because you're old school .

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Because you believe in face to face

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meetings , not teams , not FaceTime ,

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not Tam Berks . You led with a

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philosophy of it's great to see you

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again , instead of it's nice to meet

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you , which is invaluable in developing

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meaningful partnerships and teams .

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Your example enabled the team to

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achieve remarkable things as some of

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the speakers have talked about . You

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and your team helped reestablish the

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Marine Corps' relationship with the

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Ukrainian Marine Corps . You assisted

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in the development of the Kenyan Marine

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Corps . You provided scalable Marine

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Corps support to JTF 406 in the wake of

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the October 7th attacks , and you

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helped shape the maritime campaign plan .

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You fostered an invaluable partnership

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between 2nd Fleet and Mark 4 A . And

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under remarkably difficult

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circumstances , you kept the MV 22s

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flying in support of AFRICO recognizing

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that there are some missions and some

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places . That can only be accessed for

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the Osprey . And Bob , you know that

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success in our Marine Corps is more

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about people than it is about

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technology and platforms . That's why

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you and Adrian created a family

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atmosphere here . Opening your home up

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for picnics and and and barbecues at

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your home , boss's night , and then

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although by all accounts , you probably

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have the worst handwriting in the

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United States Marine Corps . Your

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personal touch and handwritten birthday

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notes are renowned throughout your

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staff . You will be remembered here as

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a charismatic extrovert that always

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made time for his people . When the

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commandant made this choice , he made

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the right choice because he knew he

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needed a leader of consequence who

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could make things happen . And Bob ,

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you made things happen and you did it

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with a happy heart and a great example

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for all of us . Knuckles and Kim will

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build upon that foundation . Knuckles ,

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you are the right leader for this time .

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You're no stranger to NATO operations .

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You've flown tough missions from

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carriers from ashore in combat in Iraq

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and Afghanistan , and at the forward

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edge in Okinawa . In addition , in

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addition to your operational excellence ,

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you've served almost everywhere that we

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could assign you as a Blue Angel in

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almost every department and

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headquarters , Marine Corps , the JSF

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program office , and time on the joint

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staff . Your tremendous experience and

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leadership are the right time to lead

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Marines out on the forward edge .

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Marines who are willing to respond not

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in weeks , not in days , but in hours ,

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at a moment's notice when our nation

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needs them most . Delivering lethal

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capabilities or a helping hand with our

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partners and allies , we are grateful

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to your Kim's and Camden's willingness

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to serve in every limb and place and

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serve with professionalism , humility ,

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and grace . So ladies and gentlemen , I

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am grateful to be able to represent the

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common out of the Marine Corps and

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stand alongside such two incredible

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leaders and two incredible families who

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are so willing to serve our nation .

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And serve the AFRICOM and UCO families .

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Semper fidelis .

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Ladies and gentlemen , Major General

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Robert B . Sofy .

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Alright , real quick , shake it out .

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Like , like this , like shake it up .

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Like this , right , OK , good , good .

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All right , that is

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All right , uh , good morning , uh ,

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everybody . Uh , it's , uh , it's so

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great to be here . I guess I'm a

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batting fit . I , I think if , if I'm

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doing my numbers right , and , uh , you

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know , in American baseball , you know ,

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the responsibility of the guy that bats

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fit . It's just don't strike out dude

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just don't strike out , right ? All the

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good guys have already gone , right ?

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You know we've already tried to clear

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the bases , uh , and now the 5th guy

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just don't screw it up . That's so , uh ,

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so here we are . It's , it's with a

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grateful heart and , uh , no small

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sense of awe . That I

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follow literally , figuratively , uh .

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And try to be worthy of , to be

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perfectly honest , uh , the fine

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leadership of General Langley , General

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Grinkovich , Admiral Munch . General

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Shea , it's , uh , uh , what a

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privilege it is , uh , to stand up here

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today and haven't enjoyed the

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leadership that you provide each and

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every day . So thank you very much .

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You make me better , you make us better .

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Each and every day . And besides , how

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great is it to have all 4 of your

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bosses in one place at one time , right ?

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The , uh , what could possibly go wrong ?

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Yeah , so , uh , so far , so far so

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good , um , I'm delighted that y'all

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are here , uh , I really , really am .

