1 00:00:00,349 --> 00:00:02,700 Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome 2 00:00:02,869 --> 00:00:04,869 the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 3 00:00:04,869 --> 00:00:06,989 Staff , General Dan Kane . 4 00:00:14,449 --> 00:00:18,079 All right , generals , admirals , 5 00:00:18,209 --> 00:00:21,440 senior leaders , good morning . Wow , 6 00:00:21,850 --> 00:00:25,409 what a what a group here today . I will 7 00:00:25,409 --> 00:00:28,649 tell you that our enemies are terrified 8 00:00:28,649 --> 00:00:30,770 right now that we are all in the same 9 00:00:30,770 --> 00:00:33,580 room , and that is a a true statement . 10 00:00:34,209 --> 00:00:36,689 Welcome everyone to Marine Corps Base 11 00:00:36,689 --> 00:00:40,130 Quantico and the first ever key 12 00:00:40,130 --> 00:00:42,610 leaders all call to the commandants . 13 00:00:42,970 --> 00:00:45,229 And uh all of the Marines that have 14 00:00:45,229 --> 00:00:47,500 made this event possible , thank you . 15 00:00:47,909 --> 00:00:50,479 This was no small feat to put this 16 00:00:50,750 --> 00:00:53,310 event together in short order , and I'm 17 00:00:53,310 --> 00:00:55,630 glad there's pull-up bars just outside 18 00:00:55,630 --> 00:00:57,741 the seals in the corner out there are 19 00:00:57,741 --> 00:01:00,790 very happy about that . I regret to 20 00:01:00,790 --> 00:01:03,340 inform you there will not be a PT test 21 00:01:03,669 --> 00:01:06,269 after this event , um , because I know 22 00:01:06,269 --> 00:01:09,519 you all would crush it . Last night I 23 00:01:09,519 --> 00:01:11,352 had the privilege of joining the 24 00:01:11,352 --> 00:01:14,120 Secretary and the Joint Chiefs in 25 00:01:14,120 --> 00:01:17,379 honoring 50 Gold Star families at the 26 00:01:17,379 --> 00:01:19,650 White House as the president , the 27 00:01:19,650 --> 00:01:22,239 First Lady , and our nation honored 28 00:01:22,239 --> 00:01:24,199 their loved ones' service and 29 00:01:24,199 --> 00:01:27,550 sacrifices . Teammates , it was a quiet . 30 00:01:27,879 --> 00:01:31,029 And deeply meaningful event that 31 00:01:31,029 --> 00:01:33,379 reminded all of us that we're lucky 32 00:01:33,379 --> 00:01:36,160 enough to be there of the serious and 33 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:38,830 unforgiving nature of the business that 34 00:01:38,830 --> 00:01:42,269 we are in fighting and winning our 35 00:01:42,269 --> 00:01:45,430 nation's wars . Leaders , we are living 36 00:01:45,430 --> 00:01:48,269 in dynamic and potentially dangerous 37 00:01:48,269 --> 00:01:51,459 times . Global risk is on the rise . 38 00:01:51,989 --> 00:01:55,220 Our adversaries are no longer aligning . 39 00:01:55,550 --> 00:01:58,080 They are aligned . And we must align 40 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:02,069 with equal resolve and unity , even as 41 00:02:02,069 --> 00:02:06,000 we strive for and seek peace , we must 42 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:09,759 be prepared for war . Now more than 43 00:02:09,759 --> 00:02:12,199 ever , it is vital that we hear from 44 00:02:12,199 --> 00:02:15,358 our civilian leaders understand where 45 00:02:15,358 --> 00:02:17,559 they're taking the department and the 46 00:02:17,559 --> 00:02:20,718 joint force , and today we have the 47 00:02:20,718 --> 00:02:24,358 unprecedented opportunity and honor to 48 00:02:24,358 --> 00:02:27,078 hear directly from the Secretary of the 49 00:02:27,078 --> 00:02:29,189 Secretary of War and our commander in 50 00:02:29,189 --> 00:02:32,520 chief . Together you and I and our 51 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,080 civilian leaders have the honor of 52 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,080 leading the finest military in the 53 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:40,429 world . And we must seize every 54 00:02:40,429 --> 00:02:43,339 opportunity every day to prepare our 55 00:02:43,339 --> 00:02:46,720 joint force for the future . I am 56 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,669 deeply humbled to serve with each and 57 00:02:50,669 --> 00:02:53,809 every one of you . And now it is my 58 00:02:53,809 --> 00:02:56,570 distinct honor to introduce our 59 00:02:56,570 --> 00:02:58,850 nation's Secretary of War , the 60 00:02:58,850 --> 00:03:00,240 Honorable Pete Hegseth . 61 00:03:05,429 --> 00:03:07,540 Thank you Mr . Chairman . Thank you . 62 00:03:10,699 --> 00:03:12,088 Please take your seats . 63 00:03:19,559 --> 00:03:22,729 Well , Mr . Chairman , The Joint Chiefs 64 00:03:23,820 --> 00:03:26,020 Generals , admirals , commanders , 65 00:03:26,139 --> 00:03:29,500 officers , senior listed NCOs , 66 00:03:29,580 --> 00:03:32,580 enlisted and every member . Of our 67 00:03:32,580 --> 00:03:34,910 American military . Good morning . 68 00:03:38,309 --> 00:03:41,619 Good morning . And welcome to the War 69 00:03:41,619 --> 00:03:45,399 Department . Because the era of the 70 00:03:45,399 --> 00:03:49,240 Department of Defense . Is over . You 71 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,949 see , the motto of my first platoon was 72 00:03:51,949 --> 00:03:54,710 those who longed for peace must prepare 73 00:03:54,710 --> 00:03:57,220 for war . This is of course not a new 74 00:03:57,220 --> 00:03:59,460 idea . This crowd knows that . The 75 00:03:59,460 --> 00:04:01,516 origin dates to the 4th century Rome 76 00:04:01,516 --> 00:04:03,630 and has been repeated ever since , 77 00:04:03,979 --> 00:04:05,979 including by our first commander in 78 00:04:05,979 --> 00:04:08,090 chief , George Washington , the first 79 00:04:08,090 --> 00:04:11,229 leader . Of the War Department . It 80 00:04:11,229 --> 00:04:14,259 captures a simple yet profound truth . 81 00:04:15,210 --> 00:04:18,369 To ensure peace , we must prepare for 82 00:04:18,369 --> 00:04:21,269 war . From this moment forward , the 83 00:04:21,269 --> 00:04:24,109 only mission of the newly restored 84 00:04:24,109 --> 00:04:27,079 Department of War is this . War 85 00:04:27,079 --> 00:04:29,989 fighting Preparing for war and 86 00:04:29,989 --> 00:04:33,130 preparing to win . Unrelenting and 87 00:04:33,130 --> 00:04:36,890 uncompromising in that pursuit , not 88 00:04:36,890 --> 00:04:39,529 because we want war , no one here wants 89 00:04:39,529 --> 00:04:42,959 war . But it's because we love peace . 90 00:04:43,649 --> 00:04:46,279 We love peace for our fellow citizens , 91 00:04:46,529 --> 00:04:48,890 they deserve peace . And they 92 00:04:48,890 --> 00:04:51,369 rightfully expect us to deliver it . 93 00:04:53,149 --> 00:04:55,316 Our number one job , of course , is to 94 00:04:55,316 --> 00:04:58,109 be strong so that we can prevent war in 95 00:04:58,109 --> 00:05:01,000 the first place . The president talks 96 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,000 about it all the time . It's called 97 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,149 peace through strength . And as history 98 00:05:06,149 --> 00:05:07,982 teaches us , the only people who 99 00:05:07,982 --> 00:05:10,390 actually deserve peace are those who 100 00:05:10,390 --> 00:05:12,790 are willing to wage war to defend it . 101 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:17,079 That's why pacifism is so naive and 102 00:05:17,079 --> 00:05:20,109 dangerous . It ignores human nature and 103 00:05:20,109 --> 00:05:23,970 it ignores human history . Either you 104 00:05:23,970 --> 00:05:26,290 protect your people and your 105 00:05:26,290 --> 00:05:28,089 sovereignty , or you will be 106 00:05:28,089 --> 00:05:31,109 subservient . To something or someone . 107 00:05:31,869 --> 00:05:34,220 It's a truth as old as time . 108 00:05:35,700 --> 00:05:38,209 And since waging war is so costly in 109 00:05:38,209 --> 00:05:39,987 blood and treasure , we owe our 110 00:05:39,987 --> 00:05:43,010 republic a military that will win any 111 00:05:43,010 --> 00:05:45,690 war we choose or any war that is thrust 112 00:05:45,690 --> 00:05:49,040 upon us . Should our enemies choose 113 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:52,209 foolishly to challenge us , they will 114 00:05:52,209 --> 00:05:55,769 be crushed by the violence , precision . 115 00:05:56,489 --> 00:06:00,059 And ferocity of the War Department . In 116 00:06:00,059 --> 00:06:03,989 other words , To our enemies F 117 00:06:03,989 --> 00:06:06,200 A F O . 118 00:06:08,510 --> 00:06:10,732 If necessary , our troops can translate 119 00:06:10,732 --> 00:06:14,079 that for you . Another way to put it 120 00:06:14,079 --> 00:06:18,010 is peace through strength . Brought to 121 00:06:18,010 --> 00:06:21,130 you by the warrior ethos , and we are 122 00:06:21,130 --> 00:06:24,950 restoring both . As President Trump has 123 00:06:24,950 --> 00:06:26,950 said , and he's right , we have the 124 00:06:26,950 --> 00:06:29,172 strongest , most powerful , most lethal 125 00:06:29,172 --> 00:06:31,109 and most prepared military on the 126 00:06:31,109 --> 00:06:33,739 planet . That is true , full stop . 127 00:06:34,309 --> 00:06:36,589 Nobody can touch us . It's not even 128 00:06:36,589 --> 00:06:39,459 close . This is true largely because of 129 00:06:39,459 --> 00:06:41,570 the historic investments that he made 130 00:06:41,570 --> 00:06:43,348 in his first term , and we will 131 00:06:43,348 --> 00:06:46,079 continue in this term . But it's also 132 00:06:46,079 --> 00:06:48,079 true because of the leaders in this 133 00:06:48,079 --> 00:06:50,619 room . And the incredible troops that 134 00:06:50,619 --> 00:06:54,369 you all lead . But the world , and as 135 00:06:54,369 --> 00:06:56,519 the chairman mentioned , our enemies 136 00:06:56,519 --> 00:07:00,149 get a vote . You feel it , I feel it . 