Keynote Speech at National Defense University’s 2019 Graduation

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The 2019 National Defense University (NDU) graduation ceremony will be held outside on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 10:00 a.m., in front of historic Roosevelt Hall at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. The University’s four D.C.-based colleges expect to confer certificates and Masters degrees on approximately 648 students.

Transcript

[Announcer] Please stand for the arrival of the official party. Honors to General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., United States Marine Corps, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presentation of the colors, the playing of the national anthem, the retirement of the colors, and the invocation. (military music) (upbeat music)

[Leader] Order, halt. Halt, present arms. (drum roll) (“The Star-Spangled Banner”) Halt, right shoulder, halt. Halt, forward, halt.

[Announcer] The invocation will now be delivered by Chaplain Williams.

[Williams] This is a fabulous day of celebration and relief. It’s only right for us to thank God and praise him for what he’s done for you the student graduates and your families. So whatever your tradition I invite you to thank God as I lead us in this prayer. I’m reminded of the words of General MacArthur who said, “The soldier above all others prays for peace, “for it is the soldier who must suffer “and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” So please join with me in prayer. Almighty God, gracious and merciful, commander of heaven and earth, who rigidly executes your strategy for peace and security for the world you created to thrive. You work for a secure and impenetrable fortress for us. You are the source of wisdom. You are the provider of all we need for life, love, and joy. We know you are a god who loves diversity and who seeks for all your creation to live in peace and harmony. I’m grateful today for the stewardship of knowledge, wisdom, experience of the leaders, staff, and faculty of NDU as they prepared these students for the challenges of strategic leadership by their personal example and by stimulating instruction. I ask you to grant them grace and strength as they prepare for the upcoming year. But most importantly, God, I am grateful for these students, for these graduates, for their growth and development as leaders and as strategists. I trust that what they have learned will prepare them for planning and conducting operations and for developing and executing strategy and policy that will create a safe and secure world, respecting human rights and civil liberties, that they will practice ethical leadership as exemplary moral agents and by incorporating ethical considerations in strategy and policy and by influencing others to be ethical, and that they will engage critical thinking in complex conflicts, developing creative solutions and using imagination when the rules and the status quo produce unethical or unjust conflict reasons. May this ceremony be a celebration of their achievement and a commissioning of renewed service to our respective nations and to the collective cause of peace. God bless this day and these graduates, amen.

[Announcer] Please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, the 16th President of the National Defense University, Vice Admiral Frederick J. Roegge. (audience applauds)

[Roegge] Thank you, Provost. Obviously, here we are in the middle of June, which means that we just recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasions of D-Day in Normandy. I’ve mentioned that because of course one of the critical factors in those decisions had to do with weather. General Eisenhower was noted as observing that the primary source of victory was that the Allied side had the best meteorologists. I’d like to offer that today we apparently benefit from both the best meteorologists and the best chaplains. So thank you very much, Chaplain, for your intercession. Chairman Dunford, generals and admirals, members of the Senior Executive Service, ambassadors, diplomats, and attaches, interagency leaders, NDU students, staff, faculty, distinguished guests, family and friends, ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome. Thank you for joining us as we honor the National Defense University graduates of the class of 2019. (audience cheers) General Dunford, we have been practicing spontaneous eruptions of applause all year. I want you to know that they have passed. Anyway, regardless of the weather conditions, I know that for each of our graduates, today is a beautiful day. Now at this time of year, there are graduation ceremonies taking place at universities across America and around the world, and it might be tempting to think of this ceremony as just like any other. But there is one key difference I want to emphasize. The graduates of other universities will venture forth with a primary goal of finding a job. That’s not a problem for any one of you (chuckles). In fact, it appears that every one of you already has a boss. I know this because they have been calling every day this month to politely but urgently inquire how soon can you report, and that is because the graduates of this university will leave our campus today as leaders who are needed and who are ready to take on the most important national security challenges we face collectively. And so while graduates of other schools will be judged by their contributions to profitability or creating shareholder value, your success will be judged by the metrics of peace and security and stability you can engender and create around the world. Now the members of this class reflect an impressively broad demographic. They come from all branches of the U.S. military, from across the federal government, and from our partners in industry, and from 64 allied and partner nations, ranging alphabetically from Afghanistan to Vietnam. And while I’m confident that every one of you will take away from NDU the benefits of this rigorous academic experience, today I would like to highlight what you have given to us. That broad demographic of our students brings to every classroom discussion of a diversity of perspective that exposes us all to a wider range of views and a wider range of possible solutions, and it provides an increased awareness of the uses of all the instruments of national power, not only the military but also information and economics and diplomacy. So I’m very proud of the rigorous academic programs you’ve all enjoyed, but I think that perhaps an even more important outcome of this year is the professional relationships you’ve developed here. Today, you join a global network of thousands of NDU alumni from 143 countries who are working together on our common security challenges. Even more impressive than the size of this network is the quality of its members. Because we at NDU benefit from students who are the best and brightest rising leaders of your organizations, our graduates have gone on to do great, great things when they return. Hundreds have risen to the top echelon in their field such as the chief of service, a minister or a secretary of defense, an ambassador. And I’m confident that from this year’s class will come many more of those. Your history of accomplishment earned you a place in this class, but I’m confident that your future accomplishments will be even more impressive. But your accomplishments, of course, are not yours alone. I’ll paraphrase an old adage that success has many parents. With that in mind, I would like to call out four groups who have parented your success. You have benefited from a world-class faculty who challenged (coughs), excuse me, who challenged your thinking, from the staff that provided critical support, from the university and college leaders who provided direction, and from the family members who provided support and encouragement at home. So would everyone please join me in expressing our appreciation for these many parents? (audience applauds) Now a special note, after today’s graduation, there are some members of this NDU faculty and staff who will be leaving us. Some are retiring after years, if not, decades of service. Would those departing NDU staff and faculty, military and civilian, please stand and let us recognize and honor your service? (audience applauds) In conclusion, I ask you to remember that your graduation does not mark an end so much as it marks a beginning. In a few minutes, each of you will walk across the stage and into a future as strategic leaders of your organization and of our collective international security community. Throughout the year, in each classroom, you have been more than students. You have been teachers to your classmates, and you’ll now have the obligation to become teachers back home in your parent branch, service, ministry, department, agency, and nation. And keep in mind that our alumni network is only useful, is only powerful if you stay connected to it. So stay connected to your classmates, to your faculty, and to NDU. We all expect great things from each of you. Knowing that you are well-prepared, we look forward to watching your progress and celebrating your success as national security leaders. And if we at NDU have done our job well, then you should now leave us as strategic thinkers who are able to launch the kind of ideas that could preclude the need to launch weapons. And if you do so, then I’m confident that the class of 2019 will go down in NDU history as the greatest class ever. (audience cheers) So it is now my honor to introduce and to welcome to the podium our guest speaker, someone who requires no introduction and who clearly is eminently qualified to deliver our commencement address. As the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he serves as the nation’s highest ranking military officer and its principal military advisor. His biography in your program details his career of service, though what is most important for this crowd to know is that he is a passionate advocate for professional military education, for using education to build partnerships across the government and around the world, and for the National Defense University. NDU takes great pride in being known as the chairman’s university, but today we are even more proud to profess that we are Chairman Dunford’s university. Ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome, please, for the 19th Chairman. (audience applauds)