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I , I think my battle buddy Sergeant

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Major McGuinness is still figuring out

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how happy he is that you're all here ,

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um , and , uh , but , uh , I think

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you'll get there , uh , Sergeant Major ,

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thank you to you and Liz and , uh , uh ,

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uh , for , for , for being who you are ,

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uh , it's awesome . Uh , thanks also ,

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uh , uh , Matt , Casey , Justin ,

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Katherine , you're here , Tim , I see

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in the back , uh , to the , the guys

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between the doors , uh , that keep this

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place running each and every day . Uh ,

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we love you guys . Thank you . Uh ,

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Ambassadors , generals , Sergeant Major

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Woods , Sergeants Major , other senior

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enlisted leaders . All protocols are

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observed . I learned that in Africa ,

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uh , uh , we are humbled and honored uh

16:09.780 --> 16:12.369
by your presence here today and , uh ,

16:12.380 --> 16:14.547
it , it's terrific , uh , to have such

16:14.547 --> 16:16.820
a great showing . Uh , for our allies

16:16.820 --> 16:19.250
who traveled here today , thank you ,

16:19.460 --> 16:21.682
uh , Ivo Morman , the commandant of the

16:21.682 --> 16:23.793
Royal Netherlands Marine Corps , uh ,

16:23.793 --> 16:25.904
Major General Lars Larvik , leader of

16:25.904 --> 16:27.960
the Norwegian Army , your leadership

16:27.960 --> 16:29.960
and collaborative spirit were a sei

16:29.960 --> 16:32.190
wanan for the rich multinational effort

16:32.190 --> 16:34.979
in Romania that is quietly training an

16:34.979 --> 16:36.979
ever more powerful Ukrainian Marine

16:36.979 --> 16:39.460
Corps to fight and win against the

16:39.460 --> 16:42.630
Russians . I met the Ukraine commandant

16:42.880 --> 16:45.400
on the border a few weeks ago , and he

16:45.400 --> 16:47.622
remarked that our collective effort was

16:47.622 --> 16:51.280
producing his best fighters . Think

16:51.280 --> 16:53.419
about that . Think about them from

16:53.419 --> 16:56.219
where we were , Ivo , right from where

16:56.219 --> 16:59.140
we were to where we are . Man , that's

16:59.140 --> 17:01.299
a big deal . It's personal .

17:03.200 --> 17:05.640
Further , your embrace of NATO's newest

17:05.640 --> 17:08.280
members has redefined the high North

17:08.280 --> 17:10.800
for both NATO , the United States , and

17:10.800 --> 17:13.130
the Marine Corps . We're excited for

17:13.130 --> 17:15.074
the road ahead and the significant

17:15.074 --> 17:16.852
contributions of the core there

17:16.852 --> 17:19.040
specifically our partner TEF , uh ,

17:19.089 --> 17:21.256
Mara , thank you for being here , uh ,

17:21.256 --> 17:23.367
to represent and , and what that team

17:23.367 --> 17:24.367
has to offer .

17:27.369 --> 17:29.849
Ionnis from the thirty-second uh Greek

17:29.849 --> 17:32.071
Marine Brigade , sir , you are here and

17:32.071 --> 17:33.960
I think that , uh , our future is

17:33.960 --> 17:35.960
bright . I think it is bright and I

17:35.960 --> 17:38.071
look forward to what we're gonna do ,

17:38.071 --> 17:40.405
uh , in the near term on the road ahead .

17:41.140 --> 17:43.369
Likewise , our partnerships in Africa ,

17:43.739 --> 17:45.939
Kenya , Djibouti , Tunisia , Morocco ,

17:46.140 --> 17:48.939
Senegal , and Ghana are small but

17:48.939 --> 17:51.420
highly leveraged positions that will

17:51.420 --> 17:53.476
become ever more important , mark my

17:53.476 --> 17:55.699
words , that will become ever more

17:55.699 --> 17:58.420
important as we counter both PRC and

17:58.420 --> 18:00.660
Russian malign influence down on the

18:00.660 --> 18:01.660
continent .

