 When I assume the watch as the Chief of Naval Operations, I establish three key tenets for our decision-making. And they are, warfighting is first, operate forward, and to be ready. Warfighting first, that means the Navy has to be ready to fight and prevail today while building the ability to win tomorrow. This is our primary mission and all our efforts must be grounded in this fundamental responsibility. Operate forward. That means we will provide the nation an offshore option to deter, to influence, and to win in an era of uncertainty. One ship that is operating from an overseas location can provide the same presence as about four ships rotationally deployed from the continental United States. Be ready. That means we will harness the teamwork, the talent, and the imagination of our diverse force to be ready to fight and responsibly use our resources. This is more than completing required maintenance and ensuring that parts and supplies are available. Being ready also means being proficient and confident with our weapons, with our sensors, our command and control, our communications, and our engineering systems. Your Navy will continue to be critical to our nation's security and prosperity. We will focus on warfighting first, we will operate forward, and we will be ready.