137 00:07:00,209 --> 00:07:03,839 This is a moment of urgency , mounting 138 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,630 urgency . Enemies gather , threats 139 00:07:07,630 --> 00:07:11,390 grow . There is no time for games . We 140 00:07:11,390 --> 00:07:13,446 must be prepared . If we're going to 141 00:07:13,446 --> 00:07:16,619 prevent and avoid war , we must prepare 142 00:07:16,829 --> 00:07:20,109 now . We are the strength part of peace 143 00:07:20,109 --> 00:07:22,670 through strength , and either we're 144 00:07:22,670 --> 00:07:25,549 ready to win or we are not . 145 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:29,887 You see , this urgent moment of course 146 00:07:29,887 --> 00:07:32,109 requires more troops , more munitions , 147 00:07:32,109 --> 00:07:34,053 more drones , more Patriots , more 148 00:07:34,053 --> 00:07:36,053 submarines , more B-21 bombers . It 149 00:07:36,053 --> 00:07:38,190 requires more innovation , more AI in 150 00:07:38,190 --> 00:07:40,301 everything , and ahead of the curve , 151 00:07:40,301 --> 00:07:42,523 more cyber effects , more counter UAS , 152 00:07:42,523 --> 00:07:44,579 more space , more speed . America is 153 00:07:44,579 --> 00:07:46,523 the strongest , but we need to get 154 00:07:46,523 --> 00:07:49,519 stronger and quickly . The time is now 155 00:07:49,790 --> 00:07:53,109 and the cause is urgent . The moment 156 00:07:53,109 --> 00:07:55,220 requires restoring and refocusing our 157 00:07:55,220 --> 00:07:56,887 defense industrial base , our 158 00:07:56,887 --> 00:07:58,998 shipbuilding industry , and onshoring 159 00:07:58,998 --> 00:08:01,220 all critical components . It requires , 160 00:08:01,220 --> 00:08:03,331 as President Trump has done , getting 161 00:08:03,331 --> 00:08:05,940 our allies and partners to step up and 162 00:08:05,940 --> 00:08:08,709 share the burden . America cannot do 163 00:08:08,709 --> 00:08:11,079 everything . The free world requires 164 00:08:11,079 --> 00:08:13,119 allies with real hard power , real 165 00:08:13,119 --> 00:08:15,660 military leadership , and real military 166 00:08:15,660 --> 00:08:18,369 capabilities . The War Department is 167 00:08:18,369 --> 00:08:20,536 tackling and prioritizing all of these 168 00:08:20,536 --> 00:08:22,591 things . And I'll be giving a speech 169 00:08:22,591 --> 00:08:24,925 next month that will showcase the speed , 170 00:08:24,925 --> 00:08:26,591 innovation , and generational 171 00:08:26,591 --> 00:08:28,758 acquisition reforms we are undertaking 172 00:08:28,758 --> 00:08:32,289 urgently . Likewise , the nature of the 173 00:08:32,289 --> 00:08:34,479 threats we face in our hemisphere and 174 00:08:34,479 --> 00:08:37,309 in deterring China is another speech 175 00:08:37,890 --> 00:08:40,929 for another day . Coming soon . 176 00:08:42,239 --> 00:08:45,968 This speech Today , as I drink my 177 00:08:45,968 --> 00:08:49,280 coffee . This speech 178 00:08:50,229 --> 00:08:53,289 Today is about people . And it's about 179 00:08:53,289 --> 00:08:56,960 culture . The topic today is about the 180 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,700 nature of ourselves . Because 181 00:09:00,700 --> 00:09:03,049 no plan , no program , no no reform , 182 00:09:03,219 --> 00:09:05,275 no formation will ultimately succeed 183 00:09:05,275 --> 00:09:07,609 unless we have the right people . And 184 00:09:07,609 --> 00:09:10,330 the right culture at the War Department . 185 00:09:11,719 --> 00:09:13,830 If I've learned one core lesson in my 186 00:09:13,830 --> 00:09:15,886 eight months in this job , it's that 187 00:09:15,886 --> 00:09:19,059 personnel is policy . Personnel is 188 00:09:19,059 --> 00:09:21,960 policy . The best way to take care of 189 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:24,400 troops is to give them good leaders 190 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:26,511 committed to the war fighting culture 191 00:09:26,511 --> 00:09:28,844 of the department , not perfect leaders . 192 00:09:29,719 --> 00:09:33,059 Good leaders Competent , qualified , 193 00:09:33,369 --> 00:09:35,489 professional , agile , aggressive , 194 00:09:35,700 --> 00:09:38,250 innovative , risk taking , apolitical , 195 00:09:38,419 --> 00:09:40,640 faithful to their oath and to the 196 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:44,460 Constitution . Eugene Sledge in his 197 00:09:44,460 --> 00:09:47,510 World War II memoir wrote , quote , War 198 00:09:47,510 --> 00:09:50,260 is brutish , inglorious and a terrible 199 00:09:50,260 --> 00:09:52,940 waste . Combat leaves an indelible mark 200 00:09:52,940 --> 00:09:55,107 on those who are forced to endure it . 201 00:09:55,780 --> 00:09:57,669 The only redeeming factors are my 202 00:09:57,669 --> 00:10:00,219 comrades' incredible bravery and their 203 00:10:00,219 --> 00:10:03,820 devotion to each other . In combat 204 00:10:03,820 --> 00:10:06,042 there are thousands of variables , as I 205 00:10:06,042 --> 00:10:08,209 learned in Iraq and Afghanistan and as 206 00:10:08,209 --> 00:10:10,153 so many of you did in so many more 207 00:10:10,153 --> 00:10:12,510 places . Leaders can only control about 208 00:10:12,510 --> 00:10:15,590 3 of them . You control how well you're 209 00:10:15,590 --> 00:10:18,030 trained , mostly how well you're 210 00:10:18,030 --> 00:10:21,090 equipped . And the last variable is how 211 00:10:21,090 --> 00:10:24,049 well you lead . After that , you're on 212 00:10:24,049 --> 00:10:26,559 your own . Our war fighters are 213 00:10:26,559 --> 00:10:28,840 entitled to be led by the best and most 214 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:32,010 capable leaders . That is who we need 215 00:10:32,239 --> 00:10:35,260 you all to be . Even then in combat , 216 00:10:35,340 --> 00:10:37,451 even if you do everything right , you 217 00:10:37,451 --> 00:10:39,673 may still lose people because the enemy 218 00:10:39,673 --> 00:10:41,784 always gets a vote . We have a sacred 219 00:10:41,784 --> 00:10:43,840 duty to ensure that our warriors are 220 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:45,951 led by the most capable and qualified 221 00:10:45,951 --> 00:10:48,118 combat leaders . This is one thing you 222 00:10:48,118 --> 00:10:50,380 and I can control . And we owe it to 223 00:10:50,380 --> 00:10:54,369 the force to deliver it . For too long 224 00:10:55,250 --> 00:10:57,919 We've simply not done that . The 225 00:10:57,919 --> 00:11:00,141 military has been forced by foolish and 226 00:11:00,141 --> 00:11:02,799 reckless politicians to focus on the 227 00:11:02,799 --> 00:11:06,090 wrong things . In many ways this speech 228 00:11:06,090 --> 00:11:09,489 is about fixing decades of decay . Some 229 00:11:09,489 --> 00:11:13,330 of it obvious , some of it hidden . Or 230 00:11:13,330 --> 00:11:15,330 as the chairman has put it , we are 231 00:11:15,330 --> 00:11:18,539 clearing out the debris . Removing the 232 00:11:18,539 --> 00:11:21,640 distractions . Clearing the way for 233 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:25,450 leaders to be leaders . You might 234 00:11:25,450 --> 00:11:29,049 say we're ending the war on warriors . 235 00:11:30,309 --> 00:11:32,642 I heard someone wrote a book about that . 236 00:11:34,169 --> 00:11:36,225 For too long we've promoted too many 237 00:11:36,225 --> 00:11:38,558 uniformed leaders for the wrong reasons . 238 00:11:39,109 --> 00:11:41,750 Based on their race , based on gender 239 00:11:41,750 --> 00:11:44,580 quotas , based on historic so-called 240 00:11:44,580 --> 00:11:47,440 firsts . We've pretended that combat 241 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:49,551 arms and non-combat arms are the same 242 00:11:49,551 --> 00:11:52,049 thing . We've weeded out so-called 243 00:11:52,049 --> 00:11:54,271 toxic leaders under the guise of double 244 00:11:54,271 --> 00:11:55,993 blind psychology assessments . 245 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,631 Promoting risk averse go along to get 246 00:11:58,631 --> 00:12:02,369 along conformists instead . You name it , 247 00:12:02,650 --> 00:12:05,450 the department did it . Foolish and 248 00:12:05,450 --> 00:12:07,394 reckless political leaders set the 249 00:12:07,394 --> 00:12:10,479 wrong compass heading . And we lost our 250 00:12:10,479 --> 00:12:14,330 way . We became The woke 251 00:12:14,330 --> 00:12:18,210 department But not anymore . Right 252 00:12:18,210 --> 00:12:20,210 now I'm looking out at a sea of 253 00:12:20,210 --> 00:12:23,250 Americans who made a choice . When they 254 00:12:23,250 --> 00:12:26,780 were young men and young women . To do 255 00:12:26,780 --> 00:12:29,169 something most Americans will not , to 256 00:12:29,169 --> 00:12:31,391 serve something greater than yourself , 257 00:12:31,391 --> 00:12:33,225 to fight for God and country for 258 00:12:33,225 --> 00:12:35,409 freedom in the Constitution . You made 259 00:12:35,409 --> 00:12:38,159 a choice to serve when others did not . 