18:05.910 --> 18:07.910
I normally make it a habit at stuff

18:07.910 --> 18:10.180
like this to try and uh thank my family

18:10.180 --> 18:12.180
and the band early mostly so that I

18:12.180 --> 18:14.180
don't forget , uh , not that that's

18:14.180 --> 18:18.180
ever happened uh so . Most importantly ,

18:19.619 --> 18:23.410
To the band Thank God you

18:23.410 --> 18:26.380
are here . Uh , the , uh , the , the ,

18:26.469 --> 18:29.650
the naval band , uh , uh , you're great

18:29.650 --> 18:31.817
all outgoing commanders understand the

18:31.817 --> 18:34.209
importance of this , right ? And , uh ,

18:34.219 --> 18:36.219
and I sincerely appreciate the

18:36.219 --> 18:38.163
insightful work of the staff , the

18:38.163 --> 18:40.330
steady hand of the command deck , uh ,

18:40.359 --> 18:42.192
and the enduring patience of the

18:42.192 --> 18:44.526
leaders , the whole front row here , uh ,

18:44.660 --> 18:46.949
that you've had in us , uh , your

18:46.949 --> 18:49.005
marine component , so thank you very

18:49.005 --> 18:51.270
much , uh , for that . But more

18:51.270 --> 18:54.579
seriously , uh , my bride , Adrian , uh ,

18:54.670 --> 18:57.790
what began as a somewhat reckless but

18:57.790 --> 19:00.790
deeply loving marriage , uh , the day

19:00.790 --> 19:02.901
after we graduated from Annapolis now

19:02.901 --> 19:06.810
35 years ago . led to this place .

19:07.930 --> 19:10.041
Uh , at first , you know , we were in

19:10.041 --> 19:12.041
debt , uh , like most , uh , but we

19:12.041 --> 19:13.986
were in love , so that made it all

19:13.986 --> 19:16.041
right , and we had a bass boat and a

19:16.041 --> 19:18.510
shotgun , uh , so things were looking

19:18.510 --> 19:22.310
up , uh , an awesome family , a bunch

19:22.310 --> 19:24.310
of deployments , hundreds of combat

19:24.310 --> 19:27.989
missions . More frighteningly , the 3

19:27.989 --> 19:31.670
tours at the Pentagon , uh . A few

19:31.670 --> 19:33.869
health scares and a ton of lonely

19:33.869 --> 19:36.510
nights , uh , but here we are grateful

19:36.510 --> 19:38.788
to each one of you for the opportunity .

19:40.750 --> 19:43.510
Our beautiful daughter Sam is here . Uh ,

19:44.030 --> 19:46.141
Lieutenant Commander Softy to some of

19:46.141 --> 19:48.469
you , Sammy , we love you . Uh , she's

19:48.469 --> 19:50.400
an image 60 pilot whose skill and

19:50.400 --> 19:53.189
steady hands have already saved lives .

19:54.430 --> 19:56.670
She will lead the next 60 deployed with

19:56.670 --> 19:59.390
the 31st mu , and I think those Marines

19:59.390 --> 20:01.630
and sailors like your mother and I are

20:01.630 --> 20:04.790
in good hands . Proud is too small a

20:04.790 --> 20:07.949
word , Sammy . We love you .

20:09.449 --> 20:11.505
Our son Robert is not here . Uh , we

20:11.505 --> 20:13.338
are equally proud of him and his

20:13.338 --> 20:15.616
business acumen in Richmond , Virginia .

20:15.616 --> 20:17.727
He will marry in September , which is

20:17.727 --> 20:20.569
in fact after today is the only hard

20:20.569 --> 20:23.449
date on our calendar . Uh , how crazy

20:23.449 --> 20:25.449
is that ? We don't even know how to

20:25.449 --> 20:27.671
behave , uh , uh , so , uh , so forgive

20:27.671 --> 20:31.199
us a little if you can . Like him , our

20:31.199 --> 20:33.310
moms are watching , uh , thanks to my

20:33.310 --> 20:35.599
mom , Carlotta , uh , Adrian's mom ,

20:35.760 --> 20:37.871
Pat , for all you've done for us over

20:37.871 --> 20:41.290
these many years . So Adrian , uh ,

20:41.739 --> 20:43.572
and Bobby , you know this , uh ,

20:43.572 --> 20:45.628
whoever you chose many years ago was

20:45.628 --> 20:48.410
gonna win . And you chose me , thank

20:48.410 --> 20:51.310
God . And by any measure , we're

20:51.310 --> 20:52.588
winning . I love you .

