TRANSCRIPTION FOR CENTRAL COMMAND CHANGE OF COMMAND

U.S. Central Command, Mac Dill AFB, FL

31 OCT 08

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DR. ROBERT M. GATES:

Good morning it’s a pleasure to be with you this morning and a special welcome to all of our distinguished guests including members of the Florida Congressional Delegation, the Governor and leaders from the Tampa community. I’d also like to acknowledge our coalition partners and extend my gratitude to their troops and advisors serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the command area of responsibility.

The United States has had enduring interests in this AOR for many decades under Presidents of both political parties, we will continue to have a presence there standing strong with our friends, neighbors and allies.

Today is a special day for the Dempsey and Petraeus family. As we celebrate this change of command and recognize the achievements of the men and women of Central Command. I recall my first meeting with Marty Dempsey when he took the reigns of CENTCOM some seven months ago. He gave me a sheet of paper outlining the priorities of this command and asked for my guidance. After hearing what Marty had to say I simply held up that same sheet of paper and said this is my guidance to you, a testament to his strategic vision and pragmatism which he possesses an extra measure.

These past few months, Marty has more than held down the fort here at CENTCOM. He has fully seized the reigns and taken on the responsibilities of leading this vital command. He has reorganized the headquarters, published a theater strategy and a theater campaign plan, revised contingency plans and reviewed and revised regional and country action plans. He and his team have also realigned the combined joint task force in the Horn of Africa under U.S. Africa Command, activated earlier this month. They managed the rotations of deployments of tens of thousands of troops throughout the command’s AOR and they’ve overseen and supported the regional diplomatic security effort to counter violent extremism and support elected governments in Iraq and Afghanistan and much, much more.

Through it all, Marty has always placed the war fighter at the forefront, a priority that he made clear from day one, and he has responded at every turn with a quiet confidence that earned my admiration and that of countless others under his command and throughout the region. Marty will bring these qualities to his new post as the next four star Commander at the Armies Training and Doctrine Command.

He is ideally suited for this assignment based on his experience here and his two tours in Iraq, leading the first armored division in Baghdad during the difficult initial year and then heading up Multi-National Security and Transition Command where he stood up the Iraqi army and police forces that played such a key role in the success of the surge. Marty’s background in counter insurgency, urban warfare, and training and equipping Iraqi security forces well positions him to shape a new generation of Army leaders at TRADOC arguably one of the most important commands in the American military.

Of course, Marty would be the first to admit that much of his success stems from the love and support of his high school sweetheart Deanie. Deanie has guided the family through endless moves, in fact their next one to Fort Monroe will mark their twentieth military move during Marty’s 34-year career. All the while, Deanie has been a friend to the military families. She is an ardent supporter of Operation Helping Hand, which cares for wounded warriors receiving treatment for spinal cord injuries at the VA Hospital here in Tampa. Deanie, thank you for the many ways in which you have served. I wish you and Marty the best.

It is hard to find much more to say about Gen David Petraeus. At the MNF-I change of command ceremony a few weeks ago I said that history will regard him as one of our nation’s great battle captains. He is the preeminent soldier, scholar, statesman of his generation and precisely the man we need at this command at this time.

Under his leadership our troops have dealt our enemies in Iraq a tremendous blow. Now he will take aim at our adversaries in Afghanistan and lead security capacity efforts throughout the Middle East, the Gulf and Central Asia, while working with our partners to counter a range of national and trans-national threats.

At his side stands Holly, who’s devoted her life to helping Army families. For years she has worked with the better business bureau to provide consumer education and advocacy for service members and their kin. She often travels around the United States to offer free seminars to military families on money matters, an especially valuable service in today’s economy. And like so many spouses she has essentially been a single mom to her children during days of multiple deployments.

During my tenure as Secretary of Defense I have met with a number of parents who were concerned about their deployed son or daughter. For them war is no extraction. The same is true for the Petraeus and Dempsey families. Between them they have four children who have served, are serving or will serve in the Army. That included, I might add, Marty’s youngest daughter who’s currently in Afghanistan. Both families clearly value, indeed, they embody the notion of giving back to the country they love. I would say the same of the men and women of Central Command. CENTCOM went on a war footing when our country was attacked and has not let up since.

For seven years, those who serve in this command have bravely stepped forward and unsheathed the sword on our enemies. I’ve heard it said that communism didn’t fall it was pushed. Likewise, violent extremism will neither crumble or fade away of it’s own accord.

