WEBVTT 00:09.140 --> 00:10.140 I 00:13.260 --> 00:14.260 name 01:18.160 --> 01:20.327 Good morning ladies and gentlemen . On 01:20.327 --> 01:22.438 behalf of Lieutenant General Benjamin 01:22.438 --> 01:24.604 Hu . Watson , the Commanding General , 01:24.604 --> 01:26.438 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force , 01:26.438 --> 01:26.360 welcome to the change of command 01:26.360 --> 01:28.980 ceremony where Colonel Chris P . Mizoka 01:29.239 --> 01:31.183 will relinquish command to Colonel 01:31.183 --> 01:33.550 Jason R . Laird . Today's ceremony is 01:33.550 --> 01:35.439 being executed by the Marines and 01:35.439 --> 01:37.383 sailors of the thirty-first Marine 01:37.383 --> 01:39.494 Expeditionary Unit . We would like to 01:39.494 --> 01:41.661 recognize our distinguished guests . A 01:41.661 --> 01:43.494 special thank you to all general 01:43.494 --> 01:45.739 officers , admirals , commanders , 01:46.050 --> 01:48.180 senior enlisted advisors , and our 01:48.180 --> 01:50.124 partners from the amphibious Rapid 01:50.139 --> 01:52.472 Deployment Brigade for joining us today . 01:52.980 --> 01:54.869 Ladies and gentlemen , a round of 01:54.869 --> 01:57.091 applause for our distinguished guests . 02:05.940 --> 02:07.940 The commander of troops for today's 02:07.940 --> 02:10.107 ceremony is Lieutenant Colonel Chester 02:10.107 --> 02:12.329 T . Carter , Executive Officer , Shirty 02:12.329 --> 02:15.429 Hurst Marine Expeditionary Unit . Yeah . 02:16.350 --> 02:16.910 For it . 02:28.889 --> 02:31.056 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise for 02:31.056 --> 02:33.056 the invocation given by the Command 02:33.056 --> 02:35.278 chaplain , Lieutenant Commander Lou R . 02:35.278 --> 02:37.445 Dundon , United States Navy , Chaplain 02:37.445 --> 02:36.929 Corps . 02:43.059 --> 02:44.059 Let us pray . 02:46.910 --> 02:49.410 Lord , our beloved nation needs a force , 02:50.110 --> 02:52.443 ready to fight for freedoms , of course . 02:53.009 --> 02:55.320 While there are various warrior teams , 02:55.809 --> 02:58.050 the most prepared and lethal we call 02:58.050 --> 03:01.199 the Marines . With honed expertise 03:01.199 --> 03:03.366 based on what they do , unless we need 03:03.366 --> 03:05.366 all the capabilities , then we call 03:05.366 --> 03:07.740 them mute . Thank you from MUSE for 03:07.740 --> 03:10.419 liberty employed , especially the 31st 03:10.419 --> 03:12.639 forward deployed . We pray with 03:12.639 --> 03:15.160 gratitude for her brave commander who 03:15.160 --> 03:17.759 cared for his marines with boldness and 03:17.759 --> 03:20.649 candor . Plus Colonel Ethiopa now 03:20.649 --> 03:23.369 returning to Quantico lands , reunited 03:23.369 --> 03:25.729 with his family , his biggest fans . 03:26.520 --> 03:28.687 Inspire Colonel Laird and his family , 03:28.687 --> 03:31.160 whose support defending America and her 03:31.160 --> 03:34.990 allies is always a team sport . As this 03:34.990 --> 03:36.823 change of command carries on the 03:36.823 --> 03:39.190 mission and the thirty-first m brings 03:39.190 --> 03:42.350 to fruition expeditionary warfare in 03:42.350 --> 03:45.149 sea , land , and sky performed by the 03:45.149 --> 03:48.630 best who live by semper fi . Amen 03:55.110 --> 03:57.443 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 04:01.240 --> 04:04.570 group . Present-day parades in the 04:04.570 --> 04:06.681 Marine Corps have their basis in both 04:06.681 --> 04:08.514 history and tradition . The mass 04:08.514 --> 04:10.737 formation of troops on one long line at 04:10.737 --> 04:12.626 close intervals made possible the 04:12.626 --> 04:14.848 massing of firepower from muzzle-loaded 04:14.848 --> 04:16.959 muskets of yesterday . In those early 04:16.959 --> 04:19.292 days , the line of battle was just that , 04:19.292 --> 04:21.510 a line of 2 or 3 ranks and looked much 04:21.510 --> 04:23.677 like the parade formation you're about 04:23.677 --> 04:25.788 to see today . The adjutant forms the 04:25.788 --> 04:26.788 line for battle . 04:36.600 --> 04:39.450 F4 that's 1 I can't jump . That's 2 . I 04:39.450 --> 04:41.617 can't jump . That's 3 . I can't jump . 04:41.649 --> 04:42.649 S4 I can jump . 04:45.859 --> 04:48.081 That's 6 . I can't jump that I can do . 04:54.760 --> 04:55.760 It's called . 05:14.869 --> 05:16.980 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise to 05:16.980 --> 05:19.147 the plane of the Japanese and American 05:19.147 --> 05:20.202 national anthems . 07:33.200 --> 07:35.533 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 07:37.700 --> 07:38.700 Oh 07:51.019 --> 07:52.019 It 08:09.000 --> 08:11.140 Right Oh 08:21.390 --> 08:22.390 Let 08:27.739 --> 08:28.739 Lord 08:34.820 --> 08:35.820 Oh 08:47.460 --> 08:49.404 Headquarter , that's one . All are 08:49.404 --> 08:50.404 accounted for . 08:53.200 --> 08:54.978 S2 all present or caterpillar . 08:59.119 --> 09:01.175 That's 3 , all present are accounted 09:01.175 --> 09:05.039 for . S4 , all 09:05.039 --> 09:06.595 present are accounted for . 09:09.289 --> 09:11.400 That's it . All present are accounted 09:11.400 --> 09:15.210 for . 7 , 09:15.299 --> 09:17.077 all present are accounted for . 09:21.130 --> 09:22.852 Sir , all present on account . 09:27.599 --> 09:28.599 I 09:37.169 --> 09:37.830 26 . 