21:03.569 --> 21:05.791
So it's , it's , uh , it's hard , man ,

21:05.791 --> 21:07.791
to let go , uh , but if you have to

21:07.949 --> 21:10.459
then you wanna do it with a friend , uh ,

21:10.670 --> 21:12.614
General Grinkovic at your , as you

21:12.614 --> 21:14.837
passed the colors a few days ago , um ,

21:14.837 --> 21:16.781
I , I don't remember if it was the

21:16.781 --> 21:19.003
chairman or you or General Cafoli to be

21:19.003 --> 21:21.170
perfectly honest , but , but , but one

21:21.170 --> 21:23.337
of you said , uh , that the passing of

21:23.337 --> 21:25.337
those colors in a , in a single act

21:25.337 --> 21:28.380
represented both continuity and change .

21:29.569 --> 21:31.979
And , and that's good , right ? And ,

21:32.060 --> 21:35.650
and so , so uh uh I'm humbly , uh ,

21:35.660 --> 21:37.771
excited for what just happened here ,

21:37.900 --> 21:41.069
uh , for the command . Um , I thought

21:41.069 --> 21:43.390
it was really eloquent discussion uh

21:43.390 --> 21:46.189
description of , of that . So , uh ,

21:46.349 --> 21:48.349
knuckles , welcome to the US Marine

21:48.349 --> 21:50.589
Corps Forces Europe and Africa family .

21:51.329 --> 21:53.496
Uh , the Marines , the civilians , the

21:53.496 --> 21:55.718
contractors , their families , families

21:55.718 --> 21:58.051
here , uh , work really hard to achieve ,

21:58.051 --> 21:59.890
um , our shared naval campaign

21:59.890 --> 22:02.290
objectives , uh , supporting both UCOM

22:02.290 --> 22:04.512
and AFRCO on behalf of our commandant .

22:05.040 --> 22:06.949
So what a privilege it is .

22:12.040 --> 22:14.096
You know for me it's felt a lot more

22:14.096 --> 22:16.949
like a uh not as much a command like

22:16.949 --> 22:19.060
some that you're used to , you know ,

22:19.060 --> 22:21.171
as , as you grow up , um , and for me

22:21.171 --> 22:23.680
it was uh uh Bobby touched on it uh

22:23.680 --> 22:25.902
like a family business , right ? I mean

22:25.902 --> 22:28.069
it , it , it really felt like a family

22:28.069 --> 22:30.236
business most days with all the things

22:30.236 --> 22:32.402
that go into that , uh , uh , when you

22:32.402 --> 22:35.069
think through it all while , uh .

22:36.310 --> 22:38.366
Leading Marines that have the strong

22:38.366 --> 22:40.588
character and commitment that we expect

22:40.588 --> 22:42.849
of them . Uh , what a privilege it is .

22:43.989 --> 22:46.819
So welcome brother and uh Kim , a warm

22:46.819 --> 22:49.410
welcome to you and Camden as well . Uh ,

22:49.500 --> 22:51.500
I know our family readiness command

22:51.500 --> 22:53.833
team of which we are so immensely proud ,

22:53.833 --> 22:55.944
uh , has already embraced you and I'm

22:55.944 --> 22:58.222
excited uh for what y'all are gonna do .

23:03.449 --> 23:07.410
So , uh , as I walk away . I think

23:07.410 --> 23:09.577
Churchill told us that never give up .