It will be the valor, grit and fighting spirit of you, the men and women of United States Central Command, that will give heart to our friends while pursuing terrorists where they hide. Wrecking their malevolent design and keeping them far from our shores. Please accept my heart felt gratitude for your service and your sacrifice on behalf of our nation. General Petraeus, you, again taking responsibility for our precious sons and daughters. I have no doubt they will continue to make you and me and all Americans very proud. Good luck and God speed.

ADMIRAL MIKE MULLEN:

Good morning. Governor Christ, Secretary Gates, Senator Martinez, Congressmen and Mrs. Young, other distinguished representatives of our Government and Governor I would like to say that the great state of Florida and this area as well, takes very good care of all our men and women who serve and we greatly appreciate all you do to support that.

This is truly a great day, certainly for the Petraeus and Dempsey families, but more importantly for our nation. Secretary Gates you honor us with your leadership and your service. You’ve made such a difference for all of us who serve, and indeed all Americans, and we are grateful. Our Commander in Chief once called you a strategic thinker, a man of integrity with candor and sound judgment. To this I would add humbly a mentor and a friend.

Speaking of friends, the United States Military Academy class of 1974 is with us today. What a proud day (applause) that was a little slow, but I understand it was a good party last night. What a proud day, two classmates, two combatant commanders on the same stage making history I have a feeling that Annapolis ’68 was a little more surprised about me than West Point ’74 is about these two. And I know you’re getting ready for the big game tomorrow against Air Force. I was just asked, since I’m going, which team I would root for. I’m rooting for everyone one half at a time (laughter).

Before I came up here someone slipped me a page from your ’74 West Point yearbook, the Howitzer. And Marty, there’s this great description of you. It read: “hidden beneath the splendor of his five stripes lies the aura of a true Irishman, first to the party and last to leave, Demp’s athletic prowess, keen wit and concealed diplomatic approach are unmatchable.” Well Marty, 34-years later that approach is still working wonders. And as for the party, well it’s Halloween and that’s up to you and Deanie later on.

The Secretary mentioned Deanie’s incredible devotion to this team and to the Tampa community and their three children who all chose to serve in the Army. What an example of service to our nation. And Marty and Deanie have agreed to continue to serve and we’re blessed.

Not many officers are confirmed twice for four star rank. And Marty has certainly earned that double vote of confidence. Because here at CENTCOM, Marty truly made the words Acting Commander a contradiction in terms, for there was nothing acting about the way Marty has exercised the full spectrum of command throughout his entire area of responsibility. Nothing acting about the way he orchestrated two wars at a critical time in our nation’s history. Nothing acting about the way he coordinated with fellow combatant commanders while managing the transitions of new international and interagency teams in Afghanistan and AFRICOM and finally there was nothing acting about the way he led and taught and challenged this great staff.

A player, coach in every respect. Marty and Deanie didn’t just understand partnership, they personified it at every level from coalition partners to local communities, working with ambassadors, generals, and royalty. They exemplified Kipling’s verse, “if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch.” And they have seen their share of surprises. Marty was the obvious choice to serve as deputy for my good friend Fox Fallon and Marty was exactly the right leader to command when Fox retired.

This reminds me of a story how another Navy officer who currently works for Marty recently happened to schedule a meeting at the White House for Secretary Gates and myself unbeknownced to either one of us.

It was a very high level meeting I might add that wasn’t expected and I found out about it right in front of Marty and a few others. The expression on my face must have revealed a lot, Marty took one look at me and without missing a beat he whipped, “Sir, I’ve had trouble keeping my Sailors in check during this tour.” (laughter) Well Marty, the next stop for you might be all Army green, but let me tell you TRADOC’s true impact for our nation comes in only three colors: red, white and blue.

The future of our Army will soon be shaped by your intellect, your leadership, the experiences of coalition partnership and operational commands that you will share in your capacity to adapt and change in an uncertain world. Marty, the future of our national security is depending on it. Debra and I want to join your teammates at CENTCOM in thanking you and Deanie for a job well done and for the work you are about to continue in the service of our nation (applause).

And now to Dave and Holly Petraeus, little introduction here is necessary but many thanks and well wishes are in store. Just over 40-days have passed since we last stood together under the Baroque ceilings of the Al Faw palace in Baghdad, yet even those few days and weeks have seen much in battlefields and poppy fields, on trading room floors and within boardroom doors.

The winds are shifting about us once again, but in all this the value of leadership never changes and it’s no secret we’ve learned a lot from David Petraeus. His watch words “learn” and “adapt” have echoed from the streets of Baghdad to the halls of Washington. Dave, Marty and many others have fired the minds of generations to understand the true purpose of power as a force for good to listen in order to understand, to treat all cultures as equals with dignity and respect, to admit quickly when we are wrong and to share risks with those we protect, all in order to build trust, for it is exactly that trust which empowers us to lead.