Thanks for that introduction, Admiral Roegge, and distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and most of all, this year’s graduates, really, I guess the best ever. (audience laughs) Really? You’d expect me to say it, but I really am truly honored to join you on what is a significant day in your careers. And I want to begin as Admiral Roegge did by recognizing some specific groups. First, the international fellows and the U.S. civil servants who are graduating today. You represent 64 countries and 50 agencies across the U.S. government as well as the private sector. My experience tells me that you’ll go back to your countries and your organizations and assume positions of increased responsibility, and I also know that you’ve had a lot to do with the educational experience, the quality of the educational experience here at the National Defense University, and many of you are represented by your ambassadors here in Washington D.C. And I have to tell you I am very glad to see out here so many international students, so many representatives of interagency, so many members of the private sector because I think that’s how we are gonna operate together, that’s how we fight together, and the fact that that’s how we learn together is incredibly powerful to me. I also want to reinforce Admiral Roegge’s thanks to the family members who are with us and particularly the spouses. It’s not lost on me that many of the graduates that are here this morning could have chosen to retire and move on to other endeavors. Instead they chose to continue and enhance their professional career, and by doing so, committed to obligated service. They couldn’t have done that without you, and I just want you to know that your support is recognized and appreciated. And for those that are graduating, I’d ask to you just help me to, for a moment, recognize the family members that are here and the role that they play, not just in the year that we’re here at National Defense University, but the role that they play in the decision that we make to continue to serve. So family members, if you’d stand up and if the class of 2019 would have one of those spontaneous applauses. (audience applauds) Hi. And also want to finally, I want to recognize the faculty and staff from the five colleges that are represented here today. It’s their collective efforts that really make the educational experience here at the National Defense University truly world-class, and so one more time, one of those class of 2019 spontaneous applauses that Admiral Roegge referred to. (audience applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, I’m mindful that commencement ceremonies are not about long speeches, and I know that most of you, and Admiral Roegge alluded to this, most of you are in a hurry to get to your next duty station. Some of you, I’ll talk about that more in a minute. (audience laughs) Some of you have movers coming this afternoon. Others of you are in a hotel, and the more impatient among you are the ones that have your engines running in the parking lot, and I’m starting to get a little bit overwhelmed by the fumes standing up here. But you’re in a hurry to go. How many of you are coming to the Joint Staff? Yeah, you should be in a hurry because we have the Welcome Aboard at 17:00 this evening. (audience laughs) Yes, it’s all about taking care of people, right? (audience laughs) But you’ll be back. But anyway I won’t go on long, but as you prepare for the challenges of your next assignment and more importantly, the years ahead, I want to leave you with a few thoughts about adapting and leading change in the profession of arms. Leading change is something I’ve grappled with and particularly in the latter half of my career, and you’re gonna face that challenge in an incredibly dynamic strategic environment. Some of you may recall that when I came here last year, I spoke about Henry Kissinger and I said that Henry Kissinger said, “This is the most complex and dynamic security environment “since World War II.” I think his point has been reinforced by events that have taken place during this past academic year. Just consider the developments in Venezuela, in the Middle East to include yesterday’s attack in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the one o’clock phone call I received this morning about the two tankers that were hit in the Gulf of Oman, along the India-Pakistan border, in the Sea of Azov, and that uncertainty in global markets of the bilateral trade tensions between the United States and China is added to those events, and then of course the continued challenges in the Korean peninsula, in South Asia, and across Africa. You’re gonna lead change in that context, and the situation is unlikely to become less complicated, unlikely to become less complicated on your watch. You’re also gonna lead in an era with an unprecedented pace of change in our profession and in the character war. And I’ve thought about the challenges that you’ll face quite a bit last week as I attended the events in France, commemorating what Admiral Roegge spoke about a minute ago, the 75th anniversary to landing at Normandy. And the ceremonies appropriately focused on the extraordinary heroism of the troops that crossed the beach on the sixth of June 1944 and the bold leadership of leaders like Eisenhower, Bradley, and Montgomery. But during the trip as I opened a few books and refreshed my memory on World War II, I also reflected on senior leader decision-making throughout the war and the evolution of tactics, operational concepts, and equipment. And I was reminded of the extraordinary human cost of conflict in World War II and throughout the 20th century. And all that highlighted a point I made three years ago to the graduating class of 2016, now the second best class that’s ever graduated from the National Defense University. But in the wars of the last century, there are many examples of leaders who were slow to adapt and failed to recognize what were, at the time, fundamental changes in the character of war. There’s much to be learned from their experience. In World War I, leaders failed to grasp the significance of changes that in retrospect were clearly evident in the Russo-Japanese War more than a decade earlier. New weapons and capabilities were fielded on the eve of World War I, but tactical and doctrinal development lagged, and the price for that delay was high. 10 million in uniform killed during World War I, a figure that is absolutely unfathomable to us today. To some extent, you can say the same about World War II. For example, the German blitzkrieg reflected an appreciation for the potential of armor supported by close air, but the dominant thinking amongst Western armies at the time continued to be that the tank was merely an infantry support weapon. Men like J.F.C. Fuller and Liddell Hart had trouble getting traction with their new ideas, and there’s many other examples of brilliant people with big ideas that were ignored during their time. Frankly, as I look back at the changes that took place during the 19th and the 20th century, most of the changes in our profession took place in the wake of failure. You might think all that’s history and that we’re more adaptive today, but we shouldn’t be too complacent. A number of years ago, I read an article. In the article, the author highlighted the threat posed by homemade bombs to our ground tactical vehicles. He even pointed to a promising solution that had been devised by the South Africans to deal with what we now know as the improvised explosive device. The problem is he wrote that in 1996, and we didn’t accept the value of his thinking until 2006 and, as many of you know personally, not before we paid a very high price in casualties and impact on our effectiveness, operational effectiveness. You probably have, in your own experience, many other examples that would indicate that we shouldn’t be complacent. The price