 Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the commanding officer, Captain Elkhorn, welcome to the graduation ceremony for Officer Canada School, Class 11, Tech 23. Over the past 13 weeks, the class team has been responsible for developing today's graduates to serve as professional naval officers worthy of special trust and confidence. The 11, Tech 23 class team includes class officer, Lieutenant Bonner, class officer, Lieutenant Pardue, class recruit division commander, QMC Galaza, and class drill instructor, Staff Sergeant Renteria. Guests are encouraged to take photographs from the seating area at any time during the ceremony, except during the playing of the National Anthem. The order of events for today's ceremony is as follows. At 100, Captain Elkhorn, commanding officer, officer training command Newport, United States Navy will arrive with the guest of honor, Captain Hennings, commanding officer, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Division Newport, United States Navy. Guests will be asked to rise for the arrival of the official party and remain standing for the playing of the National Anthem in invocation. The commanding officer and guest of honor will address the graduating class and administer the oath of office. The graduates will then be recognized through the presentation of their commission by the commanding officer and guest of honor. Guests will be asked to rise for the playing of the service songs and the final dismissal. Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the arrival of the official party and remain standing for the National Anthem in invocation. Officer training command Newport arriving, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport arriving. Ladies and gentlemen, chaplain Butts will now offer the invocation. Let us pray. Oh heavenly king, the comforter in spirit of truth, who art in all places and fills all things, treasury of good things and giver of life. We give you thanks for this day of celebration. We are thankful for the life you have given us, the parents who have loved and nourished us, and the numerous friends and family members who have encouraged us on the journey of life and helped each one to arrive at this hour. We give thanks for the dedicated staff here at officer training command who helped develop each one of these sailors into our newest naval officers. Vice Admiral Stockdale wrote, "'Character is probably more important than knowledge.'" We ask that you give each one of these officers the courage to be leaders of impeccable character, models of integrity, and give them the strength they will need to weather the rough seas of leadership. May they hold themselves accountable each day, staying true to the values that guide them. Today they follow in the wake of the greatest naval leaders of history, selfless men and women of character who fought for the freedoms that make our country great. May they continue to carry on that legacy as they head to the fleet. Be with us today and forever. Amen. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Everett A.M. Outcorn, commanding officer, officer training command, Nupe. Ladies and gentlemen, Captain Hennings, Captain Mattingly, Captain Carponella, Captain Boyam, Captain Long, Colonel Gendryzek, distinguished guests, veterans, officer training command staff, family members and friends, and most importantly, soon to be commissioned officers of class 11, tack two, three, good morning. I'm excited to welcome 51 of our newest graduates into one of the most challenging and fulfilling careers, that of naval officer. To the family and friends joining us, I applaud you for the great work you've done preparing these impressive leaders prior to their arrival here. Your love, support and encouragement have produced the impressive individuals seated here. It has enabled them to make sound choices and we are grateful to these graduates for their choice to serve. They could not have gotten to this point without careful guidance and support of family and friends. On behalf of the Navy and a grateful nation, please accept my most sincere thank you. To the graduates here today, as commanding officer of officer training command, I am proud of each and every one of you. You've had many other options in volunteering to serve your country, yet you've chosen this path. I thank you for your patriotism and your willingness to serve and I assure you that a life of service holds many rewards and will bring you great fulfillment. You've completed rigorous military, academic and physical training, you've overcome obstacles, nothing was handed to you except for opportunity, opportunity to make something more of yourself, to learn, to grow and to lead. You've seized that opportunity and today your reap its rewards. I congratulate each and every one of you for this significant and memorable achievement. It is now time to embrace a new opportunity, leading sailors in the fleet. In the years ahead, your knowledge and leadership skills will be tested often. You will be standing watch working alongside fellow officers and sailors around the world, around the clock. Know that you are doing significant and meaningful work for our country. Work hard, learn the warfare and professional skills of your designator. Be the best and give your country 100% effort, nothing else will suffice. The Navy and the nation expect this from you, the highest standards of personal and professional conduct, excellence and leadership and the strict adherence to the Navy's core values. Honor, courage and commitment. I applaud your accomplishments and perseverance. You're about to embark on a great adventure, one in which I hope you find professional success and personal fulfillment. It will be unlike any other job you have ever had and regardless of how long you serve our nation will most assuredly be a time which you will look back with much pride and satisfaction. Congratulations to each and every one of you. I wish you fair winds and following seas. It is now my honor and privilege this morning to introduce you to our guest of honor, Captain Chad Hennings, commanding officer Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Illinois