Promotion and Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony for Major General Scott McKean Hosted by General John M. Murray at Camp Mabry Museum, Austin, Texas.
Transcript
Good morning, and welcome to the Promotion Ceremony in honor of Major General Scott McKean, followed by his Assumption of Responsibility as Deputy Commanding General Army Futures Command and Director of Futures and Concepts Center. The host for today is General John M. Murray, Commanding General Army Futures Command. At this time, we’d like to pay special attention to our distinguished guests attending today’s ceremony; General Murray’s wife, Jane, General J. D. Thurman, U.S. Army Retired, and his wife, Dee, and Army General Vincent Brooks, U.S. Army Retired. We would also like to recognize the members of the McKean family in attendance today. General McKean’s wife, Kim, his son, Jared, his daughter, Shelby, and grandchildren, Jameson and Brewer, General McKean’s mother, Anna, and his brother, Steve, and Mrs. McKean’s parents, Ken and Carol Welch, who are attending virtually. We also welcome the soldiers Department of the Army Civilians, and contractor teammates, attending today’s ceremony virtually. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to honor General McKean and his family. The official party for today’s ceremony consists of General John M. Murray, Commanding General Army Futures Command, and Major General Scott McKean, Incoming Deputy Commanding General Army Futures Command, and Director of the Futures and Concepts Center. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the arrival of the official party, the playing of the National Anthem, and the invocation by Chaplain Maury Millican, Command Chaplain of the 75th Innovation Command. (“The National Anthem”)
Join me in prayer. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Lord, you are good, and we thank you for all your blessings. We invite your presence here with us today to lift our hearts and strengthen our resolve to serve the nation. I recommend to you today, your servant, Scott McKean. Keep your hand upon him, and grant him wisdom, as he discharges his duties at Army Futures Command. Bless his wife, Kim, and their family, with love, and peace, and mutual support for one another. Inspire all of us today with your love, to truly care for one another, and strengthen the Army family. God bless the United States. God bless the Army, and God bless Army Futures Command.
Amen.
Amen.
Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, General Murray.
You guys always fool me with that. I just sat down. So first of all, welcome everybody, and what a great turnout for the McKean family, Jim, just back off of a week of golf, welcome back. It’s time to go to work. Sergeant Major Crosby, and Miles, Steph’s here someplace. So great turnout, not only live today, but virtual attendance as well. And it is a great day for AFC, and we’re gonna promote, and my main job at the beginning of this is to introduced the the person that’s gonna promote Scott, but you know, people said, the only thing worse than to having one DCG, is having three DCGs. (audience laughing) So Scott will become the third DCG to AFC. So I have been very fortunate, and Scott and I were talking about this on the way in, in terms of the quality of the people that have joined Army Futures Command, not only here in Austin, but at all the locations, and Scott’s just another example of that. General Thurman and Gerald Brooks both know me. It’s a good thing that we’ve hired some good people at AFC. So, you know, we’re gonna do the promotion first, and then I’m gonna come back up here, and we’re going to talk a little bit about FCC, and Scott’s role in that, in terms of where FCC’s gonna go. But my main purpose today is to introduce General J. D. Thurman. And I’ve known General Thurman from a little while, primarily from our days at Fort Hood, and most of you know General Thurman, 38 years of service, and I surpassed you, sir, this last September. (audience laughing) And most people aren’t old enough here to remember that you used to have, at least back then, two branches. So, started off as an armor officer, and went to flight school. Eventually I think ended up qualifying in the Apache, before primarily became a maneuver guy at about the battalion command time, I think. It’s pretty much single tracked. Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Fifth Corps, FORSCOM Commander, USFK Commander, 4th ID Commander, Spartan Brigade Commander, which is near and dear to my heart. General Thurman probably won’t remember this, but in 2005, I think you were probably, I was just back from Iraq, and this is back in the days when First CAB and 4ID were flip flopping in Baghdad. I think you were probably about three or four months out from deploying to Iraq, and I was the newly appointed Chief of Staff at III Corps, and General Thurman was my first visitor as the III Corps Chief of Staff. And General Thurman’s sole purpose was to make sure I understood there were two divisions on Fort Hood. (audience laughing) So, after about a half hour of Curt Potts and General Thurman reminding me that there was another division on the east side of Hood Avenue, or Hood Road, I guess, now TJ Mills Boulevard, it was very clear in my mind. And then he went on take 4th ID to Baghdad for a rotation, in ’05, ’06, which was a really rough year in Baghdad, and then I think I saw you again, we came in with General ODA, N4 ID came in to replace you, but just a outstanding career, significant contributions to Army over a number of years. And so, sir, we’re honored to have you with us today, and General Brooks honored to have you with us today. And sir, if you’d please come up and take the honors.