260 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,340 And I commend you . You are truly the 261 00:12:42,340 --> 00:12:46,159 best of America . But this does not 262 00:12:46,159 --> 00:12:48,215 mean , and this goes for all of us , 263 00:12:48,469 --> 00:12:50,719 that our path to this auditorium on 264 00:12:50,719 --> 00:12:53,200 this day was a straight line , or that 265 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:55,200 the conditions of the formations we 266 00:12:55,200 --> 00:12:58,739 lead are where we want them to be . You 267 00:12:58,739 --> 00:13:00,795 love your country , and we love this 268 00:13:00,795 --> 00:13:03,679 uniform , which is why we must do 269 00:13:03,979 --> 00:13:07,469 better . We just have to be honest . 270 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,167 We have to say with our mouths what we 271 00:13:10,167 --> 00:13:12,359 see with our eyes . To just tell it 272 00:13:12,359 --> 00:13:15,179 like it is in plain English . To point 273 00:13:15,179 --> 00:13:18,580 out the obvious things right in front 274 00:13:18,580 --> 00:13:21,530 of us . That's what leaders must do . 275 00:13:22,650 --> 00:13:24,590 We cannot go another day without 276 00:13:24,590 --> 00:13:27,400 directly addressing the plank . In our 277 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:30,059 own eye . Without addressing the 278 00:13:30,059 --> 00:13:32,380 problems in our own commands and in our 279 00:13:32,380 --> 00:13:33,460 own formations . 280 00:13:36,619 --> 00:13:38,675 This administration has done a great 281 00:13:38,675 --> 00:13:41,119 deal from day one . To remove the 282 00:13:41,119 --> 00:13:43,175 social justice , politically correct 283 00:13:43,175 --> 00:13:45,599 and toxic ideological garbage that had 284 00:13:45,599 --> 00:13:48,599 infected our department to rip out . 285 00:13:49,289 --> 00:13:53,090 The politics No more identity months , 286 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:57,390 DEI offices , dudes in dresses . 287 00:13:58,780 --> 00:14:00,780 No more climate change worship . No 288 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:03,002 more division , distraction , or gender 289 00:14:03,002 --> 00:14:06,390 delusions . No more debris . As I've 290 00:14:06,390 --> 00:14:09,940 said before and will say again . We are 291 00:14:09,940 --> 00:14:13,320 done with that . I've made it my 292 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:15,159 mission to uproot the obvious 293 00:14:15,159 --> 00:14:17,326 distractions that made us less capable 294 00:14:17,326 --> 00:14:21,229 and less lethal . That said , the 295 00:14:21,229 --> 00:14:24,190 war department requires the next step . 296 00:14:25,570 --> 00:14:28,010 Underneath the woke garbage is a deeper 297 00:14:28,010 --> 00:14:30,066 problem and a more important problem 298 00:14:30,066 --> 00:14:32,121 that we are fixing and fixing fast . 299 00:14:32,969 --> 00:14:35,302 Common sense is back at the White House , 300 00:14:35,539 --> 00:14:38,090 so making the necessary changes is 301 00:14:38,090 --> 00:14:39,979 actually pretty straightforward . 302 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,650 President Trump expects it . And the 303 00:14:43,650 --> 00:14:46,179 litmus test for these changes . 304 00:14:47,530 --> 00:14:50,770 It's pretty simple . Would I want my 305 00:14:50,770 --> 00:14:53,909 eldest son . Who is 15 years old . 306 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:57,778 Eventually joining the types of 307 00:14:57,778 --> 00:14:59,611 formations that we are currently 308 00:14:59,611 --> 00:15:01,919 wielding . If in any way the answer to 309 00:15:01,919 --> 00:15:05,479 that is no or even yes , but . Then 310 00:15:05,479 --> 00:15:07,770 we're doing something wrong . Because 311 00:15:07,770 --> 00:15:09,840 my son is no more important than any 312 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:11,840 other American citizen who dons the 313 00:15:11,840 --> 00:15:14,400 cloth of our nation . He is no more 314 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,719 important than your son . All precious 315 00:15:17,719 --> 00:15:19,941 souls made in the image and likeness of 316 00:15:19,941 --> 00:15:22,000 God . Every parent deserves to know 317 00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:24,450 that their son or their daughter that 318 00:15:24,450 --> 00:15:27,409 joins our ranks is entering exactly the 319 00:15:27,409 --> 00:15:30,400 kind of unit that the secretary of war 320 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:33,880 would want his son to join . Think of 321 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:36,070 it as the golden rule test . 322 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:39,760 Jesus said , do unto others , that's 323 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,038 what you would have done unto yourself . 324 00:15:42,099 --> 00:15:44,700 It's the ultimate simplifying test of 325 00:15:44,700 --> 00:15:47,789 truth . The new War Department golden 326 00:15:47,789 --> 00:15:51,719 rule . Is this Do unto your 327 00:15:51,719 --> 00:15:54,880 unit , as you would have done onto your 328 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:58,609 own child's unit . Would you want him 329 00:15:58,609 --> 00:16:00,760 serving with fat or unfit or 330 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:03,450 undertrained troops or alongside people 331 00:16:03,450 --> 00:16:06,239 who can't meet basic standards ? Or in 332 00:16:06,239 --> 00:16:08,406 a unit where standards were lowered so 333 00:16:08,406 --> 00:16:10,517 certain types of troops could make it 334 00:16:10,517 --> 00:16:12,406 in . In a unit where leaders were 335 00:16:12,406 --> 00:16:14,628 promoted for reasons other than merit , 336 00:16:14,628 --> 00:16:17,590 performance , and war fighting . The 337 00:16:17,590 --> 00:16:20,229 answer is not just no , it's hell no . 338 00:16:21,330 --> 00:16:23,497 This means at the War Department first 339 00:16:23,497 --> 00:16:26,919 and foremost we must restore a ruthless . 340 00:16:27,679 --> 00:16:30,630 Dispassionate And common sense 341 00:16:30,630 --> 00:16:34,130 application of standards . I don't want 342 00:16:34,130 --> 00:16:36,539 my son serving alongside troops who are 343 00:16:36,539 --> 00:16:38,940 out of shape or in combat unit with 344 00:16:38,940 --> 00:16:41,107 females who can't meet the same combat 345 00:16:41,107 --> 00:16:43,219 arms physical standards as men or 346 00:16:43,219 --> 00:16:45,386 troops who are not fully proficient on 347 00:16:45,386 --> 00:16:47,719 their assigned weapons platform or task . 348 00:16:48,090 --> 00:16:51,260 Or under a leader who was The first 349 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:55,200 But not the best . Standards must be 350 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,750 uniform , gender neutral , and high . 351 00:17:00,270 --> 00:17:02,570 If not , they're not standards . 352 00:17:03,549 --> 00:17:07,040 They're just suggestions . Suggestions 353 00:17:07,329 --> 00:17:10,329 that get our sons and daughters killed . 354 00:17:11,969 --> 00:17:14,025 When it comes to combat arms units , 355 00:17:14,025 --> 00:17:16,080 and there are many different stripes 356 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:19,319 across our joint force . The era of 357 00:17:20,010 --> 00:17:22,859 politically correct . Overly sensitive , 358 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:24,642 don't hurt anyone's feelings . 359 00:17:24,642 --> 00:17:28,520 Leadership ends right now . At 360 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,160 every level , either you can meet the 361 00:17:31,160 --> 00:17:33,327 standard , either you can do the job , 362 00:17:33,327 --> 00:17:35,680 either you are disciplined , fit and 363 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:39,500 trained , or you are out . And that's 364 00:17:39,500 --> 00:17:41,989 why today at my direction , and this is 365 00:17:41,989 --> 00:17:44,300 the first of 10 Department of War 366 00:17:44,300 --> 00:17:46,739 directives that are arriving at your 367 00:17:46,739 --> 00:17:49,030 commands as we speak and in your inbox . 368 00:17:50,250 --> 00:17:52,890 Today at my direction , each service 369 00:17:52,890 --> 00:17:55,057 will ensure that every requirement for 370 00:17:55,057 --> 00:17:58,479 every combat MOS for every designated 371 00:17:58,479 --> 00:18:01,290 combat arms position returns to the 372 00:18:01,290 --> 00:18:03,449 highest male standard only . 373 00:18:05,069 --> 00:18:07,290 Because this job is life or death . 374 00:18:07,790 --> 00:18:10,140 Standards must be met and not just met 375 00:18:10,140 --> 00:18:12,084 at every level , we should seek to 376 00:18:12,084 --> 00:18:13,973 exceed the standard , to push the 377 00:18:13,973 --> 00:18:16,229 envelope , to compete . It's common 378 00:18:16,229 --> 00:18:18,780 sense and core to who we are and what 379 00:18:18,780 --> 00:18:22,579 we do , it should be in our DNA . Today 380 00:18:22,579 --> 00:18:24,746 at my direction , we are also adding a 381 00:18:24,746 --> 00:18:27,630 combat field test for combat arms units 382 00:18:27,630 --> 00:18:29,859 that must be executable in any 383 00:18:29,859 --> 00:18:32,081 environment at any time and with combat 384 00:18:32,081 --> 00:18:35,270 equipment . These tests , they'll look 385 00:18:35,270 --> 00:18:37,326 familiar . They'll resemble the Army 386 00:18:37,326 --> 00:18:39,548 expert physical fitness assessment . Or 387 00:18:39,548 --> 00:18:41,969 the Marine Corps combat fitness test . 