09:49.229 --> 09:50.229 See , hey . 09:55.890 --> 09:56.580 Officer 10:01.700 --> 10:02.700 At the command 10:06.390 --> 10:08.446 and salute the commander of troops . 10:08.710 --> 10:11.479 Historically . That the commanding 10:11.479 --> 10:13.201 officer would issue orders and 10:13.201 --> 10:15.880 instructions to the . It would also 10:15.880 --> 10:18.047 afford the commander an opportunity to 10:18.047 --> 10:20.269 provide last minute encouragement prior 10:20.269 --> 10:22.059 to battle . Look 10:35.179 --> 10:37.119 Of that . 10:40.369 --> 10:41.369 Yeah . 10:56.250 --> 10:57.960 That right thanks . 11:01.760 --> 11:03.482 Now taking his position in the 11:03.482 --> 11:05.482 reviewing area is Brigadier General 11:05.482 --> 11:07.427 Ryan M . Hoyle , Deputy Commanding 11:07.427 --> 11:09.371 General , 3rd Marine Expeditionary 11:09.371 --> 11:09.299 Force . 11:13.390 --> 11:14.390 that . 11:20.429 --> 11:23.799 Yeah , free . Ladies and gentlemen , 11:24.059 --> 11:25.892 please rise for honors Brigadier 11:25.892 --> 11:26.892 General Hoyle . 11:43.229 --> 11:45.549 Thank you . Please be seated . Staff , 11:45.559 --> 11:46.559 order . 11:50.590 --> 11:51.590 Oh . 11:58.080 --> 11:59.802 Now taking his position in the 11:59.802 --> 12:01.636 reviewing area is the commanding 12:01.636 --> 12:03.636 officer , 31st Marine Expeditionary 12:03.636 --> 12:05.524 Unit , Colonel Chris P . Mizioa . 12:07.669 --> 12:07.989 Pre 12:13.080 --> 12:14.719 Yeah , free , oh . 12:18.130 --> 12:19.130 Yeah , order . 12:31.239 --> 12:33.406 Sergeant Major , present the colors of 12:33.406 --> 12:35.309 commanding officers . Ladies and 12:35.309 --> 12:37.031 gentlemen , we now come to the 12:37.031 --> 12:39.031 ceremony's most solemn moment , the 12:39.031 --> 12:41.198 actual passing of command . The battle 12:41.198 --> 12:42.976 colors of the Marine Corps unit 12:42.976 --> 12:44.531 symbolize the authority and 12:44.531 --> 12:46.087 accountability of command . 12:46.087 --> 12:48.031 Transferring the colors during the 12:48.031 --> 12:50.142 ceremony symbolizes the relinquishing 12:50.142 --> 12:52.253 of command by Colonel Mizoka , and by 12:52.253 --> 12:54.309 accepting the colors , Colonel Laird 12:54.309 --> 12:56.476 accepts command and confirms his total 12:56.476 --> 12:58.587 commitment to the Marines and sailors 12:58.587 --> 13:00.698 that he will command . Sergeant Major 13:00.698 --> 13:02.753 Julio A . Mercedes is delivering the 13:02.753 --> 13:04.698 colors to the commanding officer . 13:04.698 --> 13:05.698 Breath . 13:09.580 --> 13:13.479 That is art . From Commandant of the 13:13.479 --> 13:15.400 Marine Corps to Colonel Chris P . 13:15.520 --> 13:18.239 Mizoko , subject , relinquishment of 13:18.239 --> 13:21.760 command . Effective 1000 for August 13:21.760 --> 13:24.119 2026 , you stand relieved as the 13:24.119 --> 13:26.080 commanding officer , 31st Marine 13:26.080 --> 13:28.247 Expeditionary Unit , and are to report 13:28.247 --> 13:30.429 for the director . Expeditionary 13:30.429 --> 13:32.596 Warfare School , Quantico , Virginia . 13:32.596 --> 13:34.789 Signed Eric M . Smith , General , 13:35.020 --> 13:37.242 United States Marine Corps , Commannock 13:37.242 --> 13:40.190 Marine Corps . From Comando the Marine 13:40.190 --> 13:42.630 Corps to Colonel Jason R . Laird , 13:43.260 --> 13:45.149 subject , assumption of command . 13:45.520 --> 13:49.400 Effective 10:014 August 2026 , you will 13:49.400 --> 13:51.456 assume your duties as the commanding 13:51.456 --> 13:53.456 officer , 31st Marine Expeditionary 13:53.456 --> 13:56.159 Unit . Signed Eric M . Smith , General , 13:56.400 --> 13:58.511 United States Marine Corps , commando 13:58.511 --> 13:59.733 of the Marine Corps . 14:05.359 --> 14:06.380 Yeah . Or . 14:22.190 --> 14:23.190 me . 14:25.919 --> 14:29.119 Yeah parade , right . Ladies and 14:29.119 --> 14:31.230 gentlemen , Brigadier General Boyle . 14:32.929 --> 14:35.280 All right , team , uh , great day today . 14:35.969 --> 14:39.099 Uh , Turning over , uh , a 14:39.099 --> 14:41.869 fantastic organization here and , uh , 14:41.900 --> 14:44.011 before we get there though , we gotta 14:44.011 --> 14:46.380 thank , uh , Sar Major Mercedes and 14:46.380 --> 14:48.547 these Marines that are standing behind 14:48.547 --> 14:50.769 us because headquarters elements , uh , 14:50.769 --> 14:53.619 don't get paid to march and to do a 14:53.619 --> 14:55.897 post-order drill , but I tell you what , 14:55.897 --> 14:57.786 they just execute it with extreme 14:57.786 --> 14:59.841 precision , uh , really proud , they 14:59.841 --> 15:02.008 look great . So for the Marines behind 15:02.008 --> 15:03.786 me and uh sailors and for our . 15:12.609 --> 15:14.690 You all make everything , uh , just 15:14.690 --> 15:16.912 that much better , so it's great , uh , 15:16.979 --> 15:19.146 to be here in Tree Bath and have the 3 15:19.146 --> 15:21.201 Bath band , uh , here today for this 15:21.201 --> 15:23.570 event . So , uh , thanks uh for what 15:23.570 --> 15:26.010 you do , uh , another round real quick . 15:31.070 --> 15:33.539 Sir , uh , thanks for , uh , letting me 15:33.539 --> 15:35.799 do this today and , uh , and for the 15:35.799 --> 15:37.632 steady hand that you have here . 