I’m gonna go ahead, if you’ll excuse me, and get out of Mach 4 here, so you can hear me. Well, it’s a great day to be here, General Murray, thank you, thank you, and Jane, for all you’re doing for the United States Army. You know, the majority of the people in here are Dee and I’s family, it’s the Army, and that’s what’s special when you retire, you know, and you look back and say, what’s the best thing that you ever got to do? And that’s be around great people. And I really mean this, and I was remarking to General Murray, it’s so good to see all the 4th Infantry Division folks, steadfast and loyal. This is a great day for a great soldier, and the United States Army. It’s an honor to be asked by General McKean to participate in his promotion ceremony to Lieutenant General. Wow, Lieutenant General. I first met him when he was a Captain. I want to welcome Scott’s family, his wife, Kim, their daughter, Shelby, and those two wonderful grandchildren, son, Jared, who’s going to University of Alabama, Roll Tide. You better watch out for Clemson. (audience laughing) Scott’s mother, Miss Anna McKean. Ma’am it’s so good to see you again, and his brother, Steve McKean, that’s here, Kim’s folks that are on the virtual live stream here. It’s great to have all of you here, and I know you’re immensely proud of Scott. I must recognize Kim, who’s been a great mom, and a tremendous supporter for Scott for over 27 years. She’s been a true supporter of soldiers and their families. Kim has a big heart. She’s always been there in peace and war, to help take care of families, Army families. And Kim, thanks so much for your love, and support, and all that you’ve done for the family, ’cause Scott’s been one of these guys who’ve been deployed. When you look at his record, and I’ll talk a little bit about that here in a minute, he’s spent a lot of time in the Middle East. I think he could probably run for Mayor of Baghdad, probably. (audience laughing) But Kim, again, thanks for your love and support for families, and we can never thank you enough for all you’ve done. Folks, this is a well-deserved promotion for a great general officer and a true soldier. General McKean was commissioned as a armor officer in 1990, from United States Military Academy. I first met Captain Scott McKean at Fort Stewart, Georgia in 1996. I was the Brigade Commander of the 2nd Brigade, Spartan Brigade at Fort Stewart. Scott had just gotten assigned to Fort Hood, when I met his wife, Kim, and I’ll talk a little bit about that in a minute. Scott was returning from the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea, katchi kapshida. As a matter of fact, Scott showed up, and we’re getting ready to go to the National Training Center. As you can imagine, we were quite busy. So Scott immediately went to work, and we were doing a lot of field training back then, and I remember meeting Kim and daughter Shelby as they came into Brigade Headquarters. And the first person Kim ran into, was me. I had dropped back into Fort Stewart to go to a meeting, at Division Headquarters, and Kim was wanting to know where her husband was. He had told her he would return at two o’clock. What he didn’t tell her, it was two o’clock in the morning. (audience laughing) And so I met Kim and Shelby. So I called Scott, and I said, “Hey, you better get home. You got duties to tend to, I just met your wife.” And so that’s how I really met Kim. As you can imagine, I’m enormously proud of Scott. This is the fourth time I’ve had the opportunity to promote him. I promoted him to Lieutenant Colonel. I went up to the Navy War College and promoted him to Colonel, and I had the opportunity to go out to El Paso First Armor Division, and promote him to Brigadier General, and now Lieutenant General. So you can imagine how proud this old soldier is to be standing with your family again, and for Dee and I to get to come down and be part of this. It means a lot to us personally. Scott McKean is a soldier’s soldier. I have watched him in peace and war. He has commanded at every level from platoon to division command. Scott has been deployed multiple times and has not been home much. His deployment history includes Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, and one of his Sergeant Majors is sitting in the back, Command Sergeant Major Barnett. During OIF 1, he served, as I said, with 1st Battalion, 67th Armor. As a matter of fact, his battalion commander was the current Vice, General Joe Martin. He was Deputy G3, 4th ID in Baghdad for OIF 5-7. He came back to battalion command, 1st Battalion 66th Armor, the Iron Knights in Baghdad for OIF ’08, ’09. He deployed to Iraq again as the 4th Brigade 1st Armored Division in 2011, as