388 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,382 I'm also directing that war fighters in 389 00:18:45,382 --> 00:18:47,300 combat jobs execute their service 390 00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:50,180 fitness test at a gender neutral age 391 00:18:50,180 --> 00:18:53,130 normed male standard scored above 392 00:18:53,130 --> 00:18:56,760 70% . It all starts with physical 393 00:18:56,760 --> 00:18:59,369 fitness and appearance . If the 394 00:18:59,369 --> 00:19:02,369 Secretary of War can do regular hard PT , 395 00:19:03,050 --> 00:19:05,328 so can every member of our joint force . 396 00:19:06,469 --> 00:19:08,729 Frankly , it's tiring to look out at 397 00:19:08,729 --> 00:19:10,507 combat formations or really any 398 00:19:10,507 --> 00:19:14,479 formation and see fat troops . Likewise , 399 00:19:14,540 --> 00:19:16,762 it's completely unacceptable to see fat 400 00:19:16,762 --> 00:19:18,873 generals and admirals in the halls of 401 00:19:18,873 --> 00:19:20,873 the Pentagon . And leading commands 402 00:19:20,873 --> 00:19:23,040 around the country in the world , it's 403 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,262 a bad look . It is bad and it's not who 404 00:19:25,262 --> 00:19:27,429 we are . So whether you're an airborne 405 00:19:27,429 --> 00:19:29,373 ranger or a chair-borne ranger , a 406 00:19:29,373 --> 00:19:31,207 brand new private or a four-star 407 00:19:31,207 --> 00:19:33,318 general , you need to meet the height 408 00:19:33,318 --> 00:19:35,429 and weight standards and pass your PT 409 00:19:35,429 --> 00:19:37,651 test . And as the chairman said , yes , 410 00:19:37,651 --> 00:19:40,469 there is no PT test . But today at my 411 00:19:40,469 --> 00:19:42,580 direction , every member of the joint 412 00:19:42,580 --> 00:19:44,802 force at every rank is required to take 413 00:19:44,802 --> 00:19:48,079 a PT test twice a year . As well as 414 00:19:48,079 --> 00:19:50,079 meet height and weight requirements 415 00:19:50,079 --> 00:19:53,770 twice a year . Every year of service . 416 00:19:55,500 --> 00:19:57,660 Also today at my direction , every 417 00:19:57,660 --> 00:19:59,939 warrior across our joint force is 418 00:19:59,939 --> 00:20:02,930 required to do PT every duty day . 419 00:20:03,219 --> 00:20:05,386 Should be common sense . I mean , most 420 00:20:05,386 --> 00:20:07,275 units do that already . But we're 421 00:20:07,275 --> 00:20:09,330 codifying it . And we're not talking 422 00:20:09,330 --> 00:20:12,209 like hot yoga and stretching . Real 423 00:20:12,209 --> 00:20:14,969 hard PT there's either as a unit or as 424 00:20:14,969 --> 00:20:17,530 an individual . At every level , from 425 00:20:17,530 --> 00:20:19,586 the Joint Chiefs to everyone in this 426 00:20:19,586 --> 00:20:21,641 room to the youngest private leaders 427 00:20:21,641 --> 00:20:23,752 set the standard , and so many of you 428 00:20:23,752 --> 00:20:26,170 do this already . Active , guard and 429 00:20:26,170 --> 00:20:29,250 reserve . This also means grooming 430 00:20:29,250 --> 00:20:33,189 standards . No more beards , long hair , 431 00:20:33,479 --> 00:20:35,479 superficial individual expression . 432 00:20:35,479 --> 00:20:37,423 We're gonna cut our hair , shave , 433 00:20:37,423 --> 00:20:39,146 shave our beards and adhere to 434 00:20:39,146 --> 00:20:41,312 standards . Cause it's like the broken 435 00:20:41,312 --> 00:20:43,479 windows theory of policing , it's like 436 00:20:43,479 --> 00:20:45,590 when you let the small stuff go , the 437 00:20:45,590 --> 00:20:47,812 big stuff eventually goes . So you have 438 00:20:47,812 --> 00:20:50,035 to address the small stuff . This is on 439 00:20:50,035 --> 00:20:52,201 duty in the field and in the rear . If 440 00:20:52,201 --> 00:20:54,423 you want a beard , you can join special 441 00:20:54,423 --> 00:20:57,119 forces . If not , then shave . We don't 442 00:20:57,119 --> 00:20:59,829 have a military full of Nordic pagans . 443 00:21:01,109 --> 00:21:03,220 But unfortunately we have had leaders 444 00:21:03,220 --> 00:21:05,053 who either refuse to call BS and 445 00:21:05,053 --> 00:21:07,420 enforce standards . Or leaders who felt 446 00:21:07,420 --> 00:21:09,739 like they were not allowed to enforce 447 00:21:09,739 --> 00:21:12,650 standards . Both are unacceptable . 448 00:21:13,930 --> 00:21:16,097 And that's why today at my direction , 449 00:21:16,097 --> 00:21:18,319 the era of unprofessional appearance is 450 00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:22,170 over . No more beardos . The era of 451 00:21:22,170 --> 00:21:24,392 rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles 452 00:21:24,392 --> 00:21:27,160 is done . Simply put , if you do not 453 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:29,327 meet the male level physical standards 454 00:21:29,327 --> 00:21:31,800 for combat positions , cannot pass a PT 455 00:21:31,800 --> 00:21:33,856 test or don't want to shave and look 456 00:21:33,856 --> 00:21:35,800 professional . It's time for a new 457 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,500 position or a new profession . 458 00:21:40,150 --> 00:21:42,206 I sincerely appreciate the proactive 459 00:21:42,206 --> 00:21:44,261 efforts the secretaries have already 460 00:21:44,261 --> 00:21:46,428 taken in some of those areas , service 461 00:21:46,428 --> 00:21:48,594 secretaries . And these directives are 462 00:21:48,594 --> 00:21:50,594 intended to simply accelerate those 463 00:21:50,594 --> 00:21:54,420 efforts . On the topic of standards , 464 00:21:54,780 --> 00:21:56,910 allow me a few words to talk about 465 00:21:56,910 --> 00:22:00,790 toxic leaders . Upholding and 466 00:22:00,790 --> 00:22:04,030 demanding high standards is not toxic . 467 00:22:05,130 --> 00:22:08,469 Enforcing high standards , not toxic 468 00:22:08,469 --> 00:22:11,079 leadership . Leading war fighters 469 00:22:11,079 --> 00:22:13,599 toward the goals of high gender neutral 470 00:22:13,599 --> 00:22:15,710 and uncompromising standards in order 471 00:22:15,710 --> 00:22:18,359 to forge a cohesive , formidable , and 472 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:21,910 lethal department of war is not toxic . 473 00:22:23,099 --> 00:22:25,790 It is our duty Consistent with our 474 00:22:25,790 --> 00:22:29,020 constitutional oath . Real toxic 475 00:22:29,020 --> 00:22:31,187 leadership is endangering subordinates 476 00:22:31,187 --> 00:22:33,239 with low standards . Real toxic 477 00:22:33,239 --> 00:22:35,461 leadership is promoting people based on 478 00:22:35,461 --> 00:22:37,461 immutable characteristics or quotas 479 00:22:37,670 --> 00:22:39,920 instead of based on merit . Real toxic 480 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:42,000 leadership is promoting destructive 481 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:44,520 ideologies that are an anathema to the 482 00:22:44,520 --> 00:22:46,742 Constitution and the laws of nature and 483 00:22:46,742 --> 00:22:48,760 nature's God , as Thomas Jefferson 484 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:50,316 wrote in the Declaration of 485 00:22:50,316 --> 00:22:54,199 Independence . The definition of toxic 486 00:22:54,199 --> 00:22:57,069 has been turned upside down . And we're 487 00:22:57,069 --> 00:22:59,479 correcting that . That's why today at 488 00:22:59,479 --> 00:23:01,590 my direction we're undertaking a full 489 00:23:01,590 --> 00:23:03,757 review of the department's definitions 490 00:23:03,757 --> 00:23:05,890 of so-called toxic leadership , 491 00:23:06,280 --> 00:23:09,250 bullying and hazing . To empower 492 00:23:09,250 --> 00:23:11,306 leaders to enforce standards without 493 00:23:11,306 --> 00:23:13,880 fear of retribution or second guessing . 494 00:23:14,609 --> 00:23:16,560 Of course you can't do like nasty 495 00:23:16,560 --> 00:23:18,560 bullying and hazing . We're talking 496 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:20,616 about words like bullying and hazing 497 00:23:20,616 --> 00:23:22,838 and toxic . They've been weaponized and 498 00:23:22,838 --> 00:23:24,838 bastardized inside our formations , 499 00:23:24,838 --> 00:23:26,949 undercutting commanders and NCOs . No 500 00:23:26,949 --> 00:23:29,869 more . Setting , achieving and 501 00:23:29,869 --> 00:23:32,036 maintaining high standards is what you 502 00:23:32,036 --> 00:23:34,819 all do . And if that makes me toxic , 503 00:23:34,859 --> 00:23:37,750 then so be it . Second , 504 00:23:38,750 --> 00:23:40,972 Today in our direction , we're ensuring 505 00:23:40,972 --> 00:23:43,194 that every service , every unit , every 506 00:23:43,194 --> 00:23:44,972 schoolhouse , and every form of 507 00:23:44,972 --> 00:23:47,194 professional military education conduct 508 00:23:47,194 --> 00:23:49,472 an immediate review of their standards . 509 00:23:49,839 --> 00:23:51,783 Now we've done this in many places 510 00:23:51,783 --> 00:23:53,950 already , but today it goes across the 511 00:23:53,950 --> 00:23:57,430 entire department of war . Any place 512 00:23:57,430 --> 00:24:00,109 where tried and true physical standards 513 00:24:00,109 --> 00:24:03,380 were altered . Especially since 2015 514 00:24:03,380 --> 00:24:05,819 when combat arms standards were changed 515 00:24:05,819 --> 00:24:08,540 to ensure females could qualify , must 516 00:24:08,540 --> 00:24:10,818 be returned to their original standard . 