of responding slowly in the 20th century and our recent conflicts was high, but in the past, we had the opportunity to recover if we got it wrong. And that was certainly true in World War II. On 6 June 1944, we launched a combined naval, air, and land assault that remains the largest operation ever undertaken. It turned the tide in the European theater, and it’s really remembered today as one of the great moments in military history. But the invasion of Normandy came three years after our near failure in North Africa, and we had time to adapt and change. Think about it. Three years to evolve our doctrine, three years to expand our industrial capacity, three years to build an army, three years to develop leaders, and three years to develop the interoperability and capabilities that would allow us to be successful on the battlefield. In future conflicts, we’re unlikely to have the same opportunity to recover, and again I say that because the pace of change has greatly accelerated. Let me use what’s happened in my 42 years of active duty to illustrate that point. You know, when I was a lieutenant, I remember using the same cold weather gear my dad had used in Korea 27 years earlier. And I don’t mean the same kind of gear. I mean we went to the warehouse and we pulled out the same jackets, the same gloves, the same boots that had been issued to Marines in 1950. And the radios that we used were uncovered PRC-25s from Vietnam with a three to five mile range in flat terrain. The trucks and the jeeps would have been familiar to veterans from World War II, and frankly, so would the tactics. I have no doubt that a lieutenant who participated in the landing at Normandy would have been very comfortable in a formation with me as a platoon commander in 1977. That’s how little changed between World War II and my commissioning as a lieutenant. But today there are very few things that have not changed since I was a lieutenant. In fact, time and space, communications, fires, and equipment at the company level, they’ve all changed significantly just since 9/11, and similar changes obviously can be seen across the joint force at the operational and strategic level as well as at the tactical level. Today’s trans-regional all-domain challenges are profoundly different than yesterday’s regional conflicts focused on the sea, air, and land domains. And around the corner, we’re gonna be confronted by further challenges driven by developments in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonics, space-based capabilities, not to mention the developments that we can’t even imagine yet. When I look at all this, my conclusion is that tomorrow there’ll be no substitute for leadership that encourages critical thinking. There’ll be no substitutes for leaders that recognize the implications of new ideas, new approaches, and new technologies. And there’ll be no substitute for leaders that take action to affect change. So my first point to you this morning is very simple. It’s don’t leave your intellectual curiosity and openness to new ideas behind when you leave the National Defense University. Don’t be complacent. As leaders, create a culture within your units that encourages innovation and fosters that climate that questions conventional wisdom and encourages creativity. And one other thing I would tell you is don’t assume you have all the answers. I like to tell people that, you know, I go back to 1977. My confidence in my abilities in 1977 and my confidence that I had all the answers was way up here, and my experience was way down here. And I’m standing before you today some 42 years later, and my confidence that I have all the answers is way down here, and arguably my experience is way up here. Leave the National Defense University with a degree of humility. Bring that to your new commands, and be willing to recognize that all the right answers and all the good answers aren’t necessarily the ones that come from you. I’d like to shift gears for a minute and just close by talking about a very important aspect of our business that hasn’t changed, and that’s the fundamental nature of war as a human endeavor. For all the talk of advancements and technology, war remains, as you all know, a clash of wills in an environment characterized by chaos, frog, and friction. And because the fundamental nature of war hasn’t changed, neither have the primary factors that lead to success on the modern battlefield. Aside from an ability to adapt over the past 18 years, I think any tactical successes we’ve had in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan have been because of the endurance, the courage, and the commitment of individual Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and civil servants both in the United States and our coalition partners. It’s been their willingness to go out day after day to do what had to be done that made a difference. And as you all know, that will to fight, that will to put yourself at risk, that willingness to put the needs of your buddy ahead of your own, it can’t be quantified and it comes from intangibles in the human spirit. Field Marshal Montgomery made that point in the spring of 1944, so think about the setting, some months before the landing at Normandy, and I’ll paraphrase Montgomery when he said, “The key to success in battle “is not merely to provide tanks, guns, and other equipment. “Of course, we want good tanks and good guns, “but what really matters is the soldier inside the tank “and the soldier alongside the gun. “It’s the man that counts and not only the machine. “The best tank in the world is useless “unless the crew inside is well-trained “and have stout hearts.” My point is that we do need to adapt to change, but at the end of the day, we’re not gonna be defined solely by hypersonics, artificial intelligence, fifth generation aircraft, space, or cyber capabilities. We’ll need all that to be successful for sure, but the foundation of our success will continue to be men and women who embody our core values, men and women with the will and the courage to endure and prevail, and leaders with the ability to inspire excellence and an unrelenting desire to win. So today, as you drive out the gate of Fort McNair with your diploma in hand, be smart enough and bold enough to recognize the changes that have to be made for us to succeed on future battlefields even as you foster that environment that breathes the intangible qualities that made a difference at Normandy and most assuredly are gonna make a difference tomorrow. Class of 2019, thanks once again for the opportunity to join you here today, but more importantly, thanks for the leadership that you’ll provide to our men and women across the force and across our allies and partners around the world. I have concerns about the current security environment. I have concerns about our ability to adapt and innovate to ensure we maintain a competitive advantage in the future. But the greatest reason why I have confidence in our ability to overcome those challenges, the greatest reason why I believe we’ll be able to work through the security environment I briefly described a few minutes ago, and the reason why I believe we’ll have the intellectual capacity, the energy, and the leadership to make the changes we need to affect to be successful on future battlefields is just looking around the room at the men and women in this room who have the commitment to go forward and affect the leadership necessary to do all of that. So God bless you all and I wish you all the best. (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Thank you, General Dunford. We’ll now begin the conferral of the degrees to the qualified graduates of the class of 2019. I ask that you be considerate and not block the view of others if you wish to take photos. Ladies and gentlemen, the Commandant of the National War College, Brigadier General Chad Manske, United States Air Force. (audience applauds)