part of Operation New Dawn, and then following brigade command General McKean served as the XO to the Commanding General, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, katchi kapshida again. (audience laughing) We had fun. And then he came back to serve as Deputy Commanding General Operations., 1st Armor Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, and Director CENTCOM Forward in Jordan. He then served as a 49th Chief of Armor at Fort Benning. He served as the Chief of Office of Security Cooperation, Iraq, and commanded the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division July, 2017 to July, 2019. From August, 2019 to October, 2020 General McKean just finished serving as Chief of Staff United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, General McKean is a common sense, mission-oriented leader, who can take unsolvable problems and produce excellent results. I’ve seen that firsthand. He has impeccable character, and builds trust in winning teams rapidly. He is calm and unflappable in any crisis. I have personally observed that numerous times. The Army has made a great choice to put him at Future’s command, to help General Murray and his great team, as they lead to modernization in future war fighting efforts for the United States Army. There is no doubt in my mind that he will make a difference, and he’ll do that every day. From the moment he pins those three stars on, and takes command today, he will make a difference for this great team. Scott, thanks again for giving me the opportunity to stand in your formation again. It means a lot, and this is a well-deserved promotion. And now ladies and gentlemen, I think it’s time to make him a Lieutenant General, and General McKean, I would ask you and your family to please come forward. Thank you very much. (audience clapping)
Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated for the promotion ceremony. Attention to orders. The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in the patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence of Major General Dennis Scott McKean. In view of these qualities, and his demonstrated potential for increased responsibility, he is therefore promoted in the United States Army to the rank of Lieutenant General, effective the 2nd day of November, 2020. By order of the President of the United States, signed, the Honorable Ryan D. McCarthy, Secretary of the Army.
[Man] On this side, and help to take that off. There you go. (faintly speaking) All right, that’s good. (faintly speaking)
[Scott] I knew that was gonna happen. (everyone laughing) (faintly speaking) I was practicing in my (mumbles) (everyone laughing) (baby fussing) (everyone clapping)
Thank you General McKean, and General Thurman, and family. The Army has incorporated the use of flags to signify the presence of a General Officer, Command Sergeant Major Paul Biggs, Command Sergeant Major Futures and Concept Center will assist Lieutenant General with uncasing, and unfurling his 3 Star Flag. The Army 3 Star Flag is scarlet, with three white five pointed stars, indicating a Lieutenant General. The flag will be present at all official functions and will be visibly displayed in General McKean’s office. (audience clapping)
Ladies and gentlemen, please stand, as honors are rendered to Lieutenant General McKean. (“Four ruffles and Flourishes, General’s March”) Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, General Murray will now administer the Oath of Office. And before we do this, so most people, and this has kind of become a tradition, because you only really have to do the Oath of Office once, and this is slightly modified, but the same Oath of Office that Scott took when he was Commissioned in the Army from West point. I just over the course of the last 30 years or so, have taken the opportunity, and part of the deal is if you want me to be part of, in this case, I didn’t promote you. If you want to be part of your promotion ceremony, you’re gonna reconfirm your Oath of Office. And the thing that’s unique about this Oath of Office, is that it’s not swearing allegiance to a country. It’s not swearing allegiance to a dictator, or a leader. It’s swearing allegiance to an ideal, and it’s swearing allegiance to the ideals that are contained in the Constitution of United States of America. So it makes it a unique Oath of Office, throughout the entire world. I don’t think there’s any other military in the world, that swears and oath to an ideal, and the ideals are really contained in the first opening phrases of the Constitution of the United States of America. So we’re gonna do the Oath of Office. Would you please raise your right hand, and state your full name.