517 00:24:12,079 --> 00:24:14,190 Other standards have been manipulated 518 00:24:14,190 --> 00:24:16,412 to hit racial quotas as well , which is 519 00:24:16,412 --> 00:24:18,468 just as unacceptable . This too must 520 00:24:18,468 --> 00:24:20,719 end , merit only . The president talks 521 00:24:20,719 --> 00:24:22,830 about it all the time , merit based . 522 00:24:23,449 --> 00:24:25,505 Here are two basic frameworks I urge 523 00:24:25,505 --> 00:24:27,282 you to pursue in this process . 524 00:24:27,969 --> 00:24:30,250 Standards I call my staffs are all 525 00:24:30,250 --> 00:24:34,130 about them . The 1990 test . And the 526 00:24:34,130 --> 00:24:38,130 E6 test . The 1990s 527 00:24:38,130 --> 00:24:41,219 test is simple . What were the military 528 00:24:41,219 --> 00:24:44,839 standards in 1990 ? And if they have 529 00:24:44,839 --> 00:24:48,829 changed . Tell me why . Was it 530 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:50,698 a necessary change based on the 531 00:24:50,698 --> 00:24:53,719 evolving landscape of combat ? Or was 532 00:24:53,719 --> 00:24:55,560 the change due to a softening , 533 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:57,736 weakening or gender-based pursuit of 534 00:24:57,736 --> 00:25:01,390 other priorities ? 1990s seems to be as 535 00:25:01,390 --> 00:25:04,589 good a place to start as any . And the 536 00:25:04,589 --> 00:25:07,890 E6 test . Ask yourself , does what 537 00:25:07,890 --> 00:25:10,280 you're doing make the leadership , 538 00:25:10,619 --> 00:25:12,786 accountability , and lethality efforts 539 00:25:12,786 --> 00:25:15,939 of an E6 , or , or frankly an 03 ? Does 540 00:25:15,939 --> 00:25:18,410 it make it easier or more complicated ? 541 00:25:19,530 --> 00:25:21,863 Does the change empower staff sergeants , 542 00:25:21,863 --> 00:25:23,919 petty officers and tech sergeants to 543 00:25:23,919 --> 00:25:26,290 get back to basics ? The answer should 544 00:25:26,290 --> 00:25:30,199 be a resounding yes . The E6 test or 545 00:25:30,199 --> 00:25:33,369 03 test clarifies a lot and it 546 00:25:33,369 --> 00:25:36,800 clarifies quickly . Because war does 547 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:38,911 not care if you're a man or a woman . 548 00:25:39,910 --> 00:25:42,150 Neither does the enemy , nor does the 549 00:25:42,150 --> 00:25:44,261 weight of your rucksack , the size of 550 00:25:44,261 --> 00:25:46,483 an artillery round , or the body weight 551 00:25:46,483 --> 00:25:48,539 of a casualty on the battlefield who 552 00:25:48,539 --> 00:25:50,760 must be carried . This , and I want to 553 00:25:50,760 --> 00:25:53,410 be very clear about this . This is not 554 00:25:53,410 --> 00:25:55,521 about preventing women from serving . 555 00:25:55,839 --> 00:25:58,969 We are , we very much value the impact 556 00:25:59,329 --> 00:26:01,496 of female troops . Our female officers 557 00:26:01,496 --> 00:26:04,729 and NCOs are the absolute best in the 558 00:26:04,729 --> 00:26:08,500 world . But when it comes to any job 559 00:26:08,500 --> 00:26:11,030 that requires physical power to perform 560 00:26:11,030 --> 00:26:13,086 in combat , those physical standards 561 00:26:13,086 --> 00:26:16,060 must be high and gender neutral . If 562 00:26:16,060 --> 00:26:19,380 women can make it , excellent . If not , 563 00:26:19,630 --> 00:26:22,099 it is what it is . If that means no 564 00:26:22,099 --> 00:26:24,489 women qualify for some combat jobs , so 565 00:26:24,489 --> 00:26:28,319 be it . That is not the intent But it 566 00:26:28,319 --> 00:26:31,969 could be the result , so be it . It 567 00:26:31,969 --> 00:26:34,080 will also mean that we mean that weak 568 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:36,080 men won't qualify because we're not 569 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:38,191 playing games . This is combat . This 570 00:26:38,191 --> 00:26:40,640 is life or death . As we all know , 571 00:26:40,750 --> 00:26:42,861 this is you versus an enemy hell bent 572 00:26:42,861 --> 00:26:45,930 on killing you . To be an effective 573 00:26:45,930 --> 00:26:48,449 lethal fighting force , you must trust 574 00:26:48,449 --> 00:26:50,390 that the warrior alongside you in 575 00:26:50,390 --> 00:26:54,099 battle is capable . Truly , 576 00:26:54,260 --> 00:26:56,260 physically capable of doing what is 577 00:26:56,260 --> 00:26:58,880 necessary under fire . You know , this 578 00:26:58,880 --> 00:27:01,439 is the only standard you would want for 579 00:27:01,439 --> 00:27:03,520 your kids and for your grandkids . 580 00:27:04,650 --> 00:27:06,928 Applied the War Department golden rule , 581 00:27:06,928 --> 00:27:10,380 the 1990 test , and the E6 test . It's 582 00:27:10,380 --> 00:27:13,250 really hard to go wrong . Third , 583 00:27:15,479 --> 00:27:17,701 We are attacking and ending the walking 584 00:27:17,701 --> 00:27:20,319 on eggshells and zero defect command 585 00:27:20,319 --> 00:27:23,969 culture . A risk averse culture means 586 00:27:23,969 --> 00:27:27,530 officers execute not to lose , instead 587 00:27:27,530 --> 00:27:30,750 of to win . A risk averse culture means 588 00:27:30,750 --> 00:27:32,709 NCOs are not empowered to enforce 589 00:27:32,709 --> 00:27:35,310 standards . Commanders and NCOs don't 590 00:27:35,310 --> 00:27:37,390 take necessary risks or make tough 591 00:27:37,390 --> 00:27:39,630 adjustments for fear of rocking the 592 00:27:39,630 --> 00:27:43,099 boat or making mistakes . A 593 00:27:43,099 --> 00:27:46,339 blemish free record is what peacetime 594 00:27:46,339 --> 00:27:49,290 leaders covet the most . Which is the 595 00:27:49,290 --> 00:27:53,239 worst of all incentives . You , 596 00:27:53,369 --> 00:27:56,410 we , as senior leaders need to end the 597 00:27:56,410 --> 00:27:59,130 poisonous culture of risk aversion and 598 00:27:59,130 --> 00:28:01,420 empower our NCOs at all levels to 599 00:28:01,420 --> 00:28:05,239 enforce standards . Truth be told , 600 00:28:05,449 --> 00:28:07,560 for the most part , we don't need new 601 00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:09,782 standards . We just need to reestablish 602 00:28:09,782 --> 00:28:11,949 a culture where enforcing standards is 603 00:28:11,949 --> 00:28:14,560 possible . And that's why today at my 604 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:17,079 direction , I'm issuing new policies 605 00:28:17,079 --> 00:28:20,160 that will overhaul the IG , EO , and 606 00:28:20,160 --> 00:28:23,810 MEO processes . I call it the no more 607 00:28:23,810 --> 00:28:27,140 walking on eggshells policy . We are 608 00:28:27,140 --> 00:28:30,579 liberating commanders and NCOs , we are 609 00:28:30,579 --> 00:28:34,439 liberating you . We are overhauling an 610 00:28:34,439 --> 00:28:37,000 inspector general process , the IG that 611 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:39,290 has been weaponized , putting 612 00:28:39,290 --> 00:28:42,000 complainers , ideologues and poor 613 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:44,939 performers in the driver's seat . We're 614 00:28:44,939 --> 00:28:46,606 doing the same with the equal 615 00:28:46,606 --> 00:28:48,328 opportunity and military equal 616 00:28:48,328 --> 00:28:51,420 opportunity policies , the EO and MEO 617 00:28:51,420 --> 00:28:54,540 at our department . No more frivolous 618 00:28:54,540 --> 00:28:56,819 complaints , no more anonymous 619 00:28:56,819 --> 00:28:58,689 complaints , no more repeat 620 00:28:58,689 --> 00:29:00,500 complainants , no more smearing 621 00:29:00,500 --> 00:29:02,722 reputations , no more endless waiting , 622 00:29:02,722 --> 00:29:04,500 no more legal limbo , no more 623 00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:07,819 sidetracking careers , no more walking 624 00:29:07,819 --> 00:29:11,359 on eggshells . Of course , 625 00:29:12,010 --> 00:29:14,609 being a racist has been illegal in our 626 00:29:14,609 --> 00:29:18,280 formation since 1948 . The same goes 627 00:29:18,280 --> 00:29:21,260 for sexual harassment . Both are wrong 628 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:23,790 and illegal . Those kinds of 629 00:29:23,790 --> 00:29:26,829 infractions will be ruthlessly enforced . 630 00:29:28,189 --> 00:29:30,300 But telling someone to shave or get a 631 00:29:30,300 --> 00:29:32,356 haircut or to get in shape or to fix 632 00:29:32,356 --> 00:29:34,522 their uniform or to show up on time or 633 00:29:34,522 --> 00:29:36,689 to work hard , that's exactly the kind 634 00:29:36,689 --> 00:29:38,856 of discrimination we want . We are not 635 00:29:38,856 --> 00:29:41,180 civilians . You are not civilians . You 636 00:29:41,180 --> 00:29:44,290 are set apart for a distinct purpose . 