[Manske] National War College class of 2019, will you please rise? (audience applauds) Admiral Roegge, I have the honor to present the National War College candidates who have fulfilled the requirements and are duly recommended by the faculty of the National War College for the degree Master of Science in National Security Strategy.

[Roegge] By the authority vested in me by the Congress and the President of the United States, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree recommended by the faculty of your college with all rights, privileges, and honors thereto pertaining. (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Will the first row of National War College graduates come forward to receive your diplomas? Remaining students, please be seated. Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Otterman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Albers. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Haltham Al Hasani. (audience applauds) Oman. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Amjad Al Hasawani, Jordan. (audience applauds) Mr. Jeffrey Anderson. (audience applauds) Colonel William Hanagstad. (audience applauds) Colonel Lul Arifa, Ethiopia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Arriaga. (audience applauds) Commander Lane Askew. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Ibrahim Attiya, Egypt. (audience applauds) Ms. Daniella Ballard. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jason Berg, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Bergen, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Bookout. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Brian Barokov. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Leonel Brito. (audience applauds) Ms. Lisa Brody. (audience applauds) Colonel Robert Brown. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Bukovchic. (audience applauds) Ms. Stephanie Bunts. (audience applauds) Mr. Richard Call. (audience applauds) Captain Stefano Kavietti, Italy. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joed Carbonell. (audience applauds) Mr. Mark Karmel. (audience applauds) Mr. James Caruthers. (audience applauds) Mr. Matthew Carol. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Abigail Catalino. (audience applauds) Commander Dan Catlan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Cedarman. (audience applauds) Ms. Nicole Cerino. (audience applauds) Mr. David Shamblis. (audience applauds) Colonel Vasileios Hajibancios, Greece. (audience applauds) Ms. Farrah Sherry Mador. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Melissa Chestnut. (audience applauds) Captain Cedric Chitay, France. (audience applauds) Colonel Augustine Imelion Kira, Romania. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Erick Clark. (audience applauds) Colonel Adamo Columbo del Silveira, Brazil. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Justine Constadine. (audience applauds) Distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Nigel Crisp. (audience applauds) Captain Timothy Kronin. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Curtis. (audience applauds) Commander Demerius Davis. (audience applauds) Colonel Ronald Day. (audience applauds)

[Man] (mumbles) Congratulations. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Laura DeYoung. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph DiPorter. (audience applauds) Mr. Michael Desmond. (audience applauds) Colonel Mohamed Dolo, Mali. (audience applauds) Colonel Jonathon Dunn. (audience applauds) Colonel Andrew Jingliski. (audience applauds) Dr. Kenneth Earhart. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Angela Edmondson, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. John Edwards. (audience applauds) Commander Lloyd Edwards. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Mansieur Elhihi. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Adele Fakru Cutter. (audience applauds) Mr. John Fay. (audience applauds) Mr. Scott Fikan. (audience applauds) Commander Sean Foster. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Marc Franco, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Commander Gregory Freitag, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Peter Frinch. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Chad Frolick. (audience applauds) Ms. Melissa Garza. (audience applauds) Colonel Julie Gullen. (audience applauds) Colonel Juan Frederik Geiner, Norway, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Jason Gerbsman. (audience applauds) Mr. Daniel Gershader. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel John Gilliam. (audience applauds) Colonel Raja Gerseh, Indonesia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Amy Glissan. (audience applauds) Mr. Harold Gonzalez. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Scott Gunn, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Commander Steven Gunter. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Edward Gusman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Harr. (audience applauds) Commander Matthew Hemon. (audience applauds) Colonel Damon Harris. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Harrison. (audience applauds) Commander Brian Hart. (audience applauds) Colonel David Haskel. (audience applauds) Commander Brian Hatch. (audience applauds) Colonel Peter Hayden, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Rebecca Hazlett. (audience applauds) Mr. Christian Heath. (audience applauds) Ms. Kathleen Heashiklis. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Helfrich, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Henson. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Hiccock. (audience applauds) Mr. David Higgins. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Houston Hodgkinson. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Robert Holcombe. (audience applauds) Colonel Patrice Holmes. (audience applauds) Colonel Charles Hornick, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Hughes. (audience applauds) Colonel Irbull Isan, Turkey. (audience applauds) Colonel Ivo Ivanoff, Bulgaria. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Jennings, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Adam Jeppy. (audience applauds) Mr. James Johnson. (audience applauds) Ms. Jennifer Johnson. (audience applauds) Colonel Son Yu Ju, Korea. (audience applauds) Captain Mohamed Abdul Han, Bangladesh. (audience applauds) Colonel Vance Klozinsky. (audience applauds) Colonel Alexi Kusmanov, Ukraine. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jamaal Lanine, Morocco. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Michael Lake. (audience applauds) Mr. Eric Lambert. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Philip Lancaster. (audience applauds) Ms. Christine Lawson. (audience applauds) Mr. Bruce Lickman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Mark Liston. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Lord. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Chris Lundy. (audience applauds) Captain Hauke Lutsen, Germany, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Commander Robert Luzinski. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Michael McGinnis. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Mahoney. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Markah Markadez, Georgia. (audience applauds) Colonel Jeanette Martin. (audience applauds) Mr. Jacob Matthews. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Robert Matthews. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel William MacDonald. (audience applauds) Colonel Tammy MacElaney. (audience applauds) (he chuckles) Lieutenant Colonel Victor Milan. (audience applauds) Ms. Jennifer Miller. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Misagoy. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Attian Mishak. (audience applauds) Mr. Edward Monster. (audience applauds) Captain Frank Mullins. (audience applauds) Colonel Elman Narwindro, Indonesia. (audience applauds) Mr. John Narbass. (audience applauds) Colonel Tuin Nuin, Vietnam. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Peter Norsky. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Norton. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel William Nothbaum. (audience applauds) Colonel Christy Nyland. (audience applauds) Colonel Vincent O’Connor. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Marisa Pace. (audience applauds) Colonel Enrique Padia Roman, Mexico. (audience applauds) Commander Lester Patterson. (audience applauds) Commander Brian Peterson. (audience applauds) Mr. John Peyser. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel John Poole, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Billy Pope, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Ms. Jennifer Post, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Chanteuse Pudial, Nepal. (audience applauds) Mr. Paul Powell. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Eric Reagan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Scotty Redding. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Reed. (audience applauds) Colonel Justin Reese. (audience applauds) Mr. Charles Rhodes. (audience applauds) Colonel Runo Richardson. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Rez Revus. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Langdon Root. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jason Rose. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Nikki Rucker. (audience applauds) Mr. Christopher Runyan, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Kevin Ryder. (audience applauds) Ms. Karina Sanders. (audience applauds) Mr. Chad Sarchio. (audience applauds) Mr. Sedik Sediky, Afghanistan. (audience applauds) Colonel Morat Shayen Mirdanoff, Kazakhstan. (audience applauds) Colonel Matthew Sheaffer. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jude Shell. (audience applauds) Mr. Charles Shinn. (audience applauds) Mr. John Shipp. Excuse me, Colonel John Shipp. (audience applauds) Colonel Inder Preet Singh, India. (audience applauds) Colonel David Silitsky, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Jason Slater. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Fahim Slimani, Algeria. (audience applauds) Mrs. Shelby Smith Wilson. (audience applauds) Mr. Mark Snyder. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Brian Stelno. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ian Stevens. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel William Sullivan. (audience applauds) Mr. Alexander Tatolu. (audience applauds) Mr. Michael Tarilla. (audience applauds) Colonel Jason Tussy. (audience applauds) Ms. Mandy Tuttle. (audience applauds) Colonel Ara Ungader, Turkey. (audience applauds) Miss Tanya Urchieda. (audience applauds) Mr. Kurt Van Der Walden, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Eric Vandenberg, Canada, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Jason Vandenberg. (audience applauds) Colonel Richard Vasquez. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Chad Vann. (audience applauds) Mr. Patrick Vantrell, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Oscar Vera Palaz, Columbia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel David Vilen, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Andrew Vogt. (audience applauds) Colonel Matthew Vollkommer. (audience applauds) Colonel Christopher Warner, class president. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jason West. (audience applauds) Colonel Christine Whitner. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Wildman. (audience applauds) Mr. Chad Woulette. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Zaker. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jason Zumwalt, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, the interim chancellor of the College of Information and Cyberspace, Mr. Thomas Wingfield. (audience applauds)