I, Dennis Scott McKean.
Do solemnly swear.
Do solemnly swear.
I’m sorry, let me start you over. I, state your full name.
I, Dennis Scott McKean.
Having been appointed an officer.
Having been appointed an officer.
Of the United States Army.
Of the United States Army.
In the grade of Lieutenant General.
In the grade of Lieutenant General.
Do solemnly swear.
Do solemnly swear.
That I will support and defend.
That I will support and defend.
The Constitution of the United States.
The Constitution of the United States.
Against all enemies.
Against all enemies.
Foreign and domestic.
Foreign and domestic.
That I will bear true faith.
That I will bear true faith.
And allegiance to the same.
And allegiance to the same.
That I take this obligation freely.
I take this obligation freely.
Without any mental reservation.
Without any mental reservation.
Or purpose of evasion.
Or purpose of evasion.
That I will well and faithfully.
That I will well and faithfully.
Discharge the duties.
Discharge the duties.
Of the office.
Of the office.
On which I am about to enter.
On which I am about to enter.
So help me God.
So help me God.
Congratulations. (audience clapping) Okay, so that was the prerequisite, and this part of the ceremony is the Assumption as the Director of Futures and Concept Center, and it’s been a long time coming. We’ve been in, and probably nobody happier in the room than Miles Brown. (audience laughing) That has been kind of filling in for Scott for the last, what Miles, three months, five months, time flies. And we’re in the middle of just like Army Futures Command. I mean, we’re only 22 months old now, but really remain in a state of flux, and so previously Eric Wesley was the Director of FCC, formerly known as ARCIC, and was stationed at Fort Eustis. And so we moved the key people from Futures and Concept Center to Austin, to link them in closer to the headquarters. So Steph back in the back, was one of the first key leaders to arrive as the Director of Concepts, and we’ve been waiting on Scott for five months, and Miles is celebrating, as I said. The thing that makes this most interesting to me is there is no place in the Army that truly thinks about the future, except Army Futures Command, and your time in the building, the Future’s about 24-hours out, solving today’s problems. And that’s the one thing that I think was key to moving, ’cause there was a lot of people thought Army Futures Command should have stayed within the National Capitol Region, but the ability to begin to think further into the future than next week or next month, or the six week training lock-in, is really, what’s good about having Army Futures Command here in Austin. And Scott’s got a couple of things that we’re gonna talk about tomorrow. Jim Richardson has been running a little thing called Project Convergence, which most of you have probably read about. It was our most recent exercise in Yuma proving ground, where we proved out that three, if not more key technologies, will fundamentally change the way we fight in the future. That’s on Scott’s list of things to do, is figure out how we will have to change the way we fight in the future. He will also fundamentally change how we organize in the future. That’s on Scott’s list of things to do. And then the year of ’21, we’ll go back to Yuma again this fall. this coming fall will be a year of transition between Jim Richardson having lead for Project Convergence, and then Scott taking a full lead for FY-22. The concept work that that Steph Ahern is working on will be part of Scott’s, and so I think it probably won’t be as busy as the CENTCOM Chief of Staff. She should have some time to step back and think about, you know, how the Army will, the tools we use, how we’ll fight differently, how we’ll organize differently into the future. And I think it’s really key, because a General McConville was very fond of saying, we modernize about once every 40 years. So in the 1940s, we modernized for World War II. You see some of the vehicles out there on the display. The late ’70s, early 80s, we went through air land battle in terms of doctrine with some great leaders leading that way. The Big Five, which we’re still using today, and that was the ’80s when we began fielding that, and here we are in 20, almost 2021 and so that’s the 40-year mark. And we’ve been very fortunate over the last four years to have the funding to do that, which is probably gonna change, regardless of what happens tomorrow. And so we’ve got to take this opportunity, ’cause we don’t take this opportunity to fundamentally look at those three key areas, there won’t be another opportunity. So big, big task on your shoulders, and there’s nobody more qualified to do the job of really leading the Army into the future. And you’ve got two, I’ve got eight grandkids. I tell people all the time, this is not about you and