637 00:29:45,140 --> 00:29:47,084 So we as a department need to stop 638 00:29:47,084 --> 00:29:49,251 acting and thinking like civilians and 639 00:29:49,251 --> 00:29:51,307 get back to basics and put the power 640 00:29:51,307 --> 00:29:53,307 back in the hands of commanders and 641 00:29:53,307 --> 00:29:55,307 NCOs , commanders and NCOs who make 642 00:29:55,307 --> 00:29:58,709 life and death decisions , commanders 643 00:29:58,709 --> 00:30:00,653 and NCOs who enforce standards and 644 00:30:00,653 --> 00:30:04,020 ensure readiness , commanders and NCOs 645 00:30:04,020 --> 00:30:06,930 who in this war department . Have to 646 00:30:06,930 --> 00:30:09,369 look in the mirror . And you have to 647 00:30:09,369 --> 00:30:13,219 pass the golden rule test . My kids , 648 00:30:13,670 --> 00:30:16,670 your kids , America's sons and 649 00:30:16,670 --> 00:30:19,930 daughters . So I urge you all here 650 00:30:19,930 --> 00:30:21,986 today and those watching , take this 651 00:30:21,986 --> 00:30:24,920 guidance and run with it . The core of 652 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:27,087 this speech is the 10 directives we're 653 00:30:27,087 --> 00:30:29,142 announcing today . They were written 654 00:30:29,142 --> 00:30:32,209 for you . For Army leadership , for 655 00:30:32,209 --> 00:30:34,153 Navy leadership , for Marine Corps 656 00:30:34,153 --> 00:30:36,376 leadership , for Air Force leadership , 657 00:30:36,376 --> 00:30:38,098 Space Force leadership , these 658 00:30:38,098 --> 00:30:40,098 directives are designed to take the 659 00:30:40,098 --> 00:30:42,709 monkey off your back . And put you , 660 00:30:42,719 --> 00:30:44,830 the leadership , back in the driver's 661 00:30:44,830 --> 00:30:47,989 seat . Move out with urgency because we 662 00:30:47,989 --> 00:30:51,069 have your back . I have your back , and 663 00:30:51,069 --> 00:30:53,619 the commander in chief has your back . 664 00:30:55,630 --> 00:30:57,852 And when we give you this guidance , we 665 00:30:57,852 --> 00:31:00,250 know mistakes will be made . It's the 666 00:31:00,250 --> 00:31:02,361 nature of leadership . But you should 667 00:31:02,361 --> 00:31:04,472 not pay for earnest mistakes for your 668 00:31:04,472 --> 00:31:06,949 entire career . And that's why today at 669 00:31:06,949 --> 00:31:09,239 my direction , we're making changes to 670 00:31:09,239 --> 00:31:11,461 the retention of adverse information on 671 00:31:11,461 --> 00:31:13,449 personnel records that will allow 672 00:31:13,449 --> 00:31:15,839 leaders with forgivable , earnest , or 673 00:31:15,839 --> 00:31:18,089 minor infractions to not be encumbered 674 00:31:18,089 --> 00:31:20,145 by those infractions in perpetuity . 675 00:31:20,890 --> 00:31:23,599 People make honest mistakes , and our 676 00:31:23,599 --> 00:31:25,655 mistakes should not define an entire 677 00:31:25,655 --> 00:31:28,089 career . Otherwise we only try not to 678 00:31:28,089 --> 00:31:29,922 make mistakes and that's not the 679 00:31:29,922 --> 00:31:32,199 business we're in . We need risk takers 680 00:31:32,439 --> 00:31:35,229 and aggressive leaders and a culture 681 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:39,390 that supports you . 4th , at 682 00:31:39,390 --> 00:31:41,557 the War Department , promotions across 683 00:31:41,557 --> 00:31:43,612 the joint force will be based on one 684 00:31:43,612 --> 00:31:46,869 thing . Merit . Color blind , gender 685 00:31:46,869 --> 00:31:49,150 neutral , merit-based . The entire 686 00:31:49,150 --> 00:31:50,817 promotion process , including 687 00:31:50,817 --> 00:31:52,372 evaluations of war fighting 688 00:31:52,372 --> 00:31:54,317 capabilities , is being thoroughly 689 00:31:54,317 --> 00:31:56,483 re-examined . We've already done a lot 690 00:31:56,483 --> 00:31:58,483 in this area , but more changes are 691 00:31:58,483 --> 00:32:01,209 coming soon . We promote top performing 692 00:32:01,209 --> 00:32:04,209 officers and NCOs faster . And get rid 693 00:32:04,209 --> 00:32:06,199 of poor performers more quickly . 694 00:32:07,060 --> 00:32:10,140 Evaluations , education , and field 695 00:32:10,140 --> 00:32:12,619 exercises . Will become real 696 00:32:12,619 --> 00:32:14,979 evaluations , not box checks for every 697 00:32:14,979 --> 00:32:16,930 one of us at every level . 698 00:32:18,959 --> 00:32:20,903 These same reforms happened before 699 00:32:20,903 --> 00:32:23,000 World War 2 as well . General George 700 00:32:23,000 --> 00:32:25,510 Marshall and Secretary of War Henry 701 00:32:25,510 --> 00:32:28,910 Stimson did the same thing . And we won 702 00:32:28,910 --> 00:32:32,030 a world war because of it . As it 703 00:32:32,030 --> 00:32:34,030 happens , when he started the job , 704 00:32:34,030 --> 00:32:36,869 Chairman Kaine gave me a frame and a 705 00:32:36,869 --> 00:32:39,800 photo to hang in my office . A matching 706 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:42,290 frame and photo hangs in his . 707 00:32:43,609 --> 00:32:45,776 It's a photo of Marshall and Stimson . 708 00:32:46,010 --> 00:32:48,859 Preparing for World War II . Those two 709 00:32:48,859 --> 00:32:51,069 leaders famously kept the door open 710 00:32:51,069 --> 00:32:53,560 between their offices for the entirety 711 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:56,099 of the war . They worked together , 712 00:32:56,260 --> 00:32:59,459 civilian and uniform every single day . 713 00:33:00,599 --> 00:33:02,543 Chairman Kaine and I do the same . 714 00:33:02,719 --> 00:33:04,830 There is no daylight between us . Our 715 00:33:04,830 --> 00:33:07,180 doors are always open . Our job 716 00:33:07,180 --> 00:33:09,790 together is to ensure our military is 717 00:33:09,790 --> 00:33:12,900 led by the very best . Ready to answer 718 00:33:13,140 --> 00:33:17,099 the nation's call . 5th 719 00:33:18,119 --> 00:33:21,910 As you have seen , And the media has 720 00:33:21,910 --> 00:33:24,709 obsessed over . I have fired a number 721 00:33:24,709 --> 00:33:26,876 of senior officers since taking over . 722 00:33:27,459 --> 00:33:29,609 The previous chairman , other members 723 00:33:29,609 --> 00:33:31,387 of the Joint Chiefs , combatant 724 00:33:31,387 --> 00:33:33,609 commanders , and other commanders . The 725 00:33:33,609 --> 00:33:35,053 rationale for me has been 726 00:33:35,053 --> 00:33:36,720 straightforward . It's nearly 727 00:33:36,720 --> 00:33:38,942 impossible to change a culture with the 728 00:33:38,942 --> 00:33:41,053 same people who helped create or even 729 00:33:41,053 --> 00:33:43,165 benefited from that culture . Even if 730 00:33:43,165 --> 00:33:45,331 that culture was created by a previous 731 00:33:45,331 --> 00:33:47,530 president and previous secretary . My 732 00:33:47,530 --> 00:33:50,040 approach has been simple . When in 733 00:33:50,040 --> 00:33:53,119 doubt , assess the situation , follow 734 00:33:53,119 --> 00:33:55,479 your gut , and if it's the best for the 735 00:33:55,479 --> 00:33:58,849 military , make a change . We 736 00:33:58,849 --> 00:34:01,290 all serve at the pleasure of the 737 00:34:01,290 --> 00:34:04,199 president every single day . 738 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:08,820 But in many ways , it's not their fault . 739 00:34:09,928 --> 00:34:12,860 It's not your fault . As foolish and 740 00:34:12,860 --> 00:34:15,209 reckless as the woke department was , 741 00:34:15,439 --> 00:34:17,810 those officers were following elected 742 00:34:17,810 --> 00:34:20,949 political leadership . An entire 743 00:34:20,949 --> 00:34:22,949 generation of generals and admirals 744 00:34:22,949 --> 00:34:25,320 were told that they must parrot the 745 00:34:25,320 --> 00:34:28,409 insane fallacy that our diversity is 746 00:34:28,409 --> 00:34:31,539 our strength . Of course , we know our 747 00:34:31,539 --> 00:34:34,000 unity is our strength . They had to put 748 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:37,830 out dizzying DEI and LGBTQI plus 749 00:34:38,320 --> 00:34:40,889 statements . They were told females and 750 00:34:40,889 --> 00:34:43,608 males are the same thing . Or that 751 00:34:43,608 --> 00:34:46,688 males who think they're females totally 752 00:34:46,688 --> 00:34:50,110 normal . They were told that we need a 753 00:34:50,110 --> 00:34:53,199 green fleet and electric tanks . They 754 00:34:53,199 --> 00:34:55,199 were told to kick out Americans who 755 00:34:55,199 --> 00:34:57,189 refuse an emergency vaccine . They 756 00:34:57,189 --> 00:34:59,110 followed civilian policies set by 757 00:34:59,110 --> 00:35:02,389 foolish and reckless political leaders . 758 00:35:04,449 --> 00:35:08,209 Our job , my job has been to determine 759 00:35:08,209 --> 00:35:10,770 which leaders simply did what they must 760 00:35:10,959 --> 00:35:13,126 to answer the prerogatives of civilian 761 00:35:13,126 --> 00:35:15,070 leadership . And which leaders are 762 00:35:15,070 --> 00:35:17,181 truly invested in the woke department 763 00:35:17,181 --> 00:35:19,237 and therefore incapable of embracing 764 00:35:19,237 --> 00:35:21,649 the war department and executing new 765 00:35:21,860 --> 00:35:24,959 lawful orders . That's it . It's that 766 00:35:24,959 --> 00:35:27,909 simple . So for the past 8 months we've 767 00:35:27,909 --> 00:35:29,965 gotten a good look under the hood of 768 00:35:29,965 --> 00:35:32,550 our officer corps . We've done our best 769 00:35:32,550 --> 00:35:34,828 to thoroughly assess the human terrain . 770 00:35:35,169 --> 00:35:37,520 We've had to make trade-offs and some 771 00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:40,469 difficult decisions . It's more of an 772 00:35:40,469 --> 00:35:43,199 art than a science . We have been and 773 00:35:43,199 --> 00:35:46,409 will continue to be judicious . But 774 00:35:46,409 --> 00:35:50,189 also expeditious . The 775 00:35:50,189 --> 00:35:53,540 new compass heading is clear . Out with 776 00:35:53,540 --> 00:35:55,707 the Shirelles , the McKenzie , and the 777 00:35:55,707 --> 00:35:57,959 Millies . And in with the Stockdale , 778 00:35:58,080 --> 00:36:00,191 the Schwartzkopfs , and the patents . 