[Wingfield] College of Information and Cyberspace, class of 2019, will you please rise? Admiral Roegge. (audience applauds) Admiral Roegge, I have the honor to preset the College of Information and Cyberspace candidates, who have fulfilled the requirements, and are duly recommended by the faculty of the College of Information and Cyberspace for the degree of Master of Science in government information leadership.

[Roegge] Very well. By the authority vested in my by the Congress and the President of the United States, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree recommended by the faculty of your college with all rights, privileges, and honors thereto pertaining. (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Will the first row of College of Information and Cyberspace graduates come forward to receive your diplomas? Will the remaining students please be seated? Colonel Jeffrey Abasher. (audience applauds) Miss Vicki Alums. (audience applauds) Mr. Robert Arrington. (audience applauds) Mr. Carlton Ayoung. (audience applauds) Mr. James Bouton. (audience applauds) Commander April Bueno. (audience applauds) Commander Andrew Campin. (audience applauds) Mr. Sunil Kasuba. (audience applauds) Colonel Jennifer Chapman. (audience applauds) Captain Michael Dean. (audience applauds) Mr. Ivan Delgado. (audience applauds) Mr. Michael Dumas. (audience applauds) Mr. Keith Gafford. (audience applauds) Colonel Joseph Golembiewski. (audience applauds) Captain Arlene Gray, class leader. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Hester, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Ms. Nicola Hitner. (audience applauds) Mr. Kenneth Holcraft. (audience applauds) Mr. Matthew Isenveis. (audience applauds) Mr. Arthur Kelly. (audience applauds) Colonel David Leech. (audience applauds) Captain Eric McCartney. (audience applauds) Mr. Philip McGinn. (audience applauds) Mr. Thomas Malar, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Thomas Modica. (audience applauds) Mr. Rashid Molar. (audience applauds) Miss Sara Nather, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Miss Mi Cheong Oin. (audience applauds) Commander Rodney Pirafoy. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel David Reeves, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Robinson. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Sawyer. (audience applauds) Miss Kim Shanol. (audience applauds) Miss Pamela Simon. (audience applauds) Mr. Russell Smith. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Toese, United Kingdom, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Tanya Trout. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel James Watt. (audience applauds) Mr. John Wheeler. (audience applauds) Mr. John Whitely. (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, the Commandant of Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, Brigadier General Kyle Robinson, United States Air Force. (audience applauds and cheers)

[Robinson] Eisenhower School class of 2019, will you please rise? (audience applauds and cheers) Admiral Roegge, I have the honor to preset the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy candidates who have fulfilled the requirements and are duly recommended by the faculty of the Eisenhower School for the degree of Master of Science, National Resource Strategy.