15:38.869 --> 15:41.036 Weakness all , uh , it's , it's been a 15:41.036 --> 15:44.799 pleasure . continue This money , 15:44.979 --> 15:48.130 uh , you know , obviously the life of a , 15:48.159 --> 15:50.530 uh , of a sailor and a marine is 15:50.530 --> 15:52.890 usually , uh , being deployed , uh , 15:52.989 --> 15:55.539 and , uh , but being here in Okinawa , 15:55.780 --> 15:57.947 uh , and being , uh , a resident there 15:57.947 --> 16:01.390 at Camp 4 . to have To honor 16:01.940 --> 16:05.630 the navy aspects of this . We couldn't 16:05.630 --> 16:09.479 do Uh , to my fellow 16:09.479 --> 16:11.880 general officers , um , thanks for 16:11.880 --> 16:14.619 being here , uh , representing MCI PAC , 16:15.000 --> 16:18.440 um , the MLG , and the M that provides 16:18.440 --> 16:20.700 the capabilities , uh , to , to this , 16:20.760 --> 16:23.119 uh , expeditionary force in readiness . 16:23.200 --> 16:26.070 So , uh , thanks , uh , Rizzo , thanks , 16:26.109 --> 16:29.229 uh , our . me . 16:31.450 --> 16:35.159 Today . Hey , um , today is about that 16:35.159 --> 16:37.326 passage of command , uh , that you all 16:37.326 --> 16:39.640 witnessed here , um , but I'd just like 16:39.640 --> 16:41.751 to put it in layman's terms because I 16:41.751 --> 16:43.640 think , uh , many times us in the 16:43.640 --> 16:45.840 military , we talk , uh , a good game 16:45.840 --> 16:47.896 and we're like , what exactly is the 16:47.896 --> 16:49.840 change of command . The thing that 16:49.840 --> 16:51.840 everyone probably recognizes in the 16:51.840 --> 16:53.951 relay race and the handing off of the 16:53.951 --> 16:56.062 baton . The colors are the baton that 16:56.062 --> 16:58.479 got handed off today and in the relay 16:58.479 --> 17:00.940 race , every single runner that comes 17:00.940 --> 17:04.010 after the first one . is usually that 17:04.010 --> 17:07.140 much faster than the first run and 17:07.140 --> 17:09.900 continues to run and that's the epitome 17:09.900 --> 17:11.979 of the passage of command and the 17:11.979 --> 17:14.201 transfer of the authority that occurred 17:14.201 --> 17:16.423 today is the colors get passed from the 17:16.423 --> 17:18.939 one commander who took that unit to new 17:18.939 --> 17:21.780 heights and then the next commander 17:21.780 --> 17:25.510 takes it . And he continues to run 17:25.760 --> 17:28.760 at a faster clip and uh rise to it to 17:28.760 --> 17:31.040 the next level . That's how successful 17:31.040 --> 17:33.160 commands , that's how cultures get 17:33.160 --> 17:35.359 built , and that's what the 17:35.359 --> 17:38.550 thirty-first mu is known for today . Uh , 17:38.599 --> 17:42.010 the 31st mu . Provides options to 17:42.010 --> 17:44.569 national leaders , whether it be the 17:44.569 --> 17:48.310 FFCG to the pack fleet commander to 17:48.310 --> 17:52.199 CPAO at NOACO , or in the case of the 17:52.199 --> 17:54.421 most recent deployment to the Secretary 17:54.421 --> 17:56.588 of War and the President of the United 17:56.588 --> 17:58.750 States . This organization embarks 17:58.750 --> 18:00.969 aboard 3 amphibious warships and gets 18:00.969 --> 18:04.329 underway with about 12 hours' notice , 18:04.569 --> 18:07.439 um , and starts heading south . They 18:07.439 --> 18:09.717 don't know exactly where they're going , 18:09.717 --> 18:11.828 they just know that they're headed to 18:11.828 --> 18:13.772 the 5th Fleet AOR , but they start 18:13.772 --> 18:15.661 planning and they start providing 18:15.661 --> 18:17.883 options to those senior leaders of what 18:17.883 --> 18:20.050 they can do . And what forces they can 18:20.050 --> 18:21.939 provide , whether it's fixed wing 18:21.939 --> 18:24.739 aviation from our F-35 Bravos to 18:24.739 --> 18:28.520 provide uh uh . Lethal means to 18:28.520 --> 18:30.687 targets that are there or whether it's 18:30.687 --> 18:33.229 the uh tilt rotor , they can put uh 18:33.229 --> 18:37.119 infantry marines on an X um and and 18:37.119 --> 18:40.520 uh that that's what they do and they do 18:40.520 --> 18:44.439 it all with the leadership of the MCO . 18:45.650 --> 18:49.280 And the command all That's the secret 18:49.280 --> 18:51.619 sauce to this organization , I think , 18:51.959 --> 18:55.619 um . A lot of credit goes to the 11 18:55.859 --> 18:59.739 commanders that Colonel Izioas had 18:59.739 --> 19:02.819 the pleasure of serving with , uh , the 19:02.819 --> 19:05.300 2 operations officers , the 2 executive 19:05.300 --> 19:08.109 officers , and the countless staff 19:08.109 --> 19:11.130 officers . here today , but Colonel 19:11.130 --> 19:14.089 Nzoka , uh , is able to provide 19:14.089 --> 19:17.050 mentorship to them , leadership , risk 19:17.050 --> 19:20.729 calculations , perspective , um , and 19:20.729 --> 19:24.400 he did it all with a humble spirit . Uh , 19:24.920 --> 19:26.864 with pride because as Marines it's 19:26.864 --> 19:28.920 really hard to be humble , uh , when 19:28.920 --> 19:31.209 we're talking about our own units , um , 19:31.790 --> 19:34.123 because we all want to be the best . So , 19:34.123 --> 19:36.319 uh , and Chris , I think you did a 19:36.319 --> 19:38.760 phenomenal job and you should hold your 19:38.760 --> 19:42.130 head high today , uh . As the former 19:42.130 --> 19:44.300 commanding officer of the 31st year , 19:45.010 --> 19:48.560 um , and heading to EWS to , uh , 19:48.569 --> 19:51.689 continue to , uh , give , uh , what we 19:51.689 --> 19:53.930 need to our expeditionary warriors in 19:53.930 --> 19:56.130 the , uh , company grade ranks that 19:56.130 --> 19:58.130 will one day fill out the formation 19:58.410 --> 20:02.079 that you see behind us . So thank 20:02.079 --> 20:05.939 you , I , I know . 