779 00:36:01,750 --> 00:36:04,110 More leadership changes will be made of 780 00:36:04,110 --> 00:36:06,449 that uncertain . Not because we want to , 781 00:36:06,500 --> 00:36:08,722 but because we must . Once again , this 782 00:36:08,722 --> 00:36:11,389 is life and death . The sooner we have 783 00:36:11,389 --> 00:36:13,445 the right people , the sooner we can 784 00:36:13,445 --> 00:36:15,611 advance the right policies . Personnel 785 00:36:15,611 --> 00:36:18,459 is policy . But I look out at this 786 00:36:18,459 --> 00:36:20,919 group . And I see great Americans . 787 00:36:22,070 --> 00:36:25,030 Leaders who have given decades to our 788 00:36:25,030 --> 00:36:28,070 great republic at great sacrifice to 789 00:36:28,070 --> 00:36:30,719 yourselves . And to your families . 790 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:34,899 But if the words I'm speaking today are 791 00:36:34,899 --> 00:36:38,399 making your heart sink . Then you 792 00:36:38,399 --> 00:36:40,288 should do the honorable thing and 793 00:36:40,288 --> 00:36:43,649 resign . We would thank you for your 794 00:36:43,649 --> 00:36:47,489 service . But I suspect , I 795 00:36:47,489 --> 00:36:50,860 know . The overwhelming majority of you 796 00:36:50,860 --> 00:36:53,520 feel the opposite . These words make 797 00:36:53,520 --> 00:36:56,790 your hearts full . You love the War 798 00:36:56,790 --> 00:36:59,123 Department because you love what you do , 799 00:36:59,123 --> 00:37:01,850 the profession of arms . You are hereby 800 00:37:01,919 --> 00:37:05,479 liberated . To be an apolitical , hard 801 00:37:05,479 --> 00:37:08,719 charging , no nonsense constitutional 802 00:37:08,719 --> 00:37:10,959 leader that you joined the military to 803 00:37:10,959 --> 00:37:14,889 be . We need you 804 00:37:14,889 --> 00:37:18,659 locked in on the M . Not 805 00:37:18,659 --> 00:37:21,260 the D , the E or the I , not the DEI or 806 00:37:21,260 --> 00:37:24,510 the DIE of dime . By that I mean the 807 00:37:24,510 --> 00:37:28,120 Military of the instruments of national 808 00:37:28,120 --> 00:37:31,399 power . We have entire departments 809 00:37:31,399 --> 00:37:33,343 across the government dedicated to 810 00:37:33,343 --> 00:37:35,455 diplomatic informational and economic 811 00:37:35,455 --> 00:37:37,621 lines of effort . We do the M . Nobody 812 00:37:37,621 --> 00:37:40,199 else does , and our Goos need to master 813 00:37:40,199 --> 00:37:42,421 it in every domain and every scenario . 814 00:37:42,421 --> 00:37:44,143 No more distractions , no more 815 00:37:44,143 --> 00:37:46,719 political ideologies , no more debris . 816 00:37:48,010 --> 00:37:50,121 Now of course we're going to disagree 817 00:37:50,121 --> 00:37:52,629 at times . We would not be Americans if 818 00:37:52,629 --> 00:37:55,629 we didn't . Being a leader in a large 819 00:37:55,629 --> 00:37:57,629 organization like ours means having 820 00:37:57,629 --> 00:38:00,320 frank conversations . And differences 821 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:02,969 of opinion . You will win some 822 00:38:02,969 --> 00:38:04,929 arguments and you will lose some 823 00:38:04,929 --> 00:38:07,429 arguments . But when civilian leaders 824 00:38:07,429 --> 00:38:10,060 issue lawful orders , we execute . We 825 00:38:10,250 --> 00:38:13,280 are professionals in the profession of 826 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:17,010 arms . Our entire constitutional system 827 00:38:17,540 --> 00:38:20,500 is predicated upon this understanding . 828 00:38:22,080 --> 00:38:24,191 Now , it seems like a small thing but 829 00:38:24,191 --> 00:38:26,247 it's not . This includes as well the 830 00:38:26,247 --> 00:38:29,510 behavior of our troops online . To that 831 00:38:29,510 --> 00:38:31,790 end , I want to thank and recognize the 832 00:38:31,790 --> 00:38:34,012 services for their new proactive social 833 00:38:34,012 --> 00:38:36,580 media policies . Use them 834 00:38:37,629 --> 00:38:40,070 Anonymous online or keyboard 835 00:38:40,070 --> 00:38:42,419 complaining is not worthy of a warrior , 836 00:38:42,790 --> 00:38:45,149 it's cowardice masquerading as 837 00:38:45,149 --> 00:38:47,899 conscience . Anonymous unit level 838 00:38:47,899 --> 00:38:49,566 social media pages that trash 839 00:38:49,566 --> 00:38:51,621 commanders , demoralize troops , and 840 00:38:51,621 --> 00:38:54,310 undermine unit cohesion must not be 841 00:38:54,620 --> 00:38:58,510 tolerated . Again , 03s , 842 00:38:58,639 --> 00:39:02,560 E6s . 6th , we must 843 00:39:02,560 --> 00:39:06,340 train and we must maintain . Any moment 844 00:39:06,340 --> 00:39:08,562 that we are not training on our mission 845 00:39:08,780 --> 00:39:10,860 or maintaining our equipment is a 846 00:39:10,860 --> 00:39:12,638 moment we are less prepared for 847 00:39:12,638 --> 00:39:14,693 preventing or winning the next war . 848 00:39:16,159 --> 00:39:18,326 That is why today at my direction , we 849 00:39:18,326 --> 00:39:20,959 are drastically reducing the ridiculous 850 00:39:20,959 --> 00:39:23,080 amount of mandatory training that 851 00:39:23,080 --> 00:39:25,136 individuals and units must execute . 852 00:39:26,459 --> 00:39:28,737 We've already ended the most egregious . 853 00:39:29,060 --> 00:39:31,171 Now we're giving you back real time . 854 00:39:31,171 --> 00:39:33,171 Less PowerPoint briefings and fewer 855 00:39:33,171 --> 00:39:35,393 online courses , more time in the motor 856 00:39:35,393 --> 00:39:37,860 pool , and more time on the range . Our 857 00:39:37,860 --> 00:39:40,138 job is to make sure you have the money , 858 00:39:40,138 --> 00:39:42,082 equipment , weapons , and parts to 859 00:39:42,082 --> 00:39:44,249 train and maintain , and then you take 860 00:39:44,249 --> 00:39:46,159 it from there . You all know this 861 00:39:46,159 --> 00:39:48,989 because it's common sense . The tougher 862 00:39:49,199 --> 00:39:51,199 and the higher the standards in our 863 00:39:51,199 --> 00:39:53,760 units , the higher the retention rates 864 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:56,469 in those units . Warriors want to be 865 00:39:56,469 --> 00:39:58,691 challenged , troops want to be tested . 866 00:39:58,691 --> 00:40:00,636 When you don't train and you don't 867 00:40:00,636 --> 00:40:03,449 maintain , you demoralize . And that's 868 00:40:03,449 --> 00:40:05,449 when our best people decide to take 869 00:40:05,449 --> 00:40:07,560 their talents to the civilian world . 870 00:40:08,530 --> 00:40:10,363 The leaders who created the Woke 871 00:40:10,363 --> 00:40:12,530 department have already driven out too 872 00:40:12,530 --> 00:40:14,586 many hard chargers . We reverse that 873 00:40:14,586 --> 00:40:17,830 trend right now . There is no world in 874 00:40:17,830 --> 00:40:20,052 which high intensity war exists without 875 00:40:20,052 --> 00:40:23,840 pain , agony , and human tragedy . We 876 00:40:23,840 --> 00:40:26,550 are in a dangerous line of work . You 877 00:40:26,550 --> 00:40:28,830 are in a dangerous line of work . 878 00:40:31,110 --> 00:40:34,370 We may lose good people But let no 879 00:40:34,370 --> 00:40:36,610 warrior cry out from the grave if only 880 00:40:36,610 --> 00:40:40,580 I had been properly trained . We will 881 00:40:40,580 --> 00:40:42,860 not use lose war fighters because we 882 00:40:42,860 --> 00:40:45,219 fail to train or equip them or resource 883 00:40:45,219 --> 00:40:48,179 them . Shame on us if we do . Train 884 00:40:48,179 --> 00:40:50,457 like your warriors' lives depend on it . 885 00:40:51,100 --> 00:40:55,080 Because they do . To that point , basic 886 00:40:55,080 --> 00:40:57,191 training is being restored to what it 887 00:40:57,191 --> 00:40:59,510 should be . Scary , tough , and 888 00:40:59,510 --> 00:41:01,729 disciplined . We're empowering drill 889 00:41:01,729 --> 00:41:03,889 sergeants to instill healthy fear in 890 00:41:03,889 --> 00:41:07,409 new recruits . Ensuring that future war 891 00:41:07,409 --> 00:41:10,389 fighters are forged . Yes , they can 892 00:41:10,389 --> 00:41:12,469 shark attack . They can toss bunks , 893 00:41:12,550 --> 00:41:14,939 they can swear , and yes , they can put 894 00:41:14,939 --> 00:41:17,270 their hands on recruits . This does not 895 00:41:17,270 --> 00:41:19,790 mean they can be reckless or violate 896 00:41:19,790 --> 00:41:22,149 the law , but they can use tried and 897 00:41:22,149 --> 00:41:25,030 true methods to motivate new 898 00:41:25,030 --> 00:41:28,189 recruits to make them the warriors they 899 00:41:28,189 --> 00:41:32,030 need to be . Back to basics at Basic 900 00:41:32,030 --> 00:41:35,280 as well . Of course , and you know this 901 00:41:35,280 --> 00:41:37,280 basic training is not where mission 902 00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:39,336 readiness should end . The nature of 903 00:41:39,336 --> 00:41:41,558 the evolving threat environment demands 904 00:41:41,558 --> 00:41:44,070 that everyone . In every job must be 905 00:41:44,070 --> 00:41:47,020 ready to join the fight if needed . A 906 00:41:47,020 --> 00:41:49,750 core credo of the Marine Corps is every 907 00:41:49,750 --> 00:41:52,659 Marine a rifleman . It means that 908 00:41:52,659 --> 00:41:54,830 everyone , regardless of MOS is 909 00:41:54,830 --> 00:41:56,889 proficient enough to engage an enemy 910 00:41:56,889 --> 00:41:59,110 threat at sea in the air or in a 911 00:41:59,110 --> 00:42:02,889 so-called rear area . We need to ensure 912 00:42:02,889 --> 00:42:04,833 that every member of our uniformed 913 00:42:04,833 --> 00:42:07,209 military maintains baseline proficiency 914 00:42:07,209 --> 00:42:10,330 and basic combat skills . Especially 915 00:42:10,330 --> 00:42:12,497 because the next war , like the last , 916 00:42:12,719 --> 00:42:15,120 will likely not have a rear area . 