The progress of peace and the speed of that progress depends on the quality of trust Dave and this command will be able to achieve throughout the broader Middle East and how he will build upon the lessons Marty has brought forward to this very moment. While the challenges of this critical region may not require the same strategies, which forged a fragile peace in Iraq, they will demand the same patience, the same passion, the same dedication you inspired while you were there Dave. It’s now your turn with a new broader aperture and we have great expectations ahead.

In a few minutes, Dave will acknowledge his brides role, just as the Secretary has, and how indispensible Holly will be here at CENTCOM. Tampa, you are in for a treat. What talent and compassion, spirit of service Holly brings to this community and to this command. Debra and I know it’s been a long time since Holly and Dave were able to be home together. You’re family has truly earned it. And you also inherit a world-class staff which richly deserves our thanks. Going back to the summer of 1990, the men and women of CENTCOM having just viewed history from the front row, they own season tickets.

For more than 18-years our nation has leaned upon this team to search for a better peace in a region critical to the security of every nation. Yet, there’s a price to pay for such vigilance and it’s paid by our families as well as those who serve, those who’ve been wounded in particular and those who’ve fought and for our families. Many late nights and empty chairs at the dinner table, and sometimes on holidays and during family reunions, one less hand to hold.

We cannot thank you enough. It doesn’t take ceremonies like this to celebrate the confidence of a grateful nation and our men and women in uniform here in Tampa and throughout the world who choose lives of great sacrifice and along with their families bear heroic burdens and honor us all. Thank you and may God continue to bless America and those who so selflessly serve.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL MARTIN DEMPSEY:

Well on this beautiful day in southern Florida all I can say is, I guess my acting career is over. Mr. Secretary and Chairman, thank you for the very kind words. However, I trust you understand two things about what this command has accomplished in the past seven months.

First, our accomplishments are the result of the hard work of men and women here in Tampa, in Iraq, in Afghanistan and throughout the U.S. central command area of responsibility… 250,000 of them on most days. Far from home, often in harms way, uncomplaining, representing the resolve and the compassion of this great nation. As a nation we are blessed by their service and I have been blessed to be part of their team.

Secondly, our accomplishments are the result of your leadership, your support and your service to the nation. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in a round of applause for these two men who are leading our nation during this challenging and complex time in our history (applause). Distinguished guests, fellow general and flag officers, U.S. Central Command family, thank you for being here today, it honors us greatly.

I want to note one individual and two groups before I talk a little bit about U.S. Central Command. The individual is Jeff Morin, Sergeant Major Jeff Morin, who this is his last military ceremony not only at U.S. Central Command but in his 32-years of military service. He’s the finest senior enlisted leader that I’ve known in my 34-years. He’s been a trusted confidant, a champion for soldiers deployed forward and those here in the headquarters and I just want to take a minute Jeff to tell you thank you personally, to honor you and to allow them to honor you. To honor you Ellen, for what you’ve done for the family members throughout your time and please ladies and gentlemen join me in a round of applause for them (applause).

Thank you for helping me honor Sgt Major Jeff Morin. The two groups, the first group is over here in the tent to my right, there’s two wounded warriors, very good friends of ours, they’re under the care of the doctors of the wonderful, superb staff of the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital here in Tampa. We are very proud to have you here today. They represent about two dozen wounded warriors at any given time that are resident here in the Tampa Bay hospital. The Tampa community is unbelievably supportive of them and we all owe them that support so please join me in a round of applause for our wounded warriors (applause).

As the Chairman mentioned, seated here in the middle of the group are more than 80 classmates and probably 130 accounting spouses and family members of the West Point class of 1974 (hooah)… They’re getting better actually. By the time you get up here they’ll have it down.

As many of you know, Dave and I are classmates and so this is our original band of brothers. I made mention last night of something I’m very proud of, when I go around and visit young soldiers, Sailors, airmen and Marines, who have raised their hand and agreed to defend their country during time of war, they do so knowing they will put themselves in harms way and so did this group because when we raised our hands on the 1st of July 1970 the war in Vietnam was underway and we were taking that oath knowing that at some point we might have to live up to the oath we were about to take. So I’m very proud to be part of the class and very proud of you and very honored that you would be here today so ladies and gentlemen, let’s give them a round of applause (applause).