[Roegge] Very well. By the authority vested in me by the Congress and by the President of the United States, I hereby confer upon each of your the degree recommended by the faculty of your college with all rights, privileges, and honors thereto pertaining. (audience applauds and cheers) Will the first row of the President’s Cup winning Eisenhower School Tigers come forward to receive your diplomas? Will the remainder of the class please be seated? Mr. Jake Adrian. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Rog Agriwal, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Mohamed Ahadi, Afghanistan. (audience applauds) Commander Ahmed Al Busadi, Oman. (audience applauds) Colonel Abrahim Al Masuri, United Arab Emirates. (audience applauds) Captain Abdula S. Adakil, Kuwait. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy B. Alexander. (audience applauds) Colonel Musabe Akabe, United Arab Emirates. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Rick Albritton. (audience applauds) Captain Miguel Avarado, Mexico. (audience applauds) Colonel Khalid Azaroni, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (audience applauds) Mr. Bryce T. Armstrong. (audience applauds) Colonel Thomas A. Atkinson, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Alan B. Everett, Jr. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kyle M. Baldassari. (audience applauds) Commander Razak Baligan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Charles Barkhurst. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew A. Bartlett, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Michael D. Barton. Mr. Michael D. Barton. (audience applauds) Commander Jonathon Bates. (audience applauds) Colonel Dieter Baumann, Switzerland. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Bradley P. Bean. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Steven Mark Batey, II. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew M. Bell. (audience applauds) Captain Mohamed Monir Ben Atia, Tunisia. (audience applauds) Colonel Tia Benning. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jay Birch. (audience applauds) Mr. Anirban Batachari. (audience applauds) Mr. David W. Bias. (audience applauds) Ms. Kelly Billingsley. (audience applauds) Colonel Shlomo Binder, distinguished international fellow, Israel. (audience applauds) Mr. Donald E. Bitner. (audience applauds) Commander Derek E. Blackston. (audience applauds) Colonel Aaron Borer. (audience applauds) Mr. Michael T. Bolen. (audience applauds) Commander Daniel A. Bowman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Gary S. Bonham, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph M. Bonner. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Eric L. Booker. (audience applauds) Colonel Kevin D. Boren. (audience applauds) Mr. David M. Breedy. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew S. Brennan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kristen L. Brockman. (audience applauds) Mr. Mark S. Brown. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Melissa G. Brown. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel William P. Brown. (audience applauds) Mr. Anthony R. Burke. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Dustin J. Byron, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jose Carbrera, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Commander Gregory A. Calligan. (audience applauds) Miss Cheryl R. Campbell. (audience applauds) Mr. John A. Cano. (audience applauds) Mr. Vincent E. Cappello. (audience applauds) Colonel Carlos Enrique Carasquia Gomez, Columbia. (audience applauds) Mr. Mark J. Carato. (audience applauds) Mr. Marcus E. L. Caring. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Barry D. Castrum. (audience applauds) Miss Lydia Cervantes. (audience applauds) Mr. Michael Cirillo. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Craig Clarkson. (audience applauds) Colonel Mark. E. Cleveland. (audience applauds) Commander Chris Coggins. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel George Cole. (audience applauds) Commander Daniel M. Cologne. (audience applauds) Commander Robert C. Comfer. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Christopher F. Conley. (audience applauds) Miss Melissa K. Cowen. (audience applauds) Commander Tiko Crowfoot. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kevin M. Crofton. (audience applauds) Captain Edward M. Crossman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Bradley T. Culligan. (audience applauds) Colonel Patrick E. Curry. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel David P. David. (audience applauds) Commander Trevor A. Day. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Khan Deep. (audience applauds) Colonel Frank Diorio. (audience applauds) Commandor Ugo Dedeair, Argentina. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Douglas. (audience applauds) Captain Curtis Duncan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew S. Edmonson. (audience applauds) Miss Mary K. Eisenhower. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Rohe El Helo, Lebanon. (audience applauds) Colonel Jacqueline L. Immanuel. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Angel R. Astratta. (audience applauds) Commander Amy A. Evangelista. (audience applauds) Miss Christine E. Farkeson. (audience applauds) Ms. Jolanda Felder. (audience applauds) Ms. Mercedes Fichit. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Karin Fitzgerald. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Mary Donovan Flak. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Bryan M. Fluche, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Terrence Flynn. (audience applauds) Colonel Heather A. Fox. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Shelly M. Frank. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Nikki R. Frankino. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Getky. (audience applauds) Colonel Bobokar Gambisanco, Ivory Coast. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Johnny G. Garza. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Cedric D. Gaston, Jr. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Gary. (audience applauds) Colonel Abraham G. Gabriabanos, Ethiopia. (audience applauds) Miss Kimberly Gillen. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Paul L. Gilligan. (audience applauds) Colonel Marshana M. Gibson. (audience applauds) Mr. Vince Goley. (audience applauds) Miss Joellen Gorg. (audience applauds) Miss Shawn K. Gray. (audience applauds) Mr. Paul M. Hage. (audience applauds) Captain Makato Hansaki, Japan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Fredericka R. Harris. (audience applauds) Colonel Reginald M. Harris. (audience applauds) Colonel Andre Pavil, Czech Republic. (audience applauds) Mr. Justin Higgins. (audience applauds) Commander Damon V. Hildebrand, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Miss Gina Hoffman. (audience applauds) Colonel Shorn Hoffman, Australia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Chip W. Hollinger. (audience applauds) Colonel Amy M. Ide. (audience applauds) Mr. John D. Irons. (audience applauds) Commander Tracy R. Isaac. (audience applauds) Commander Ryan S. Jackson. (audience applauds) Mr. Lee A. James, III. (audience applauds) Colonel Paige M. Jennings. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey D. Johns. (audience applauds) Commander Marcus L. Jones. (audience applauds) Colonel Robert L. Jones, III. (audience applauds) Colonel Enchila Kaygombola, Tanzania. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jason M. Kalen. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Karls. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Sam Kassim, Malaysia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Tomaslov Kasamovich, Croatia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Edward W. Kendall. (audience applauds) Colonel Jason E. Kerr. (audience applauds) Mrs. Nicole R. Killgore. (audience applauds) Colonel Andrew C. Kim. (audience applauds) Colonel Eugene Y. Kim, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Khalid Kirs, Estonia. (audience applauds) Commander Ken Klimesnicker. (audience applauds) Mr. Philip L. Knight. (audience applauds) Commander Sean P. Knight. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew D. Kaler. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Carol Koates. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Vaskil Kokolansky, Republic of Macedonia. (audience applauds) Mr. David M. Kolstead. