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CNO Addresses Future Ensigns at Annapolis

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080520-20
Release Date: 5/20/2008 3:02:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew A. Ebarb, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead addressed the Class of 2008's future ensigns at the U.S. Naval Academy, May 19.

In his final speech to the midshipmen before their commissioning on May 23, Roughead, a 1973 Naval Academy graduate and former Commandant of Midshipmen, spoke about the importance of mission readiness and the Navy's presence around the globe.

"Our Navy today is everywhere. Right now we have 72,000 Sailors deployed around the world," said Roughead. "We are in great demand across a range of missions. [When] the Commander in Chief needs a response and needs options, he's going to turn to the Navy."

Roughead reminded the midshipmen that the Navy is not only about providing presence overseas, but is also about being a global tactical asset.

"We are, at the end of the day, a fighting force," said Roughead. "We did not build a fleet to make the piers look pretty. We built the fleet to go fight when the need arises."

The Class of 2008 will commission 270 surface warfare officers, 254 pilots, 92 naval flight officers, 115 submarine officers, 40 special warfare officers, and send 36 to other communities.

"You've spent four years here and it has gone by quickly. I think you're about to find out that what's ahead of you will go by even quicker," said Roughead.

The Class of 2008 experienced many milestones during their time at the Naval Academy, including a historic clean-sweep over Army and Air Force football. Now, as they prepare to join the officer ranks in a wartime Navy, they will enter a Fleet and Marine force where 12 Naval Academy alumni have already lost their lives in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

"It is a world that is changing. It is very dynamic and to a certain degree, very uncertain," said Roughead. "You're going to have to understand this environment and you're going to have to make decisions. You're going to work with people of different cultures and organizations that are different from when I came in. That is going to round you out, and develop you into a better officer, a better individual and a better leader."

Roughead reminded the midshipmen about their responsibilities as leaders, and discussed the critical impact they will have on their Sailors.

"You can change people in ways you can't even begin to image, and you can shape the events of the world in ways that few others can," said Roughead.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway also visited Annapolis to speak to the Class of 2008's 237 future second lieutenants. The Class of 2008's graduation and commissioning ceremony will take place at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

For more news from the U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/local/usna/.