222 days 20:05.939 --> 20:08.550 deployed since November , 13 months out 20:08.550 --> 20:11.229 of the 26 months commands who were 20:11.229 --> 20:14.109 deployed . That's just another day 20:14.109 --> 20:17.739 normal for a uh new command . To be 20:17.739 --> 20:20.699 honest with you , um , and , uh , but 20:20.699 --> 20:23.959 for the 31st view , uh , 5 patrols , 20:24.449 --> 20:27.020 uh , the normal is 4 , and , uh , an 20:27.020 --> 20:29.420 extended 7 months deployment here to to 20:29.420 --> 20:31.531 cap it off , so , uh , I appreciate , 20:31.579 --> 20:33.260 uh , you , your leadership . 20:36.640 --> 20:40.400 Behind this thing Hey , to the 20:40.400 --> 20:43.439 CEO , um , Squirrel Jason . 20:44.550 --> 20:48.000 It's gonna be fun , uh . Move out of 20:48.000 --> 20:50.810 the clip uh that uh Chris left it in , 20:51.079 --> 20:54.939 um , you have . An unbelievable 20:54.939 --> 20:57.760 reputation . You've got had a uh long 20:57.760 --> 21:00.099 lead up time thanks to the deployment 21:00.199 --> 21:03.219 and uh really excited to uh continue to 21:03.219 --> 21:05.829 serve alongside you and Annette and 21:05.829 --> 21:07.839 Olivia and I know Jason's probably 21:07.839 --> 21:11.540 watching from the academy . Really 21:11.540 --> 21:15.439 proud of you . So , without 21:15.439 --> 21:17.495 any further ado , because everyone's 21:17.495 --> 21:20.359 here actually to hear Chris talk um uh 21:20.359 --> 21:22.581 as he leaves this organization , I want 21:22.581 --> 21:25.719 to uh introduce uh Savage Six Emeritus , 21:26.040 --> 21:28.670 the former CEO of 31st Mo , Chris . 21:35.400 --> 21:37.511 Man , you did sound great . Thank you 21:37.511 --> 21:39.678 for being here for the Marines . Thank 21:39.678 --> 21:39.479 you for this very professional , 21:39.599 --> 21:42.000 well-executed ceremony . This ceremony 21:42.000 --> 21:44.056 looks like it just happens . He most 21:44.056 --> 21:46.310 assuredly , not a ton of hard work and 21:46.310 --> 21:48.477 preparation when this , as mentioned , 21:48.479 --> 21:51.040 Sergeant Major Mercedes , thank you 21:51.040 --> 21:53.096 again for honoring Colonel Air and I 21:53.096 --> 21:55.579 and the unit , especially with this . 21:56.209 --> 21:58.265 General Watson , sir , thank you for 21:58.265 --> 22:00.910 being here . I really and think back 22:00.910 --> 22:03.430 very fondly my time working for you at 22:03.430 --> 22:05.486 McWill . I just regret that we would 22:05.486 --> 22:07.708 not have longer time serving together , 22:07.708 --> 22:09.819 but we might have a couple more years 22:09.819 --> 22:11.708 left and you do too . Uh , I'd be 22:11.708 --> 22:13.652 remiss if I didn't mention General 22:13.652 --> 22:15.874 Turner's contribution to Green . It was 22:15.874 --> 22:17.763 probably the best place I've ever 22:17.763 --> 22:20.041 worked in terms of fan climate culture , 22:20.041 --> 22:22.097 and I can see that it's no different 22:22.097 --> 22:24.263 under your leadership , sir . So thank 22:24.263 --> 22:26.541 you . Thank you . Uh , General Sanders , 22:26.541 --> 22:26.510 General Rizzo , General Hart , thank 22:26.510 --> 22:28.510 you for being here . It really does 22:28.510 --> 22:30.621 mean a lot to me , I'm sure . It does 22:30.621 --> 22:32.788 mean a lot to Squirrel as well . Thank 22:32.788 --> 22:34.899 you . General Hoyle , sir , thank you 22:34.899 --> 22:37.010 for the kind words and the friendship 22:37.010 --> 22:38.899 and Coaching and mentorship , the 22:38.899 --> 22:40.954 advice that you've given me over the 22:40.954 --> 22:43.177 years and especially the overwatch that 22:43.177 --> 22:45.232 you provided while we were forward . 22:45.232 --> 22:47.454 There's just lots of times where I just 22:47.454 --> 22:47.430 needed something fixed . I needed help 22:47.430 --> 22:49.597 with something . I needed advice for a 22:49.597 --> 22:51.829 sounding board , and you were always 22:51.829 --> 22:53.885 there and you're willing to dig in , 22:53.959 --> 22:56.949 and I think probably make some people 22:56.949 --> 22:59.189 uncomfortable and tell things , speak 22:59.189 --> 23:01.356 truth to power and , and , and you got 23:01.356 --> 23:03.578 to see the results . So I , I really do 23:03.578 --> 23:05.689 appreciate that . Thank you , Chief . 