23:09.577 --> 23:11.743
He said it many more times than that ,

23:11.743 --> 23:13.966
but uh , never ever , ever , never give

23:13.966 --> 23:16.132
up . Uh , I'd ask you to remember that

23:16.132 --> 23:18.299
shake off the bad days because there's

23:18.299 --> 23:20.466
gonna be some , but there's gonna be a

23:20.466 --> 23:22.632
lot of better days , and if any of you

23:22.632 --> 23:24.577
know me at all , uh , you know the

23:24.577 --> 23:26.632
Gan's three things have got to be my

23:26.632 --> 23:28.770
closer , right ? So , uh , um , so

23:28.770 --> 23:31.430
fittingly that's what I'll do . Uh ,

23:31.550 --> 23:34.150
the first thing is , uh , nothing good

23:34.150 --> 23:36.510
happens after midnight . Right , you

23:36.510 --> 23:38.510
close your eyes and think about the

23:38.510 --> 23:40.454
dumbest thing you've ever done . I

23:40.454 --> 23:42.343
guarantee you the clock was after

23:42.343 --> 23:42.229
midnight , right , that's true for all

23:42.229 --> 23:44.949
of us . Uh , there is an exception to

23:44.949 --> 23:47.116
that and it's except if you're killing

23:47.116 --> 23:49.282
bad guys or breaking their stuff , and

23:49.282 --> 23:49.150
that's , that's authorized well after

23:49.150 --> 23:51.483
midnight , uh , and into the dark hours .

23:51.483 --> 23:53.670
So , uh , uh , nothing good happens

23:53.670 --> 23:55.837
after midnight except killing bad guys

23:55.837 --> 23:58.569
and breaking their stuff . And if

23:58.569 --> 24:00.847
that's not what you're doing , go home .

24:02.439 --> 24:04.439
The second thing is do it right the

24:04.439 --> 24:06.550
first time because we'll always do it

24:06.550 --> 24:08.717
again if we have if it was worth doing

24:08.717 --> 24:10.772
to begin with and we sure don't have

24:10.772 --> 24:12.883
time to do it twice , right ? So take

24:12.883 --> 24:14.939
the time , whatever it is from tying

24:14.939 --> 24:17.106
your shoes , making your bed , uh , or

24:17.106 --> 24:19.272
leading some of the best commands this

24:19.272 --> 24:21.383
country has to offer , uh , try to do

24:21.383 --> 24:25.000
that . And finally , uh , be my brother

24:25.000 --> 24:27.709
and sister's keeper . We all know that

24:27.709 --> 24:30.270
one , and I think it's the most

24:30.270 --> 24:32.640
important one . Easily .

24:34.790 --> 24:36.568
So it's been the privilege of a

24:36.568 --> 24:38.349
lifetime to keep you .

24:41.290 --> 24:44.579
Our brothers and sisters . Lord knows

24:44.630 --> 24:48.310
you kept me . Thanks , simplify . God

24:48.310 --> 24:49.310
bless you .

25:11.369 --> 25:13.536
Ladies and gentlemen , the commander ,

25:13.536 --> 25:15.425
US Marine Corps Forces Europe and

25:15.425 --> 25:17.313
Africa , Major General Daniel L .

25:17.313 --> 25:17.219
Shipley .