and Lucerne, Indiana. After receiving a degree in aerospace engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, he received his commission at Officer Candidate School in 1994. After his initial training pipeline and sea tours include the USS Toledo, SSN 769, USS Michigan, SSBN 727 Gold, USS Columbia, SSN 771, and USS Hampton, SSN 767. He also commanded the USS Nevada, SSNBN 733 Gold and the USS Pennsylvania, SSBN 735 Blue. Throughout his sea tours, he supported several Western Pacific and Mediterranean deployments, conducted nine strategic deterrent patrols and he's earned many battle efficiency awards. His shore tours include staff positions at Submarine Squadron II, Submarine Squadron 17, Submarine Squadron 19, and the National Geospace Intelligence Agency. During his shore tours, he's earned a master's degree in modeling virtual environments and simulation from the Naval Postgraduate School and then strategic studies from the Naval War College. In September of 2017, he became an acquisition professional and served as the head of requirements and testing for the 397 Columbia Class Program and the deputy program manager for PMS 415 Undersea Defensive Weapon Systems. He's recently completed a tour as a program manager of PMS 401 Submarine Acoustic Systems. His leadership is essential to the continued success of the world's greatest Navy and we are privileged to have him with us here today to share his thoughts. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming our guest of honor today, Captain Chad Hennings. Thank you, Captain Alcorn and good morning. Thank you, Captain Carponella, Captain Mattingly, CMC Holtgraver, family and friends, and especially OCS Class 1123, congratulations. About a year and a half ago, I spoke in this very hall at an OCS graduation. It was really special for me because it was the first time, the place that where I had been from asked me to come back to give a speech. Since I've been invited back, I hopefully that I didn't screw up too much the first time and I'm honored to be here. So Class 1123, I hope you're ready and I know you are. You are going into a dangerous world out there. Since my last speech, Russia has invaded Ukraine and demonstrated increased aggression in that region of the world. China continues a military buildup both in terms of pure numbers of ships and aircraft, as well as the exponential rise in their capabilities and advancements. China builds around 40% of the world's commercial and military ships. When you consider the recent AUKUS agreement and add the UK and Australia with the United States capability, our number is 1.1% of the world's ships. We're not gonna outbuild China in the near term. It is you, our leaders, sailors, and capabilities that will carry the day. And when you get to the fleet, if you haven't heard this already, that coming day of potential conflict is not discussed as 10, 15, or 20 years from now. Our leaders consistently send the message that the readiness to fight in a global conflict with a peer competitor needs to be within the next five years. Additionally, with an increased number as well as veracity of exercise in the Taiwan Strait, China moves more and more towards a violent reunification with Taiwan as opposed to a peaceful one. And why is all this important? Well, those inside the Beltway in Washington, DC will tell you that nations like China and Russia don't, and I'll put it in quotes, adhere to international norms. Well, what does this mean after all? That's great diplomatic speak. One thing I'll tell you though is that diplomats speak did not make me join or serve going on 28 years in the United States Navy. Being a child of the Cold War, it was stories that in the old Soviet Union that the KGB could show up to your house and you were one of your relatives were never heard from again. Those were the things that motivated me. Make no mistake, this is a battle of cultures and norms. Since President Xi Jinping has come to power, the Chinese Communist Party instituted public confessions on their public TV feed, CCTV, by dissidents, lawyers, and activists who dare cross the party's will and desires. While bloodless, these events echo the intent of the Cultural Revolution and have the effect of discouraging questioning of the government as well as diminishing any message of the person in the force confession. This is just one of many authoritarian measures that President Xi has started since coming to power. It is absolutely imperative that the values of our constitution based republic, values embraced by most of the world since the end of the Cold War, continue to influence the globe. So now that I'm done depressing you, here's why you should be excited to start your careers and this is where I tend to get a little cocky. It was said that the sun never sets on the British Empire. While the same is true of the U.S. Navy. It is truly a 24-7-365 worldwide deployed fleet. Despite all the dire talk regarding China and Taiwan, it should be noted that all the discussion revolves around fighting on the Taiwan Strait. There is no talk of the Chinese fighting in the North Atlantic or the Caribbean closer to our turf and threatening our homeland. While the Chinese have done a lot to bolster how formidable they are in their own backyard, frankly, there isn't a lot of discussion about their ability to fight outside the South China or Yellow Sea. Right now, any potential conflict with China or Russia is a completely away game type discussion, fighting on the visitors playing fields. This is a good position to be in and it's not because China doesn't aim to be a global power. The ability to choose the field where we fight is due to the sacrifice in war or in peace of constantly sailing the world and showing the flag. It is a tradition you should absolutely be proud of. As I'm retiring soon and want to enjoy that retirement, please keep this advantage and I know you will. The ability, what would any OCS graduation be without some leadership advice? So here's my first. And your future superior officers can thank me later. You will quickly find, even in your first jobs, leading