23:05.689 --> 23:07.911 The culture of compliance , it was like 23:07.911 --> 23:09.911 the missing piece , and I really do 23:09.911 --> 23:11.967 appreciate all the work that you did 23:11.967 --> 23:14.189 because you had to build a view every 6 23:14.189 --> 23:13.800 months and everybody wants to 23:13.800 --> 23:15.911 relitigate everything , and sometimes 23:15.911 --> 23:18.133 you're just a little bit , no , this is 23:18.133 --> 23:20.189 the way it is . The CG signed this , 23:20.189 --> 23:19.650 you have to do this . You need these 23:19.650 --> 23:21.539 people , just trust me . You were 23:21.539 --> 23:23.761 willing to . Do that and what it did is 23:23.761 --> 23:25.706 prevented , you know , the XO from 23:25.706 --> 23:27.761 having to have these conversations , 23:27.761 --> 23:27.650 something that is ranked differential , 23:27.729 --> 23:29.840 so I really do appreciate that , plus 23:29.840 --> 23:31.673 the book recommendations and the 23:31.673 --> 23:33.673 conversations , one of the people I 23:33.673 --> 23:35.840 look forward to more than ever talking 23:35.840 --> 23:38.173 to and you always answer the phone . So , 23:38.173 --> 23:40.285 so thank you . Thank you . Uh , staff 23:40.285 --> 23:42.451 and commanders wanna talk a little bit 23:42.451 --> 23:45.650 about this . I'll say this . Um , I'm 23:45.650 --> 23:47.817 not really that good , but I'm lucky . 23:47.817 --> 23:49.706 I'm consistently lucky , and I've 23:49.706 --> 23:51.650 always had this incredible cast of 23:51.650 --> 23:53.761 characters around me . There are some 23:53.761 --> 23:55.983 characters here , believe me , but just 23:55.983 --> 23:58.317 humor me while I talk to everybody here . 23:58.317 --> 24:00.650 So , first , Ariel , the , the adjutant , 24:00.650 --> 24:02.872 you are the only staff officer that was 24:02.872 --> 24:04.928 here the whole time I was . I know , 24:04.928 --> 24:07.039 Ferner , Fabian's here , but to watch 24:07.039 --> 24:09.094 you over the past few years grow and 24:09.094 --> 24:10.983 develop , you're , you're a fully 24:10.983 --> 24:12.817 fledged qualified MAAA officer . 24:12.817 --> 24:14.880 Officer , you're just aggressive and 24:14.880 --> 24:17.047 intelligent , and it's just incredibly 24:17.047 --> 24:19.047 working for you , especially seeing 24:19.047 --> 24:21.269 your accomplishments and accolades that 24:21.269 --> 24:21.160 you've received here . Thank you , 24:21.599 --> 24:23.821 Jerry . I get a kick seeing him dressed 24:23.821 --> 24:25.932 like a marine like that . Jerry , and 24:25.932 --> 24:27.988 jazz fingers , he was an interesting 24:27.988 --> 24:30.210 man in the map that he drove Boss Wayne 24:30.210 --> 24:32.377 Reeves this fall , knew he was right . 24:32.377 --> 24:34.210 Some of the conversations , uh , 24:34.210 --> 24:36.266 pushing information back and forth , 24:36.266 --> 24:36.020 and then he changed my mind . And then 24:36.199 --> 24:38.199 what's really significant is you're 24:38.199 --> 24:40.421 very operational minded . Do things and 24:40.640 --> 24:42.807 that's the reward for to be able to do 24:42.807 --> 24:44.973 things . You get to do things and then 24:44.973 --> 24:47.140 you you get to do things , you do more 24:47.140 --> 24:49.362 things because you can . But uh I would 24:49.362 --> 24:48.739 always see him walking around the ship . 24:49.040 --> 24:51.096 He always looked like he just needed 24:51.096 --> 24:53.207 more work and he's just like speaking 24:53.207 --> 24:53.199 English , sir , what else do you got 24:53.199 --> 24:55.255 for me to do ? And I always gave him 24:55.255 --> 24:57.477 more work and he always did it well and 24:57.477 --> 24:59.810 stuff that was frankly out of your lane , 24:59.810 --> 25:02.469 so thank you . Um , Dan . The world's 25:02.469 --> 25:05.079 newest man . Uh , I checked up on you . 25:05.099 --> 25:07.043 You weren't that the darkest worst 25:07.043 --> 25:09.043 thing to play . You know , I didn't 25:09.043 --> 25:11.155 think I'd ever have an o like Kirby , 25:11.155 --> 25:13.155 and you showed up very different in 25:13.155 --> 25:14.932 style but you achieved the same 25:14.932 --> 25:16.821 incredible results , and , uh , I 25:16.821 --> 25:18.821 really wish you the best of luck in 25:18.821 --> 25:20.932 command . And I'm sure it's not gonna 25:20.932 --> 25:23.210 be your only command opportunity , but , 25:23.210 --> 25:25.377 uh , it was great . You know , I was a 25:25.377 --> 25:27.488 UAO and I kept the hat and I only had 25:27.488 --> 25:29.599 to put it on once or twice , and it's 25:29.599 --> 25:28.819 just for things that I do . I can talk 25:28.819 --> 25:31.041 the flag off for the rest of the time , 25:31.041 --> 25:33.152 you know , I , I , I had somebody for 25:33.152 --> 25:35.375 operation , right , who allowed me to . 25:35.410 --> 25:39.339 Actually Uh , Amani , very similar , 25:39.489 --> 25:41.433 you know , Joe , Joe , Joe , Joe , 25:41.433 --> 25:43.600 everybody loved Joe , spoke Japanese . 25:43.600 --> 25:45.656 Joe's the man . He was , he is . And 25:45.656 --> 25:47.656 you strode in here day one , really 25:47.656 --> 25:49.767 effective . I like to joke that , you 25:49.767 --> 25:51.822 know , now that we have Daven , what 25:51.822 --> 25:53.822 are you gonna do all day ? He makes 25:53.822 --> 25:55.933 tractors for you , but you're just an 25:55.933 --> 25:57.711 incredibly impressive officer , 25:57.711 --> 25:59.545 incredibly detailed , thorough , 25:59.545 --> 26:01.545 detail-oriented and thorough , um , 26:01.545 --> 26:03.767 just watching you , all the things that 26:03.767 --> 26:05.878 I think I'm . Really strong man , but 26:05.878 --> 26:07.933 you're an incredible officer , and I 26:07.933 --> 26:07.859 look forward to seeing your name on 26:07.859 --> 26:10.339 lists next to important units in the 26:10.339 --> 26:13.910 future . Scott Como , right ? The 26:13.910 --> 26:16.132 previous commo , Jacob Cramer , he's in 26:16.132 --> 26:17.966 command right now . He's been in 26:17.966 --> 26:20.021 command for a year . Were you a year 26:20.021 --> 26:22.188 ago ? You were what , captain ? Yeah , 26:22.188 --> 26:22.069 you maybe had this job a little bit 26:22.069 --> 26:24.180 before your time and you punched well 26:24.180 --> 26:26.236 above your weight , you swung hard , 26:26.236 --> 26:28.347 all the , all the fun stuff , right ? 