I, this is not about J. D. and Vince, this is about those two young ones sitting over there, because you know, the military has become a family business. I’m absolutely convinced I’ll have a couple grandkids in the Army, and this is about their ability to defend this great nation in the future. And we have got to get this right, and you’re absolutely the right person to come in and get this right. And I understand about 20 years ago, you spent some time writing doctrine, so that’s good too. (everyone laughing) And then Miles will carry on at Fort Eustis, because FCC is not only the concepts, and the organizational structure, it’s also the material requirements, that go along with that. Miles has got that well under hand, which should allow you to focus, really at the subordinate organization, the CDIDs, is to make sure that we’re bringing them along, as well, towards this future. So Scott, I’ve got all the confidence in the world. Kim, welcome. It he comes home talking about lasers and artificial intelligence. You’ll learn more about artificial intelligence, (laughs) but absolutely the right team, and we’re just thrilled to have you, and ready to get you to work. So welcome, all right. There’s no one casing for this, that’s it, right? Where’s the narrator? Am I good? (everyone laughing) All right. (audience clapping)
Thank you sir. Thank you General Murray. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce Lieutenant General Scott McKean. (audience clapping)
Now if I can find my speech here. Here we go. Before I start, I think, especially since we’re in Texas here, it’d be right to recognize the ladies of the family here, who’ve really kept me straight all these years. So if I could. (audience clapping) Never want to mess that up. Get it done early, right. (audience laughing) Now on behalf of our family though, we would like to thank Linda, and the Executive Service Office team, and all of the AFC team, that really helped us transition here, and make this ceremony happen on, you know, somewhat quick notice here, and make it a very special day for us. So Linda and team, thank you so much. And to our one man band up here, Matt Pratt, who is serving as aid, narrator, MC, musician. Thanks Matt for getting this all squared away. General Mrs. Murray, General Mrs. Thurman, General Brooks, Command Sergeant Major Crosby, Command Sergeant Major Biggs, general officers, distinguished leaders, friends, families, and to my proud and mighty classmates, we are honored and humbled by this promotion, and assumption of responsibility. Kim and I are excited for the opportunity to continue our service to the Army and its families. General Murray, thank you for your confidence, to serve as one of your Deputy Commanding Generals, and Director of FCC. I look forward to joining the great climate you’ve established here, and hope to continue your drive on innovation and progress. General Thurman, as always, you and Miss Dee, you’ve been the example of what’s good and right about our Army and its traditions. We are thankful that you could be here to promote me again, and I will always continue to strive to meet the highest standards you have always led by. General Brooks, thank you for your leadership. During some very tense times on the Peninsula, General Brooks always found the time to come forward, even without an ambassador. So he’s holding two roles at the time, come forward and visit the frontline troops, and they were always very appreciative of your leadership. And I’d personally would like to thank you for your coaching and mentoring. I’d like to spend a minute to thank some of the folks who help make this day possible and special. My career has been molded by the NCO Corps, beginning with the 3rd of the 73rd Armor Battalion that produced some of our most senior NCOs in the Army. Names like Ganey, Troxell, Regan, and Freeman. Today, I have the pleasure of having three retired Sergeants Major that I first went to combat with. Command Sergeant Major Barnett, Hale, and Rojas, all setting the example of how to lead in the most difficult of situations. Also, my wing man, as both my Battalion and Division, Command Sergeant Major Eddie Mitchell. He’s here as he’s always been for me and my family. Mitch just retired two weeks ago, and we’re indebted to his 35 years of service to the nation. I want to also offer my thanks to Command Sergeant Major Phil Marlene Barretto, who serves in my Division. Command Sergeant Major is now serving Lieutenant General Laura Richardson up at Army North. You can only get so far with your own talent, but it’s our NCOs, who help make you the leader we need us to be. I’m very glad to have my high school classmates here, truly men for others. Mike Gamma, and Will Lafrica, and their wives, Mike and Anne traveled to Korea for our Division change of command. If that kind of tells you how