917 00:42:17,379 --> 00:42:20,800 Finally , As President Trump rightly 918 00:42:20,800 --> 00:42:22,719 pointed out when he changed the 919 00:42:22,719 --> 00:42:25,000 department name , the United States has 920 00:42:25,000 --> 00:42:27,439 not won a major theater war since the 921 00:42:27,439 --> 00:42:29,639 name was changed to the Department of 922 00:42:29,639 --> 00:42:31,870 Defense in 1947 . 923 00:42:33,330 --> 00:42:35,360 One conflict stands out in stark 924 00:42:35,360 --> 00:42:38,399 contrast . The Gulf War . 925 00:42:39,879 --> 00:42:41,712 Why ? Well , there's a number of 926 00:42:41,712 --> 00:42:43,879 reasons , but it was a limited mission 927 00:42:43,879 --> 00:42:46,101 with overwhelming force and a clear end 928 00:42:46,101 --> 00:42:48,268 state . But why did we execute and win 929 00:42:48,268 --> 00:42:50,379 the Gulf War the way we did in 1991 ? 930 00:42:50,379 --> 00:42:53,560 There are 2 overwhelming reasons . One 931 00:42:53,560 --> 00:42:55,727 was President Ronald Reagan's military 932 00:42:55,727 --> 00:42:58,004 buildup gave an overwhelming advantage . 933 00:42:58,080 --> 00:43:00,280 And 2 , military and Pentagon 934 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:03,030 leadership had previous formative 935 00:43:03,239 --> 00:43:06,860 battlefield experiences . The men who 936 00:43:06,860 --> 00:43:09,193 led this department during the Gulf War . 937 00:43:09,699 --> 00:43:12,209 We're mostly combat veterans of the 938 00:43:12,209 --> 00:43:15,600 Vietnam War . They said never again to 939 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:18,439 mission creep or nebulous end states . 940 00:43:19,389 --> 00:43:21,719 The same holds true today . Our 941 00:43:21,719 --> 00:43:23,719 civilian and military leadership is 942 00:43:23,719 --> 00:43:26,280 chock full of veterans from Iraq and 943 00:43:26,280 --> 00:43:28,919 Afghanistan . Who say never again to 944 00:43:28,919 --> 00:43:31,252 nation building and nebulous end states . 945 00:43:32,169 --> 00:43:34,610 This clear-eyed view all the way in the 946 00:43:34,610 --> 00:43:36,850 White House , combined with President 947 00:43:36,850 --> 00:43:39,649 Trump's military buildup , postures us 948 00:43:39,649 --> 00:43:42,639 for future victories if , and we will , 949 00:43:43,250 --> 00:43:45,810 and when we embrace the War Department . 950 00:43:47,100 --> 00:43:50,719 And we must We are preparing 951 00:43:51,050 --> 00:43:53,217 every day , we have to be prepared for 952 00:43:53,217 --> 00:43:55,383 war , not for defense . We're training 953 00:43:55,383 --> 00:43:57,383 warriors , not defenders . We fight 954 00:43:57,383 --> 00:43:59,820 wars to win , not to defend . Defense 955 00:43:59,820 --> 00:44:02,042 is something you do all the time . It's 956 00:44:02,042 --> 00:44:04,209 inherently reactionary and can lead to 957 00:44:04,209 --> 00:44:06,542 overuse , overreach , and mission creep . 958 00:44:06,709 --> 00:44:09,350 War is something you do sparingly on 959 00:44:09,350 --> 00:44:11,830 our own terms , and with clear aims . 960 00:44:12,629 --> 00:44:15,379 We fight to win . We unleash 961 00:44:15,790 --> 00:44:18,709 overwhelming and punishing violence on 962 00:44:18,709 --> 00:44:21,860 the enemy . We also don't fight with 963 00:44:21,860 --> 00:44:24,649 stupid rules of engagement . We untie 964 00:44:24,649 --> 00:44:26,482 the hands of our war fighters to 965 00:44:26,482 --> 00:44:29,080 intimidate , demoralize , hunt and kill 966 00:44:29,080 --> 00:44:32,229 the enemies of our country . No more 967 00:44:32,229 --> 00:44:34,229 politically correct and overbearing 968 00:44:34,229 --> 00:44:36,790 rules of engagement . Just common sense , 969 00:44:37,320 --> 00:44:39,879 maximum lethality and authority for war 970 00:44:39,879 --> 00:44:43,040 fighters . That's all I ever wanted as 971 00:44:43,040 --> 00:44:46,989 a platoon leader . And it's all my E6 972 00:44:46,989 --> 00:44:48,989 squad leaders ever wanted , back to 973 00:44:48,989 --> 00:44:51,379 that E6 rule . We let our leaders fight 974 00:44:51,379 --> 00:44:53,699 their formations . And then we have 975 00:44:53,699 --> 00:44:57,110 their back . It's very simple . Yet 976 00:44:57,110 --> 00:45:01,030 incredibly powerful . A few months 977 00:45:01,030 --> 00:45:02,919 ago I was at the White House when 978 00:45:02,919 --> 00:45:04,586 President Trump announced his 979 00:45:04,586 --> 00:45:06,530 liberation Day for America's trade 980 00:45:06,530 --> 00:45:09,419 policy . It was a landmark day Well , 981 00:45:09,580 --> 00:45:11,860 today is another liberation day . The 982 00:45:11,860 --> 00:45:13,860 liberation of America's warriors in 983 00:45:13,860 --> 00:45:16,610 name , indeed , and in authorities . 984 00:45:18,139 --> 00:45:20,306 You kill people and break things for a 985 00:45:20,306 --> 00:45:22,989 living . You are not politically 986 00:45:22,989 --> 00:45:25,870 correct . And don't necessarily belong 987 00:45:26,610 --> 00:45:30,000 always in polite society . We are not 988 00:45:30,000 --> 00:45:33,250 an army of one . We are a joint force 989 00:45:33,250 --> 00:45:36,879 of millions of selfless Americans . We 990 00:45:36,879 --> 00:45:40,729 are warriors . We are purpose-built Not 991 00:45:40,729 --> 00:45:43,290 for fair weather , blue skies or calm 992 00:45:43,290 --> 00:45:45,760 seas . We were built to load up in the 993 00:45:45,760 --> 00:45:49,679 back of helicopters , 5 tons or zodiacs 994 00:45:49,679 --> 00:45:52,409 in the dead of night . In fair weather 995 00:45:52,409 --> 00:45:56,239 or foul . To go to dangerous places to 996 00:45:56,239 --> 00:45:58,350 find , to find those who would do our 997 00:45:58,350 --> 00:46:01,969 nation harm . And deliver justice on 998 00:46:01,969 --> 00:46:04,136 behalf of the American people in close 999 00:46:04,136 --> 00:46:06,320 and brutal combat if necessary . 1000 00:46:08,100 --> 00:46:09,211 You are different . 1001 00:46:12,219 --> 00:46:14,540 We fight not because we hate what's in 1002 00:46:14,540 --> 00:46:17,010 front of us . We fight because we love 1003 00:46:17,010 --> 00:46:19,739 what's behind us . You see , the Ivy 1004 00:46:19,739 --> 00:46:21,683 League faculty loungers will never 1005 00:46:21,683 --> 00:46:24,070 understand us , and that's OK . Because 1006 00:46:24,070 --> 00:46:26,020 they could never do what you do . 1007 00:46:27,870 --> 00:46:30,092 The media will mischaracterize us , and 1008 00:46:30,092 --> 00:46:32,479 that's OK , because deep down they know 1009 00:46:32,479 --> 00:46:34,646 the reason they can do what they do is 1010 00:46:34,646 --> 00:46:37,629 you . In this profession , you feel 1011 00:46:37,629 --> 00:46:39,851 comfortable inside the violence so that 1012 00:46:39,851 --> 00:46:41,796 our citizens can live peacefully . 1013 00:46:42,929 --> 00:46:45,489 Lethality is our calling card , and 1014 00:46:45,489 --> 00:46:48,449 victory our only acceptable end state . 1015 00:46:50,600 --> 00:46:54,280 In closing A few weeks ago at our 1016 00:46:54,280 --> 00:46:56,169 monthly Pentagon Christian prayer 1017 00:46:56,169 --> 00:46:58,699 service . I recited a commander's 1018 00:46:58,699 --> 00:47:01,979 prayer . It's a simple yet meaningful 1019 00:47:01,979 --> 00:47:04,035 prayer for wisdom for commanders and 1020 00:47:04,035 --> 00:47:06,257 leaders . I encourage you to look it up 1021 00:47:06,257 --> 00:47:08,280 if you've never seen it . But the 1022 00:47:08,280 --> 00:47:11,760 prayer , it ends like this . And most 1023 00:47:11,760 --> 00:47:15,120 of all , Lord , please keep my 1024 00:47:15,120 --> 00:47:19,120 soldiers safe . Lead them , guide them , 1025 00:47:19,540 --> 00:47:22,580 protect them , watch over them . And as 1026 00:47:22,580 --> 00:47:25,840 you gave all of yourself for me , 1027 00:47:26,530 --> 00:47:29,379 help me give all of myself for them . 1028 00:47:30,590 --> 00:47:33,389 And amen . I have prayed this prayer 1029 00:47:33,389 --> 00:47:35,611 many times since I've had the privilege 1030 00:47:35,611 --> 00:47:37,729 of being your secretary . And I will 1031 00:47:37,729 --> 00:47:39,840 continue to pray this prayer for each 1032 00:47:39,840 --> 00:47:42,699 of you as you command and lead our 1033 00:47:42,699 --> 00:47:46,100 nation's finest . Go 1034 00:47:46,100 --> 00:47:49,699 forth and do good things , hard 1035 00:47:49,699 --> 00:47:53,429 things . President Trump has your back 1036 00:47:53,429 --> 00:47:57,300 and so do I . And you'll 1037 00:47:57,300 --> 00:48:00,530 hear from him shortly . Move out 1038 00:48:01,429 --> 00:48:05,330 And draw fire Because we Are 1039 00:48:05,330 --> 00:48:08,780 the War Department . Godspeed . Who , 1040 00:48:10,219 --> 00:48:10,520 John .