26:28.347 --> 26:30.291 Crypto roll over and command 3 and 26:30.291 --> 26:32.458 aviation comms working group . I'm not 26:32.458 --> 26:32.349 gonna hold the Great Dipper Desert of 26:32.349 --> 26:35.270 2026 against you , but , uh , if you 26:35.270 --> 26:37.492 know , you know , I was cool , I was in 26:37.492 --> 26:39.548 the dark days . Probably nobody even 26:39.548 --> 26:41.548 more so than me . Scott , you did a 26:41.548 --> 26:43.659 great job and I appreciate it . Thank 26:43.659 --> 26:45.992 you . And then Corey , right ? You know , 26:45.992 --> 26:48.048 he'd spent his career learning about 26:48.048 --> 26:50.270 surface fires and it was the only thing 26:50.270 --> 26:52.326 that we never asked you to work on , 26:52.326 --> 26:54.326 but you really were the manager and 26:54.326 --> 26:56.381 synchronizer of effects , and I know 26:56.381 --> 26:58.492 sometimes you felt like the stra IC , 26:58.492 --> 26:58.410 but it was a tool . We needed to create 26:58.410 --> 27:00.632 effect and went out there . I really do 27:00.632 --> 27:02.688 appreciate your willingness to learn 27:02.688 --> 27:04.521 and , and your humility and your 27:04.521 --> 27:06.577 willingness to to trial by error and 27:06.577 --> 27:08.688 just keep . And you and Jerry again , 27:08.688 --> 27:10.799 some of the side projects , the whole 27:10.799 --> 27:13.077 Nina and Axis of Eagle was really , uh , 27:13.077 --> 27:15.188 it was really fun . It was really fun 27:15.188 --> 27:17.132 to watch . So , so thank you . All 27:17.132 --> 27:19.299 right , Major Lindsay , the lawyer and 27:19.299 --> 27:21.466 the H&S company commander , right ? In 27:21.466 --> 27:23.632 a , in a good unit , there's a healthy 27:23.632 --> 27:25.410 tension between the H&S company 27:25.410 --> 27:27.466 commander and the staff sections and 27:27.466 --> 27:29.743 Bad units , they both kind of say , oh , 27:29.743 --> 27:31.743 the Marines are your problem . No , 27:31.743 --> 27:33.910 they're your problem , problem . Let's 27:33.910 --> 27:33.880 start there . We never had that . The 27:33.880 --> 27:36.310 line was , it was blurry and it was 27:36.449 --> 27:38.449 squiggly at times , but there was a 27:38.449 --> 27:40.969 line , and the Marines never got left 27:40.969 --> 27:43.136 in the lurch , right ? I , I really do 27:43.136 --> 27:45.530 appreciate that . So , thank you . Talk 27:45.530 --> 27:47.697 a little about the commanders here . I 27:47.697 --> 27:49.808 did have 11 commanding officers , and 27:49.808 --> 27:51.863 we're not gonna talk about all , but 27:51.863 --> 27:53.752 we'll talk about the 4 that are . 27:53.752 --> 27:56.086 Nacho's not able to , and Nacho is here . 27:56.086 --> 27:58.197 Chainsaw is not able to be here , but 27:58.197 --> 28:00.530 the two squadron COs Nacho and Chainsaw , 28:00.530 --> 28:02.586 combat flight leadership , excellent 28:02.586 --> 28:02.069 maintenance , great command climate , 28:02.229 --> 28:04.829 great , great room , culture , always 28:04.829 --> 28:06.790 there . Real magcap officers . You 28:06.790 --> 28:09.430 never had this like . Never never had 28:09.430 --> 28:11.597 that conversation with myself . That's 28:11.597 --> 28:14.280 the , the total package , right ? Ben . 28:15.010 --> 28:17.121 Yeah , right , I told you this . Odds 28:17.121 --> 28:19.343 are I could shoot great battalions that 28:19.343 --> 28:19.079 you would have been a bad battalion . 28:19.140 --> 28:21.251 You weren't another great battalion , 28:21.251 --> 28:23.418 great leadership with you and Sergeant 28:23.418 --> 28:25.584 Major Reynolds were able to turn out , 28:25.584 --> 28:27.473 you know , the , the DLT staff is 28:27.473 --> 28:29.584 always like this new staff adjacent , 28:29.584 --> 28:31.584 the overflow . We don't have enough 28:31.584 --> 28:33.529 energy to do something . The extra 28:33.529 --> 28:35.751 bandwidth really helpful in your combat 28:35.751 --> 28:39.510 leadership . PBSS really . Maggie , 28:39.829 --> 28:42.069 the two most important enabling 28:42.069 --> 28:44.013 operations that we had was getting 28:44.013 --> 28:46.180 Rushmore loaded and getting everything 28:46.180 --> 28:48.069 out . You would have been nowhere 28:48.069 --> 28:50.125 without that . Thank you . Not happy 28:50.125 --> 28:52.291 with you . And then for command on the 28:52.291 --> 28:54.291 shore in UDB all the day on stay on 28:54.291 --> 28:56.458 management on both of those things , I 28:56.458 --> 28:58.569 never lost a minute of sleep thinking 28:58.569 --> 29:01.170 about it because I know . An incredible 29:01.170 --> 29:04.400 job . Thank you . Thank you . All right , 29:05.630 --> 29:08.180 uh , Ho . Working with your amphibious 29:08.180 --> 29:10.969 rapid deployment regiment was one of 29:10.969 --> 29:13.130 the professional highlights of my 29:13.130 --> 29:16.229 career . I Honored and privileged to 29:16.229 --> 29:19.390 fight alongside your ARDR and I think 29:19.390 --> 29:21.612 you also have a bright future and we're 29:21.612 --> 29:24.750 not done seeing you in on this . Thank 29:24.750 --> 29:26.750 you for being here . It really does 29:26.910 --> 29:29.132 mean a lot to me . Uh , the Commodore , 29:29.132 --> 29:31.188 Tim , he's not here , but , uh , you 29:31.188 --> 29:33.354 know , it's funny , Tim and I , strong 29:33.354 --> 29:35.466 personalities , kind of watching each 29:35.466 --> 29:37.521 other across DTC wondering , is this 29:37.521 --> 29:37.369 gonna work ? I don't know if this is 29:37.369 --> 29:39.425 gonna work . This isn't gonna work . 