blessed we are to have friends that stay with us. And I know out there in cyberspace, Ignacio, Jeff, and Dan, and the other Bellarmine folks, Pat Arnold, are all watching it, and we’re very thankful for you. I’d also like to offer a special thanks to the Morris family. John and Heather have been with us for the last 20 years, starting at the Death Dealer back in 1-67, and it’s been a pleasure watching them, and their girls grow in our Army family. When it comes to thanks, I really have to say I’ve been blessed by my mom and dad, who came to this country, and made a life that provided their kids the opportunities that we’ve had. My mom retired this year after working for 48 years at the same company. They still want her to continue working. I don’t understand, it’s simply amazing. My brother, Steve, is my personal hero. He served as an ATF Agent for over 25 years, in some of the most dangerous areas in South Florida, putting his life on the line here in the Homeland, to take care of all of us. But at my side, for the last 27 years, my beautiful wife, Kim, has sacrificed like so many Army spouses, and there’s no more real reason of why I’m standing here, than her love and her support. I’m truly a lucky man. Our kids, Shelby and Jared, have been part of this journey throughout, and have always made the sacrifices to make our family stronger. Your mom and I are very proud of you. Of course, having our grandkids here, Jameson and Brewer, for those in cyberspace, that’s not piped in sound for the football game, that’s the grandkids. It makes it extra special having ’em here. Our son-in-law Kyle, is a Drill Sergeant in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. It’s grad week. He’s out there with the troops, where you should be, taking care of that next generation to make sure they’re ready to go. To the FCC team, we want to thank Brigadier General Miles Brown, Command Sergeant Major Biggs for their warm reception, getting us settled. Miles, you had motivation to do that, to get us done. But, as we joined the FCC Team, I’m very excited for the opportunity to help transform our Army. There’s a lot of work to be done, and many challenges to navigate, as we balance the needs for readiness, with modernization and transformation. As we saw in the exceptional Project Convergence demonstration, the Army’s not stovepiping efforts. Rather, we are working joint and combined initiatives. What I want to do is increase our experimentation velocity, get more repetitions, by tying into existing exercises and events. AI, robotics, autonomous systems, are all available now. When we get these technologies in our soldiers hands, so they become invested in the process of development. We just can’t build things though. Our people are also part of this journey, and they must be on board from the beginning. The FCC team, both here and at Fort Eustis have established a great foundation, and I hope to provide the leadership and drive to continue its progress for the Army. So it’s time to get to work. We want to thank everyone who made it here physically, in Austin, braving the COVID riggers, and also all those who are sharing their well-wishes in cyberspace. We’re thankful to all. Bring the hammer. (audience clapping)
Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the playing of the Army Song. The words can be found on the back of your program. ‚ô™ March along, sing our song ‚ô™ ‚ô™ With the Army of the free ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Count the brave, count the true ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Who have fought to victory ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We’re the Army and proud of our name ‚ô™ ‚ô™ We’re the Army and proudly proclaim ‚ô™ ‚ô™ First to fight for the right ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And to build the Nation’s might ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And the Army goes rolling along ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Proud of all we have done ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Fighting till the battle’s won ‚ô™ ‚ô™ And the Army goes rolling along ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Then it’s hi, hi, hey ‚ô™ ‚ô™ The Army’s on its way ‚ô™ ‚ô™ Count off the cadence loud and strong ‚ô™ ‚ô™ For where’er we go ‚ô™ ‚ô™ You will always know ‚ô™ ‚ô™ That the Army goes rolling along ‚ô™ Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the ceremony. Please remain in place for the departure of the official party. (people chattering) To ensure the safety of our guests, there will not be a receiving line, but General McKean and his family invite you to join them for a socially distanced reception in the museum. (everyone laughing) Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy days, to attend this memorable occasion. Look forward to the future.