That’s 38-years ago is almost as long as I’ve known my high school sweetheart Deanie. Although it’s become somewhat of a tradition to wait until the end of the remarks to thank the spouse it occurs to me that Deanie’s role and my time at U.S. Central Command deserves a more prominent position. There’ve only been a few months since 9-11 when Deanie hasn’t had her husband, her son, or her daughter deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. She’s a champion for military families, fantastic representative of the United States, interacting with coalition spouses and a steadfast friend to the spouses and hardworking U.S. CENTCOM staff. She is quite simply the strongest person I know I couldn’t do what I do without her, and even if I could I wouldn’t want to. Thanks, I love you (applause).

Before I say just a few words about CENTCOM I also want to welcome Dave and Holly to CENTCOM. Dave, you probably require less introduction than anyone I know so I’ll simply say thanks to both you and Holly for taking on yet another tough job for your country and I’m very proud to be your classmate and friend and Holly thanks to you in particular for your support, your perseverance and all the great things you’ve done for soldiers, Sailors, airmen and Marines and their families in the United States military. Thank you both (applause).

The U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is simply remarkable. It stretches from Egypt to Kazakhstan. It presents us with challenges that can sometimes seem unsolvable and yet it offers us opportunities that could actually begin to solve many and perhaps even most of the world’s most perplexing problems. It won’t surprise you to know that the region is populated with men and women and their families whose aspirations are not unlike our own. Of course hidden among them are individuals and groups who have declared war on our way of life, and so CENTCOM is a command at war it is also a command committed to promoting peace. We relentlessly pursue our enemies while simultaneously conducting disaster relief training with our coalition and regional partners and protecting the global commons at sea and in the air.

There is always an honest days work to be done in U.S. Central Command. The CENTCOM trademark has come to mean several things to me: teamwork, partnership, sacrifice, and resolve. CENTCOM is a team of teams inside this headquarters with our component commands, with our interagency partners and with the Tampa community. Most of what gets done well in our government gets done through the trust and confidence that comes with strong relationships. I deeply appreciate the team of directors, component commanders, agency representatives and community leaders who pull together to take on the tough tasks and who support us every day.

CENTCOM is also a syndicate of international partnerships with our embedded international staff here in the headquarters, with NATO, with 60 nations represented here in Tampa and with our partner nations in the Arab peninsula in the Levant and in Central Asia. As partners we demonstrate everyday that in matters of security, the whole is truly stronger than the sum of it’s parts. I thank our many partners for their patience their friendship their wise council and their perseverance.

CENTCOM is a command of men and women who understand that there are things in this world like freedom worth the sacrifice necessary to achieve and then preserve them. As Acting Commander of CENTCOM it’s been my privilege to visit the most austere and dangerous outposts on the frontiers of freedom.

Last December, in a visit to Afghanistan, I met Captain Rob McChrystal at combat outpost Melekshay on the Afghan-Pakistan border. He told me about his defense of this mountain pass that the Taliban use as an infiltration route from Pakistan and about the fight that his 20 paratroopers of his outpost had had the night before with 50 or so Taliban. There were several inches of snow on the ground. The troopers were living in sandbag metal containers at 8,000 feet and most of their supplies had to be brought in by helicopter because the road network to the camp had been mined by the Taliban, a tough and important mission being performed superbly by a tough group of soldiers.

Captain McChrystal reminded me that, because they’re a European based unit, their families were in Italy also far from home, a tough mission being supported superbly by a tough group of spouses and their children. These soldiers, their families and tens of thousands of their fellow soldiers, Sailors, airmen and Marines deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan are brave, they are proud, they accept the sacrifices we ask of them and I’ll tell you one other thing, nobody is getting through that mountain pass at combat post Melekshay or through any other outpost where young U.S. Americans stand watch for our freedom.

CENTCOM is a command of men and women with great resolve. Two months ago I landed on the deck of U.S. aircraft carrier Lincoln in the Indian Ocean for a meeting with several senior military leaders. As I walked across the deck I was admiring the precision and the choreography with which the Sailors, the crew chiefs and the pilots were launching these F-18 Super Hornets for combat missions over Afghanistan. At one point I happened to look up on the side of the superstructure of the ship and I saw the ships emblem which happens to be a profile of Abe Lincoln on a large circular disc with the words “shall not perish” across the top. It struck me then as it does now that that phrase, “shall not perish,” is the idea that binds us and that stiffens our resolve. To paraphrase Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, we here are highly resolved that this nation and this government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not perish from this earth, words to live by at U.S. Central Command. Thank you all very much.

GENERAL DAVID H. PETRAEUS:

Good morning distinguished guests, family, friends and get ready… and of course the 84 members of the mighty U.S. military academy class of ’74, hooah (hooah). Could you all please just stand up back there and let everybody see you (applause). That, ladies and gentlemen is the class that called itself the pride of the corps and I know that Marty and I are very proud to see all of them here today.