29:39.425 --> 29:41.702 And then we met each other . It worked . 29:41.702 --> 29:41.630 It worked great . It's kind of siege 29:41.630 --> 29:43.574 mentality , me and him against the 29:43.574 --> 29:45.741 world . It was a lot of , it was a lot 29:45.741 --> 29:45.430 of fun . I like to think that he was 29:45.430 --> 29:47.541 the Richmond Kelly Turner , my , uh , 29:47.541 --> 29:49.374 my Alman Matt Smith , but he was 29:49.374 --> 29:51.541 definitely , uh , a fighting sailor in 29:51.541 --> 29:53.541 the tradition of , of bull Hallsy . 29:53.541 --> 29:55.652 Could have been a nightmare , right ? 29:55.652 --> 29:57.541 But it wasn't . It was actually a 29:57.541 --> 29:59.486 really good experience . So , uh , 29:59.486 --> 30:01.597 thank you for everything . Yeah . All 30:01.597 --> 30:04.989 right . The XO , the reluctant magcap 30:04.989 --> 30:07.170 officer , right ? You did it though , 30:07.250 --> 30:09.306 and you solved a lot of problems . I 30:09.306 --> 30:11.417 also was an XO and never wants to put 30:11.417 --> 30:13.619 the XO hat back on , and I really do 30:13.630 --> 30:15.574 appreciate that . I think the best 30:15.574 --> 30:17.741 thing I can say about you , yeah , you 30:17.741 --> 30:19.797 can solve problems , or we can solve 30:19.797 --> 30:19.449 problems to preventing them , right ? 30:19.550 --> 30:21.828 You did that by this constant dialogue , 30:21.828 --> 30:24.069 up , down , across , constantly , you 30:24.069 --> 30:26.849 know , kind of bad . Just do that and 30:26.849 --> 30:29.420 don't talk and it festers and it boils 30:29.420 --> 30:31.587 over . You got this big disaster right 30:31.587 --> 30:33.809 man . You never , you never had . Thank 30:33.809 --> 30:35.920 you , right ? And then sounding board 30:35.920 --> 30:38.031 and I'm sure you were the CEO support 30:38.031 --> 30:40.253 group . What is he doing ? He's crazy . 30:40.253 --> 30:42.309 He's gotta talk him off this ledge . 30:42.309 --> 30:44.364 He's gonna , no way . I'm sure you . 30:46.170 --> 30:47.781 I never found out about it . 30:50.579 --> 30:53.680 All right , Sergeant Major . You ever 30:53.680 --> 30:56.199 heard somebody say , I want you to tell 30:56.199 --> 30:58.532 me the things that I don't want to hear , 30:58.532 --> 31:00.588 or ever had somebody say , I'm gonna 31:00.588 --> 31:02.755 tell you . here . Richardson , if they 31:02.755 --> 31:04.810 tell you these things that you don't 31:04.810 --> 31:06.866 want to hear . And you're not really 31:06.866 --> 31:08.921 upset about it , you didn't actually 31:08.921 --> 31:08.550 hear something you didn't want to hear . 31:10.140 --> 31:12.196 He would knock on the door and say , 31:12.196 --> 31:14.307 hey , can we talk ? And I immediately 31:14.307 --> 31:16.529 filled with a sense of tragic . What do 31:16.529 --> 31:18.640 I do now ? What is it ? Can we talk ? 31:18.640 --> 31:21.459 I'm really upset . And then about 45 31:21.459 --> 31:23.626 minutes later , I get over it and I do 31:23.626 --> 31:25.570 exactly what he said and it always 31:25.570 --> 31:27.403 works and it's always in my best 31:27.403 --> 31:29.515 interest , in the U's best interest , 31:29.515 --> 31:31.626 in the Marines' best interest , and I 31:31.626 --> 31:31.380 really do appreciate it . Oh , by the 31:31.380 --> 31:33.547 way , that's happened to me exactly no 31:33.547 --> 31:35.491 times in my career before this . I 31:35.491 --> 31:37.713 really do think that managing myself is 31:37.713 --> 31:40.047 one of the harder things about this and , 31:40.047 --> 31:41.991 uh , hey , thank you . No enforced 31:41.991 --> 31:45.780 errors , no self . Right ? No , you 31:45.780 --> 31:48.140 know , apology tour from the CEO which 31:48.140 --> 31:50.362 you've seen , right ? Maybe it happened 31:50.362 --> 31:52.418 to me once or twice , 05 commander . 31:53.270 --> 31:55.326 Thank you . And I'll tell you what , 31:55.326 --> 31:57.381 you're also a good guy to spend time 31:57.381 --> 31:59.214 with , right ? The golfing , the 31:59.214 --> 32:01.326 sopranos , just kind of talking . She 32:04.369 --> 32:07.150 And All right , we're gonna talk about 32:07.150 --> 32:09.372 some people that aren't here , uh , you 32:09.372 --> 32:11.594 know , my mom and dad . Dad passed away 32:11.594 --> 32:13.872 a couple of years ago , Mom , you know , 32:13.872 --> 32:16.150 the , uh , the , the , the family life , 32:16.150 --> 32:18.317 the home that my brother and I grew up 32:18.317 --> 32:18.180 with , what , what an advantage I'd 32:18.180 --> 32:20.402 like to have . I owe you everything . I 32:20.402 --> 32:22.624 really do appreciate it and , uh , love 32:22.624 --> 32:26.410 you . So , good morning , Ohio 32:26.410 --> 32:29.010 Designers . To echo one of our 32:29.010 --> 32:31.288 organization's most thoughtful leaders , 32:31.288 --> 32:33.066 I'm the new guy who hasn't done 32:33.066 --> 32:32.969 anything yet , so I'm gonna make this 32:32.969 --> 32:36.310 brief . So , um , I'd like to start by 32:37.560 --> 32:40.040 Taking command is like grabbing your 32:40.040 --> 32:42.880 tongue in a ring . Well , I'm running 32:42.880 --> 32:46.560 after Usain Bolt . You are an amazing 32:46.560 --> 32:48.893 individual and you've done great things . 