25:29.609 --> 25:33.000
Well , good morning . Thank you for

25:33.000 --> 25:35.430
being here at Panzer . What an honor

25:35.680 --> 25:37.847
and frankly , I'm very humbled to have

25:37.847 --> 25:41.650
the opportunity . To command Uh , more

25:41.650 --> 25:44.770
for your a . To the team , thank you

25:44.770 --> 25:47.170
for this incredible ceremony . I know

25:47.170 --> 25:49.281
that you put a lot of time and effort

25:49.281 --> 25:51.810
in preparing for this from the band to

25:51.810 --> 25:53.930
the marines in formation to all the

25:53.930 --> 25:56.229
intricacies that came with the details

25:56.229 --> 25:59.810
of security and protocol . I am truly

25:59.810 --> 26:02.170
grateful for everything . I look very

26:02.170 --> 26:04.226
much forward to getting to know each

26:04.226 --> 26:06.337
and every one of you and working with

26:06.337 --> 26:08.859
you here in the near future . As it was

26:08.859 --> 26:10.859
stated , you know , it's incredibly

26:10.859 --> 26:13.079
unusual to be . With so many great

26:13.079 --> 26:15.719
leaders in one location , as we see

26:15.719 --> 26:18.969
here on the Devil Dog Field . General

26:18.969 --> 26:21.280
Langley . General Grinkevic

26:22.930 --> 26:26.469
Admiral Munch Ambassadors Burns and

26:26.469 --> 26:29.599
Fruman . Lieutenant General Shea

26:30.670 --> 26:33.069
Lieutenant General Fulford Lieutenant

26:33.069 --> 26:36.430
General Brennan . Major General Levick

26:37.540 --> 26:40.079
Breeder General Christo and breeder

26:40.079 --> 26:42.023
General Mormon , thank you all for

26:42.023 --> 26:43.968
traveling out here . And of course

26:43.968 --> 26:46.079
Sergeant Major Woods , Sergeant Major

26:46.079 --> 26:48.380
Holland , and Sergeant Major . Passo

26:48.709 --> 26:50.765
from the Netherlands , thank you all

26:50.765 --> 26:52.709
for coming here . I look very much

26:52.709 --> 26:54.765
forward to working very closely with

26:54.765 --> 26:56.876
you in the in the future . Appreciate

26:56.876 --> 26:59.042
the long cha cha uh the long uh travel

26:59.042 --> 27:01.265
and uh look forward to beginning things

27:01.265 --> 27:03.469
here in the next uh few days . To all

27:03.469 --> 27:05.802
the general officers and senior leaders ,

27:05.802 --> 27:07.636
thank you as well for coming and

27:07.636 --> 27:09.691
attending today . For those who have

27:09.691 --> 27:12.030
not had the opportunity . To meet the

27:12.030 --> 27:14.329
two most important people in my life .

27:15.479 --> 27:18.290
Kim and Camden Please make a point to

27:18.290 --> 27:20.401
come after the ceremony and introduce

27:20.401 --> 27:22.650
yourselves . We are absolutely thrilled

27:22.650 --> 27:25.020
to be here today . Kim and Camden ,

27:25.079 --> 27:27.023
thank you for sharing another trip

27:27.023 --> 27:29.135
around the world with me . I love you

27:29.135 --> 27:33.040
both . G man , what a great

27:33.040 --> 27:35.373
team you and Adrian have built out here .

27:37.209 --> 27:39.265
Thank you for your leadership of Mar

27:39.265 --> 27:40.890
for yourath and frankly more

27:40.890 --> 27:43.489
significantly , the 40 years of service .

27:43.569 --> 27:45.569
That's insane . You're an old man ,

27:45.760 --> 27:48.739
yeah . Now you both gave Kim and I and

27:48.739 --> 27:50.850
Camden an incredible welcome here and

27:50.850 --> 27:52.628
and we are absolutely ready and

27:52.628 --> 27:54.795
prepared to move forward based on what

27:54.795 --> 27:56.906
you all have done . Thank you for the

27:56.906 --> 27:58.961
success . Thank you for the laughs .

27:58.961 --> 27:58.709
Your character comes out here and we

27:58.709 --> 28:00.765
enjoyed it the past few nights we've

28:00.765 --> 28:02.820
been together and you've just been a

28:02.820 --> 28:04.653
great friend the past few months

28:04.653 --> 28:06.765
preparing us out here . God bless you

28:06.765 --> 28:08.931
both . We wish you all the best as you

28:08.931 --> 28:11.042
travel in the future and uh come back

28:11.042 --> 28:10.579
and visit once in a while . We'd love

28:10.579 --> 28:13.119
to see you . And uh Sam , thanks for

28:13.119 --> 28:15.175
coming out here . Really good to see

28:15.175 --> 28:17.230
you . Congratulations on your future

28:17.230 --> 28:19.341
support of the Marine Corps , right ?

28:21.540 --> 28:23.640
So now you all know that I came from

28:23.640 --> 28:26.459
the land of plenty Indo Paycom is part

28:26.459 --> 28:29.459
of Marine Forces Pacific , and one

28:29.459 --> 28:31.780
thing between these AORs we have in

28:31.780 --> 28:34.002
common is one theme that clearly stands

28:34.002 --> 28:36.459
out , and that is a powerful source of

28:36.459 --> 28:38.579
strength and stability stemming from

28:38.579 --> 28:40.979
the alliances and partnerships between

28:40.979 --> 28:43.250
the militaries of all our countries .

28:44.349 --> 28:46.460
We share similar values simply in the

28:46.460 --> 28:48.571
fact that we have dedicated our lives

28:48.571 --> 28:51.229
to service and through that our bonds

28:51.229 --> 28:53.579
are immediate and they're strong .