sailors, that you will have certain authorities and your boss will hold certain other higher level ones. Like everything, there will be certain situations that are not black and white and fit into neat little boxes. They'll be gray and you will wonder if you should get your boss's input or even their decision. But if your boss is not constantly, is not tugging back slightly occasionally at your authority as a leader from time to time, then you're not using that full authority. Push the envelope, just don't rip it. I have found most of my bosses preferred those who had to get tugged back and put back in the box from time to time than those who refused to use all that authority and leadership at their disposal. Secondly, don't let perfect be the enemy of good enough. Very little will irritate your sailors more than you waiting on both perfect and complete data before making a decision. Think about what you reasonably needed to know, get that data and make that decision. Unfortunately, there's no magic algorithm for this and there's gonna be some trial and error in your experiences. If your decision is a bad one, think about the reasons it was bad and tweak that decision process. People respect decision makers who have the ability to act decisively rather than those who waffle and waiver waiting for all information to come in and leaving others waiting. And oftentimes decisions that may have been perfect days or even weeks prior are the same as they would have been anyway and they can be worse than those made with a more limited amount of information but more timely made. Lastly, there's a difference between morale and happiness. Morale is a sense of purpose, loyalty, alignment and determination to a mission. It is different from liking everything all if not most of the time, different from being an internal state of gladness. Strive for high morale in both yourself and your people. Happiness is the easier road however but happiness alone does not ensure your mission gets done, the high standards are met or that your people are ready for combat. You'll find high morale creates happiness when the opportunities present themselves. One of my favorite bosses I work for put it this way, don't make your people happy, make them proud. Always remember one, one, two, three that things worth doing are usually hard. It's kind of like foods that are good for you usually don't taste good as the foods that aren't. You've passed one hard thing in graduating today right of passage and training where not everyone in your shoes succeeds. There will be hard things ahead but what I can tell you is that while you may not always be happy if you do your job to the best of your ability you'll always be proud. Good luck one, one, two, three and see you in the fleet. All right class one, one, two, three congratulations and we'll now take the oath of office. The graduating class will now receive the oath of office with all military personnel in uniform please come to the position of attention. All right class one, one, two, three raise your right hands and repeat after me. I state your name, having been appointed in ensign in the United States Navy do hereby accept such appointment and do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic that I will bear true faith will lead you to the same that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation for purpose of evasion and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I'm about to enter so help me God who yeah congratulations one, one, two, three ladies and gentlemen please be seated. The distinguished graduates assembled will now be recognized by the commanding officer and guests of honor for their achievements while undergoing training here at officer training command Newport. Ensign McGee has been awarded the Commander Jack Leavitt Leadership Award having been chosen by his peers as the candidate who most inspired his class and personifies the highest standards of personal example, sound management practice and moral responsibility. Ensign McGee has also been awarded the Rear Admiral Stephen B. Loose Academics Award for obtaining the highest academic average while attending officer candidate school. Ensign McGee has been designated as a student naval aviator and has been assigned to naval introductory flight evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Ensign Bush has been awarded the Lieutenant Thomas E.D. Honor Award for achieving the highest average in academics, military training and physical fitness. Ensign Bush has also been awarded the Chapel Clarty United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Award for earning the highest overall grade in physical fitness. The award is presented by the Marine Corps League. Ensign Bush has been designated as a special warfare officer and has been assigned to Naval Special Warfare Training Center in Coronado, California. We will now recognize the remaining graduates. Please hold your applause until all graduates have been recognized. Ensign Robinson has been designated as a supply officer and has been assigned to the Navy Supply Corps School in Newport, Rhode Island. Ensign Martinez has been designated as a surface warfare officer and has been assigned to LSD-52 USS Pearl Harbor, home ported in San Diego, California. Ensign Smith has been designated as an intelligence officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Gersbach has been designated as a student naval aviator and has been assigned to naval introductory flight evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Ensign White has been designated as a nuclear surface warfare officer and has been assigned to DDG-75 USS Donald Cook, home ported in Mayport, Florida. Ensign Miller has been designated as an intelligence officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Ajagbe has been designated as a supply officer and has been assigned to the Navy Supply Corps School in Newport, Rhode Island. Ensign Badger has been designated as a public affairs officer and has been assigned to Defense Information School in Fort Meade, Maryland. Ensign Bailey has been designated as an intelligence officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Barnhill has been designated as a cryptological warfare officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Baskin has been designated as a surface warfare officer and has been assigned to LCS-20 USS Cincinnati, home ported in San Diego, California. Ensign Bethamue has been designated as an information professional officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Bittiscombe has been designated as a special warfare officer and has been assigned to Naval Special Warfare Training Center in Coronado, California. Ensign Brooks has been designated as a student naval flight officer and has been assigned to Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Ensign Cantrell has been designated as a civil engineering corps officer and has been assigned to Civil Engineering Corps Officer School at Port Juanini, California. Ensign Catlin has been designated as an information professional officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Chase has been designated as a surface warfare officer and has been assigned to DTG89 USS Mustin Home Ported in San Diego, California. Ensign Cho has been designated as a Cryptological Warfare Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Croft has been designated as a Nuclear Submarine Officer and has been assigned to Naval Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. Ensign Croft is a distinguished naval graduate. Ensign Durran has been designated as a Cryptological Warfare Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Elan has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to CG67 USS Shiloh Home Ported in Yucuzco, Japan. Ensign Fadi Mayen has been designated as a Public Affairs Officer and has been assigned to Defense Information School in Fort Meade, Maryland. Ensign Glass has been designated as an Information Professional Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign Atcher has been designated as an Intelligence Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ensign I Am Strong has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to LPD-22 USS San Diego Home Ported in San Diego, California. Ensign Jacobs has been designated as an Intelligence Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command Virginia Beach Virginia. Anson Jujuga has been designated as the supply officer and has been assigned to the Navy Supply Corps School in Newport, Rhode Island. Anson Johnson has been designated as an intelligence officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anson Key has been designated as an Information Professional Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anson Kilby has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to DDG-108-USS Wayne E. Mayer, Home Ported and Pearl Harbor, OIE. Anson Kim has been designated as an Intelligence Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anson Maloney has been designated as an Intelligence Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anson McCammon has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to LPD-28-USS Fort Lauderdale, Home Ported in Norfolk, Virginia. Anson Maylene has been designated as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to DDG-91-USS Picney, Home Ported in San Diego, California. Anson Maylene is a Distinguished Naval Graduate. Anson Michaels has been designated as a Supply Officer and has been assigned to Navy Supply Corps School in Newport, Rhode Island. Anson Patchett has been designated as a Student Naval Aviator and has been assigned to Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Anson Randall has been designated as an Information Professional Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anson Rhodes has been designated as a Student Naval Aviator and has been assigned to Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Anson Rice has been designated as an Intelligence Officer and has been assigned to Information Warfare Training Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Anson Rice is a Distinguished Naval Graduate. Anson Ross has been designated as an Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer and has been assigned to Aviation Maintenance Schools Command in Pensacola, Florida. Anson Salcedo has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to DDG-78 USS Porter, Home Ported in Norfolk, Virginia. Anson Salcedo is a Distinguished Naval Graduate. Anson Sassan has been designated as a Student Naval Aviator and has been assigned to Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Anson Sassan is a Distinguished Naval Graduate. Anson Spriggs has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to DDG-52 USS Barrie, Home Ported in Everett, Washington. Anson Sullivan has been designated as a Student Naval Flight Officer and has been assigned to Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation in Pensacola, Florida. Anson Tagliaferri has been designated as a Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to LSD-51 USS Oak Hill, Home Ported in Norfolk, Virginia. Anson Vu has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to DDG-60 USS Paul Hamilton, Home Ported in San Diego, California. Anson Walker has been designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and has been assigned to DDG-57 USS Mishter, Home Ported in Norfolk, Virginia. Anson Woods has been designated as a Nuclear Submarine Officer and has been assigned to Naval Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. Anson Stramansky has been designated as a Supply Officer and has been assigned to the Navy Supply Corps School in Newport, Rhode Island. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing the United States Navy's newest officers. Now to conclude the ceremony, ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the playing of the service songs and the final dismissal. Please remain in your places until after the graduating class has taken their class photo and remember the only authorized visitor locations are K Hall and Nimitz PT Field. For the commanding officer, officer training command Newport, thank you for attending. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the graduation ceremony.