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Kone, Mali. (audience applauds) Colonel Michael J. Kovasavic. (audience applauds) Mr. Alexi T. Krawl. (audience applauds) Colonel Bryan D. Koon. (audience applauds) Colonel Jonathon M. Kupka. (audience applauds) Mr. William Kootson. (audience applauds) Captain Herbert E. Lacey. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey R. Lafleur, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel David C. Lamont, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Miss Kathryn D. Ledesma. (audience applauds) Miss Allison J. Lee. (audience applauds) Colonel Pingta Lee, Taiwan. (audience applauds) Mr. Robert D. Lee. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Steven D. Legero. (audience applauds) Miss Joanne E. Littlefair. (audience applauds) Miss Rachel M. Luther, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Sharon R. Lyte. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Lisa M. Mabbit, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Alex Mahoney. (audience applauds) Mr. Patrick G. Maloney. (audience applauds) Mr. Pedro Jose Martin. (audience applauds) Brigadier General Salvatore Massi, Italy. (audience applauds) Captain Dale W. Maxi. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel James K. MacBride. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Brian E. C. MacLane, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Timothy F. MacKonvery. (audience applauds) Mr. Travis A. McCune. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Brian D. McLane. (audience applauds) Miss Elizabeth M. McMaster. (audience applauds) Mr. Joseph T. McPherson. (audience applauds) Colonel Robert E. Miney. (audience applauds) Captain Andrew D. Meverden, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Edward Meyers. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Tracy Michael. (audience applauds) Miss Kirsten E. Miller. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Tai E. Miller, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Brooks W. Minnoch. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Genevieve M. Minzik. (audience applauds) Captain Iber Montenegromora, Brazil. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Johannes C. Moore. (audience applauds) Mr. Kyle W. Mormon. (audience applauds) Mr. Jason J. Mount. (audience applauds) Colonel Disheppo Patsan, Botswana. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ryan S. Merada. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ian H. Murray, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Miss Alexandra N. Nasif. (audience applauds) Mr. Rick K. Norgrin. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Sean Nolan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Selena Noyse, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. James D. O’Connor. (audience applauds) Mr. Douglas T. Ogino. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel June S. Oh. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Christopher J. Ortiona. (audience applauds) Colonel Michael S. Oshike, class president. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Mark Perrin, Canada. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Tara L. Parson Grant. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel David Pasquale. (audience applauds) Mr. Rog M. Patel, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Robert A. Peterson. (audience applauds) Captain Gregory T. Petrovic. (audience applauds) Colonel Dwight E. Philips, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Miss Lauren E. Pitri. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey W. Pixli. (audience applauds) Mr. Robert J. Pliek. (audience applauds) Colonel Michael P. Post. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Simon Poudrier, Canada. (audience applauds) Colonel Corey S. Presson. (audience applauds) Mr. Joseph R. Price. (audience applauds) Colonel Steven Priest. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Arthie Purie. (audience applauds) Mr. Christopher E. Pim. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kye Quadry, distinguished graduate (audience applauds) Colonel Taige J. Rainsford. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Joe A. Ratliff. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ennis Rezopojic, Bosnia-Herzegovina. (audience applauds) Mr. Jason P. Reed. (audience applauds) Mr. Craig R. Reistag. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin C. Richardson, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Tony M. Riki. (audience applauds) Mr. Roje Claude Rigo. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Christina S. Robinson. (audience applauds) Ms. Cassandra Rockward Osaben. (audience applauds) Colonel William A. Rogers, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Alvaro E. Rodriguez. (audience applauds) Miss Heather M. Rogers. (audience applauds) Colonel Mihael Rote, Poland. (audience applauds) Colonel Poden Raspodnuk, Ukraine. (audience applauds) Captain Melissa Ross, New Zealand. (audience applauds) Miss Shamika Ross. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel John C. Rotante. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Travis D. Rule, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Louis J. Rosetta, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Daniel N. Ruttenberr. (audience applauds) Commander Erin Sanchez. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Gina D. San Nicholas. (audience applauds) Colonel Josef Sareal, Israel. (audience applauds) Mr. Christopher R. Scalzo. (audience applauds) Mr. Patrick M. Schmidt. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ronard D. Schokenmeyer. (audience applauds) Mr. Nathan W. Scoggin. (audience applauds) Mr. Benjamin P. Scribner. (audience applauds) Miss Allison L. Shearer. (audience applauds) Captain Blaine T. Sharon. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Justin R. Shell. (audience applauds) Mr. Bill Slayton. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Adam D. Smith. (audience applauds) Mr. John R. Snieden, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Rover Sabrino, Philippines. (audience applauds) Miss Diane L. Soverin. (audience applauds) Colonel Brian C. Spangler. (audience applauds) Captain Jonathon E. Sporr. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Chadwick M. Stype. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Steppe. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Saint Laurent. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel William F. Storms. (audience applauds) Mr. Brett Straumberg. (audience applauds) Mr. Jonathon W. Sutton. (audience applauds) Mr. Preston L. Taggot. (audience applauds) Ms. Kirsten L. Taylor. (audience applauds) Mr. Michael K. Taylor. (audience applauds) Mr. Mohammed Talab. (audience applauds) Mr. Douglas T. Thomas. (audience applauds) Mr. Timothy B. Thompson. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Charles D. Throckmorten. (audience applauds) Mr. Richard G. Tabasco. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Silvan Tornier, France. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Paul P. Townsend, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. Richard S. Tracy. (audience applauds) Mr. Timothy S. Truman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Solomon Shaddai Oral, Turkey. (audience applauds) Mr. Christopher Upchurch. (audience applauds) Mr. David D. Vargas. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer M. Wagner. (audience applauds) Mr. Alan D. Wallace. (audience applauds) Commander Ann Wharton. (audience applauds) Commander Jason E. Whiteman. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kirk J. Whittenberger. (audience applauds) Colonel Jeremy E. Williams, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Williams. (audience applauds) Colonel Jeremy R. Willingham. (audience applauds) Mr. Mark E. Wilson. (audience applauds) Miss Kathryn H. Yamoyanov. (audience applauds) Dr. Hana Yim. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jason A. Yokum. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Matthew S. Youngblood. (audience applauds) Colonel Yudi Yulistianto, Indonesia. (audience applauds) Colonel Sammy Zahir, Jordan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ryan A. Zightler. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Scott W. Zimmerman. (audience applauds) Mr. Alan R. Zitowski. (audience applauds) (audience yelling and cheering)