Mr. Secretary, Chairman, thank you so much for honoring us here this morning. Thank you for your kind words. I begin my remarks this morning with a keen awareness that the incoming commander in a change of command ceremony, especially when there are four speakers, is all that stands between the audience and the reception buffet. He is thus wise to recall the old admonition about being bright, brief and gone and I’ll attempt at least a bit of that.

The Secretary the Chairman and General Dempsey have noted the accomplishments of this command in recent years and the challenges that lie ahead. Indeed from transnational extremist organizations and industrial strength insurgencies to weapons proliferation, a rise in piracy and persistent ethno-sectarian conflict, the CENTCOM area contains innumerable challenges.

As we have all seen in recent years, addressing these challenges requires comprehensive approaches that employ the whole of our government’s capabilities in close coordination of host country and coalition governments and security forces. This is necessary, not just to resolve pressing short term issues, but to address over time the underlying conditions that give rise to such serious security challenges. So the way ahead will be difficult. However, CENTCOM’s tasks are of enormous importance to our country, to the CENTCOM region and to the world. It’s clear that in the months and years ahead, a great deal of responsibility will continue to rest on the shoulders of the wonderful men and women of the coalition countries serving in harms way in the Central Command area of responsibility and it is an honor to serve with them again.

While acknowledging the challenges that make the rucksacks carried by those in the CENTCOM area among the heaviest in our military and foreign service ranks, it’s also appropriate for an incoming commander to use this opportunity to express thanks and gratitude. So this morning I want to say thanks to our Chairman, our Secretary and to the Commander in Chief for the privilege of continuing to serve with our men and women in uniform in an area that includes missions of such importance.

Teddy Roosevelt once observed that far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. This position certainly fits that description. Thanks to Marty Dempsey, deservedly soon to be four star Marty Dempsey, a long time friend, West Point classmate and fellow commander in combat. In fact Marty, I was just thinking that since 2003 we served as fellow division commanders in combat, you replaced me as the Multi-National Security Transition Commander. Then you worked for me when I took over at MNF-I, and then I worked for you when you took over CENTCOM. Marty has, as you have heard, done absolutely great work at the helm of CENTCOM over the past seven months and we’re all grateful to him for the tremendous vision and leadership he has provided, and also on a personal note, for helping ensure what has been a very smooth transition.

Thanks to all those who have traveled here from a variety of places where my family and I have been assigned and where we have made friendships that have endured through many moves and many deployments. Indeed these individuals include former bosses and key mentors of mine. They include America’s finest platoon mom, a number of troop battlefield heroes, some of our military’s finest supporters and civilian aides to the Secretary of the Army, my long time wing man the command Sgt Major of MNF-I and many, many others who have led and served our soldiers and families so admirably. It is great to have them share this moment with us.

Thanks to the members of the West Point class of ’74 whose motto, “pride of the corps” was adopted, as you heard well over 35-years ago and are here this morning to support Marty Dempsey and me and by extension our troopers downrange. It’s occasionally said at West Point that behind every successful man is a bunch of surprised classmates (laughter). And indeed despite the kind words said here today, back in 1974 if a member of our class had ventured to predict that Marty and I would be here today he’d been told to go sit under a tree until that outlandish thought passed. But here we are, and here are over 10 percent of our classmates to verify that news accounts of Dempsey and Petraeus are reasonably accurate. In truth, the members of our class are here because we are all part of a band of brothers forged through shared experience and sustained by a continued embrace of the values, traditions and goals of our Alma-Mater and it is great to have them with us. Thanks again classmates.

Thanks to my family and especially to my wife Holly who has been father as well as mother for nearly five of the last seven years. Who has been the first lady of two of our armies important posts, who’s established a non-profit organization program to alert our military men and women to financial pitfalls and who has been the greatest source of support, wise council and love that any soldier could have. Holly and our children have, as have numerous other families since 9-11, endured lengthy separations while their soldier was deployed downrange and they, like our other families, have hung tough through the deployments in admirable fashion. Thanks Holly.

Finally and as always our most important thanks go to our soldiers, Sailors, airmen, Marines, coast guardsmen and defense department civilians serving around the world. Well over a quarter million of them are performing missions on land, at sea and in the air of the Central Command area. They are part of the most experienced, best equipped and most professional military to serve our nation and we can and should all be very proud of them.

In closing again there can be no higher privilege for any soldier than being allowed to serve once more with such wonderful Americans and to work hard at work worth doing. Thank you very much.