32:50.619 --> 32:53.229 Just know that I'm gonna work hard . uh 32:58.180 --> 33:00.250 Not you . I would be your best if I 33:00.250 --> 33:02.472 didn't mention you . I love your little 33:02.472 --> 33:04.472 brother come a long way from flying 33:04.472 --> 33:07.250 night in that . Jason . 33:08.969 --> 33:10.913 You guys are awesome . You've been 33:10.913 --> 33:12.913 great kids , and I truly appreciate 33:12.949 --> 33:16.359 every sacrifice you made . Look forward 33:18.000 --> 33:20.819 all the amazing things . And 33:22.560 --> 33:25.150 Hello You are the foundation of our 33:25.150 --> 33:27.680 family . We all rely on . 33:29.130 --> 33:31.074 All the deployments , with all the 33:31.074 --> 33:33.380 challenges . All of the things that 33:37.400 --> 33:40.130 Additionally , The one hell of a family 33:40.130 --> 33:42.650 readiness out , so I look forward to 33:42.709 --> 33:44.820 everything that you are going to do . 33:45.930 --> 33:47.152 marines and sailors . 33:51.040 --> 33:53.262 So the Marines and sailors are the 31st 33:53.262 --> 33:55.489 year . Please know that I will work 33:55.489 --> 33:57.170 tirelessly for you . 33:59.550 --> 34:02.079 Um I 34:05.319 --> 34:06.319 You represent 34:10.030 --> 34:11.030 Unless 34:20.830 --> 34:23.052 The 31st view would like to thank Mrs . 34:23.052 --> 34:25.274 Stacy Dezoka and their daughter Claudia 34:25.274 --> 34:27.497 for their sacrifice and commitment . We 34:27.497 --> 34:29.719 would also like to welcome Ms . Annette 34:29.719 --> 34:31.774 Lair and daughter Olivia to the 31st 34:31.774 --> 34:33.719 new family . Flowers are now being 34:33.719 --> 34:35.274 presented as a token of our 34:35.274 --> 34:36.274 appreciation . 34:42.379 --> 34:43.379 You . 34:46.239 --> 34:49.239 Yeah , what's that . Ladies and 34:49.239 --> 34:51.295 gentlemen , as a tribute to our long 34:51.295 --> 34:53.517 legacy as the only permanently deployed 34:53.517 --> 34:55.350 marine force , Fight Now will be 34:55.350 --> 34:57.520 performed . This one of a kind fanfare 34:57.520 --> 34:59.709 audibly depicts the heroic history and 34:59.709 --> 35:01.765 indomitable spirit of our warriors . 35:02.280 --> 35:04.510 Commissioned in 2021 , Fight Now is 35:04.510 --> 35:06.732 dedicated to the Marines and sailors of 35:06.732 --> 35:08.954 Third Marine Expeditionary Force , past 35:08.954 --> 35:11.010 and present . If you are one of us , 35:11.399 --> 35:13.810 please stand and be recognized . At the 35:13.810 --> 35:16.060 conclusion of flight now , we request 35:16.060 --> 35:18.116 all others to stand for the plane of 35:18.116 --> 35:20.116 Anchors Away in the Marine's hymn . 36:45.219 --> 36:47.580 Of course I'd like to express my uh 36:48.969 --> 36:52.919 here and I'd like . All the 31 new 36:52.919 --> 36:56.330 uh achievement of the of the real-world 36:56.330 --> 36:58.850 operation for 6 months and I am 36:58.850 --> 37:01.010 absolutely glad all the individual 37:01.010 --> 37:03.899 simply that . What about 37:05.449 --> 37:09.250 Danika is on behalf 37:09.250 --> 37:11.669 of commanding general on previous rapid 37:11.669 --> 37:13.669 deployment period , I would like to 37:13.669 --> 37:16.290 recognize Kuma , uh , with the , uh , 37:16.300 --> 37:18.610 certificate of appreciation with the 37:18.610 --> 37:20.332 defense cooperation of metal . 37:24.530 --> 37:28.360 Ladies and gentlemen , Answer 37:28.360 --> 37:31.479 to 5100 I think like 37:33.610 --> 37:35.699 I saw Chris is your car 37:38.100 --> 37:40.500 5 100 I hate you think by jo signing 37:43.629 --> 37:44.629 you to say . 37:47.669 --> 37:51.110 I go there you go . I hate I know you 37:51.110 --> 37:53.560 can change your sign . For me they are 37:54.800 --> 37:55.800 there like a 37:57.659 --> 38:00.649 25 . Pretty eye-watering . 38:01.659 --> 38:03.969 It's a really good operation too . And 38:03.969 --> 38:05.969 then , and then going to 1000 saber 38:05.969 --> 38:08.191 with you was , I think , I think it was 38:08.191 --> 38:10.358 even better somehow , right ? That was 38:10.358 --> 38:11.691 real work . Thank you . 38:19.330 --> 38:21.439 I got I mean you got sun I am . 38:24.629 --> 38:28.540 How I must say 38:28.540 --> 38:30.979 about the but uh whatever the IGCD they 38:30.979 --> 38:32.889 uh . For the . 38:35.679 --> 38:37.639 I understand kind of mediocre PC I 38:37.639 --> 38:39.750 think that the very first new and the 38:39.750 --> 38:41.972 uh first ALDR relationshipship is going 38:41.972 --> 38:44.239 to be continued and upcoming iron phase 38:44.239 --> 38:46.280 and also the teal saber is still 38:46.280 --> 38:47.280 waiting on . 39:04.830 --> 39:06.830 Ladies and gentlemen , thank you so 39:06.830 --> 39:08.052 much . Thanks a lot . 39:13.770 --> 39:13.860 something .