28:55.040 --> 28:57.349
The example we set for the rest of the

28:57.349 --> 28:59.750
world just cannot be overstated .

29:02.079 --> 29:04.301
There are always those who will seek to

29:04.301 --> 29:06.357
challenge peace through aggression .

29:06.689 --> 29:09.770
But we take comfort in knowing that we

29:09.770 --> 29:11.826
do not have to stand alone to defend

29:11.826 --> 29:13.659
the world . We stand shoulder to

29:13.659 --> 29:15.659
shoulder with our close friends and

29:15.659 --> 29:17.770
allies here in Europe and in Africa ,

29:17.869 --> 29:19.869
and I look forward to continuing to

29:19.869 --> 29:22.091
build upon those powerful relationships

29:22.091 --> 29:23.702
in my role as commander of .

29:26.380 --> 29:29.239
As Marines We will always fulfill our

29:29.239 --> 29:32.599
role and the directive given to us from

29:32.599 --> 29:35.719
the eighty-second Congress to be most

29:35.719 --> 29:38.239
ready when our nation is least ready .

29:39.589 --> 29:42.270
As we pursue new capabilities that

29:42.270 --> 29:44.270
enhance interoperability within the

29:44.270 --> 29:47.900
joint force . Across Europe and

29:47.900 --> 29:50.859
across Africa , our focus will be to

29:50.859 --> 29:54.280
deter aggression . And while always

29:54.280 --> 29:57.050
being prepared to fight . And to

29:57.050 --> 30:00.109
prevail in any climb in place . This

30:00.109 --> 30:01.998
will require us to continually be

30:01.998 --> 30:04.165
forward leaning and forward looking as

30:04.165 --> 30:06.109
we find new and effective means to

30:06.109 --> 30:08.165
enhance our capabilities and achieve

30:08.165 --> 30:10.930
our mission . We have a great

30:10.930 --> 30:13.579
responsibility as Marines that we are

30:13.579 --> 30:17.020
bound to continue in the footsteps of

30:17.020 --> 30:19.131
those legendary Marines who have gone

30:19.131 --> 30:22.040
before . And established the reputation

30:22.040 --> 30:24.160
that we enjoy today as war fighters .

30:24.949 --> 30:27.116
My focus as commanders to fulfill that

30:27.116 --> 30:29.338
responsibility by aggressively adhering

30:29.338 --> 30:31.227
to the standards that were imbued

30:31.227 --> 30:33.282
within us the first day we pinned on

30:33.282 --> 30:36.310
the Eagle Globe and anchor . Marines ,

30:37.020 --> 30:39.589
and I thank you again for today . I

30:39.589 --> 30:41.869
look forward to spending a lot more

30:41.869 --> 30:43.980
time alongside you and seeing what we

30:43.980 --> 30:46.147
can achieve together . Thank you all .

30:46.147 --> 30:48.091
God bless you and as we say in the

30:48.091 --> 30:48.020
Marine Corps for those .

31:00.329 --> 31:02.162
At this time , flowers are being

31:02.162 --> 31:04.107
presented to Miss Adrian Softje in

31:04.107 --> 31:06.273
appreciation for her dedication to the

31:06.273 --> 31:08.496
Marines and sailors of US Marine Forces

31:08.496 --> 31:10.551
Europe and Africa . Flowers are also

31:10.551 --> 31:12.885
being presented to Miss Kim Kim Shipley ,

31:12.885 --> 31:14.996
welcoming her to the US Marine Forces

31:14.996 --> 31:14.319
Europe and Africa team .

31:55.030 --> 31:57.252
Ladies and gentlemen , please stand for

31:57.252 --> 31:59.252
the playing of Anchors Away and the

31:59.252 --> 31:58.589
Marine's hymn .

32:44.760 --> 32:45.680
So uh

32:50.439 --> 32:51.439
5 .

32:55.920 --> 32:56.900
1 through 5

33:46.119 --> 33:47.286
Good morning , sir .

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Oh Ladies and gentlemen , this

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concludes today's ceremony on behalf of

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the commander , US Marine Forces Europe

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and Africa . Thank you for your

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attendance . Please join us for the

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reception on Devil Dog Field .