[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, the Interim Chancellor of the College of International Security Affairs, Dr. Charles Cushman. (audience applauds)

[Cushman] College of International Securities Affairs class of 2019, will you please rise? (audience applauds) Admiral Roegge, I have the honor to present the College of International Security Affairs candidates who have fulfilled the requirements and are duly recommended by the faculty of the college for the degree Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies.

[Roegge] Thank you, Dr. Cushman. By the authority vested in me by the Congress and the President of the United States, I hereby confer upon each of you the degree recommended by the faculty of your college with all rights, privileges and honors thereto pertaining. (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Will the first row of the College of International Security Affairs graduates come forward and receive your diplomas? The remaining students please be seated. Brigadier General Idor Agibaku, Nigeria. (audience applauds) Colonel Hassan El Deja, Jordan. (audience applauds) Colonel Constantinos Aleksakas, Greece. (audience applauds) Colonel Khaled Al Mush, Jordan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Kase Al Radsuhed, Jordan. (audience applauds) Colonel Nassir Al Saheed, Oman. (audience applauds) Colonel Mohamed Al Smadi, Jordan. (audience applauds) Mr. Salvatore Amadeo. (audience applauds) Superintendent Grace Ansakrofi, Ghana. (audience applauds) Colonel Haram Argonas, Philippines. (audience applauds) Captain Mohamed Rodi Ben Arfen, Malaysia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Armstrong. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jared Auchi. (audience applauds) Mr. Christopher Barton. (audience applauds) Colonel Khaled Badoui, Tunisia. (audience applauds) Mr. Scott Beasting, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Major Bryce Benson. (audience applauds) Commander Karem Billgay, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Jody Banez. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Booke. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Todd Borzik, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Buzz Hydear Boykov, Bulgaria. (audience applauds) Mr. Anthony Brancotto. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Elevis Boromundo, Uganda, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Cannelly. (audience applauds) Major Jorge Chavez Merano, Peru.

[Audience] Jorge! (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Mr. Mika Cleverly, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Major Carl Corvin.

[Audience] Carl! (audience applauds)

[Announcer] Mr. Matthew Cattrell. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Alu Bwadiara, Mali, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Henry Eddy, Lebanon. (audience applauds) Commander Karim M. Hadouey, Morocco. (audience applauds) Colonel Solomon Immanuel, Nigeria. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Mark Faulkner, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Raymond Farhat, Lebanon, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Ahmir Goneem, Egypt. (audience applauds) Colonel Gregory Hemenez. (audience applauds) Major Seth Gonzalez. (audience applauds) Mr. Everett Goodman, II. (audience applauds) Colonel Fastino Gunda Pahiri, Malawi. (audience applauds) Captain Timothy Hammond. (audience applauds) Major Bernard Hellrung. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Moses Ichuriza, Uganda. (audience applauds) Colonel Georgie Javadzi, Georgia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Robert Johnson, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Luwan Kika, Kosovo. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Sparidan Karim Empirdez, Greece. (audience applauds) Mr. Theodore Koontz. (audience applauds) Colonel Eric Larson. (audience applauds) Mr. Christopher Lassiter. (audience applauds) Major Karen Mock. (audience applauds) Ms. Judy Moore. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Melvahill, distinguished graduate, class president. (audience applauds) Colonel Charles Mazwigay, Kenya. (audience applauds) Colonel Monir Namuchi, Tunisia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Hernan Nantio, Argentina. (audience applauds) Colonel Mohamed Nasotian, Indonesia. (audience applauds) Colonel Inak Nathanya, Malawi. (audience applauds) Superintendent Ahooah Nuro Panini, Ghana. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Hernan Palacio Garcia, Columbia. (audience applauds) Group Captain Amal Perero, Sri Lanka. (audience applauds) Major Malik Person. (audience applauds) Dr. Vilma Petskovah, Republic of North Macedonia. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Pavalovski. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Renfrey, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. James Robinson. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Barry Roach. (audience applauds) Miss Fatima Sanay, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Commander Kevin Sheehan. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Lorenzo Slay. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Bryan Stall, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Colonel Norbert Todgtey, Hungary. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Mark Tyler. (audience applauds) Major Brandon Uecki. (audience applauds) Major Taylor Valentine. (audience applauds) Commissioner Alma Vega Castro, Panama. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Sazar Valasko Morales, Mexico. (audience applauds) Lieutenant Colonel Anvir Voka, Kosovo. (audience applauds) Colonel Thomas Wiechert. (audience applauds) Mr. Tracy Wibble, distinguished graduate. (audience applauds) Mr. David Widmore. (audience applauds) Last and certainly not least, Lieutenant Colonel Daryl Butch Wilfork. (audience applauds and cheers)

[Announcer] Okay. Will all of the 2019 graduates of the National Defense University please stand? (audience applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, I present the National Defense University’s 2019 graduates of the National War College, College of Information and Cyberspace, Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy, and the College of International Security Affairs. (audience applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the benediction by Chaplain Williams, and please remain in place for the departure of the official party.

[Williams] Many faith groups end their prayer with the word amen, or amen, which is roughly something like let it be so, or in military parlance, hoo-ah, or ooh-rah. So I’m gonna end the prayer with the phrase, and everyone said, and so whatever you want to exclaim, hoo-rah, ooh-rah, praise the Lord, thank the Lord, Oh my God, I can’t believe it’s over. (audience laughs) Let’s do that and just have a great exclamation to end this ceremony. So let’s pray. Gracious and merciful almighty God, I commit these students to your loving care and protection. Keep them safe and secure, as they stand strong against injustice and oppression, and resist the enemies of freedom and human rights, and create the conditions for peace. Grant them success and victory. Thank you for their families, spouses, children, parents, and relatives alike, who have supported and encouraged them. May we all unite in stewardship of your gifts and blessings, in pursuit of the strategies for peace, and everyone said.

[All] Ooh-rah.

[Williams] Hoo-yah. (audience applauds)

[Man] I didn’t have a chance to say hello. How you doing?

Thank you.

[Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, this completes today’s graduation ceremony. Before leaving Fort McNair today, you’re encouraged to join our newest graduates and our faculty at a reception hosted by each of the colleges. The CIC is located at the south atrium of Lincoln Hall, Eisenhower School in Eisenhower Hall, CC on the second floor of Lincoln Hall, and NWC in the Roosevelt Rotunda. (audience mutters)

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