Change of Responsibility Ceremony USMA

GEN Miley, GEN Franks, ADM Carter, Family, Classmates, fellow West Point teammates from the staff, faculty, coaches and administrators, distinguished guests, special guests, and especially the cadets who are the real reason why we are all here today.

Thank you for attending today’s ceremony. You have all honored Shelly and me and our Family with your attendance for this relinquishment of command and retirement of an old Soldier.

And thanks for your support and recognition and kind words. To tell the truth, It rubs against my conviction that duty is its own reward, and as General Marty Dempasey said, “those called to serve should seek no recognition for simply doing their duty”. We all owe this great country and our fellow citizens our very best. It was humbling to accept this job 5 years ago and humbling to turn it over today.

GEN Milley, thank-you for being here. And thank-you for your support of West Point over your years as our Chief. You may not remember, but one time you said to me, if it were easy, we would have had someone else. This kind of support, commitment, dedication from you means more than you will ever know. You have been our dear friend. Your presence speaks volumes. The Corps loves you and I hope you will come back soon and again and again. And on behalf of all of West Point and the entire Corps of Cadets, thank-you. And on behalf of ever one of them, they will never let you down.

Please join me in thanking this incredible band. I have sung your praises and will continue to do so. You are the most outstanding Soldiers. You inspire us. Thank-you for providing the images and the sounds to always remember this day. You are remarkable. Thank-you.

When I was thinking about coming to West Point back in 1971, the Vietnam War was going on, and all my teachers in HS had found ways not to go to war. They were all trying to convince me not to go to West Point because I would be one of those “baby killers”.

But instead I saw some of the opportunities that West Point brings, and decided to go anyway. I knew I could go two years for free and at a time when I would have to pay for my own college tuition, it sounded like a good deal.

CTLT (the 3rd LT program) was an important milestone for me. I remember going to FT Richardson with a platoon that had come back from Vietnam over the past year. The platoon was a wreck. We were conducting a movement to contact exercise where a group of about 4-5 soldiers left the formation and went off to the side of the formation and stopped. I asked the PSG what the heck they were doing, and he said, “Don’t worry about that Sir – they are just smoking some dope and will be right back with us”. The Army was in shambles back then, but I recalled that the Soldiers were thirsting for leadership. Regardless of drug problems, racial, or other ill-discipline incidents, all they wanted was the comradery from share hardships with their brothers, and to follow leaders who cared and who would lead, and lead from the front.

But it was also at that moment when I realized I could do this. And the longer I stayed, the more I was attracted to the brotherhood, and the sisterhood, and the comradery of rain paltering down the back of your neck, freezing your butt off, mosquitos bites that just would never quit, and the pure joy of accomplishing a mission knowing you have the trust and confidence of not only your immediate leaders, but also of our client in the profession of arms, the American people.

I’ll never forget Glen Marsh, my first BN commander, and the story he told us lieutenants once, of his Soldiers looking him in the eye on the airplane, on the way to Vietnam. He knew they were looking at him knowing he did everything in his power to train them and develop them, and to give them every chance to accomplish their mission and to come home back to their loved ones.

And then 10 years later as we were getting ready to deploy to Desert Shield/Desert Storm, I’ll never forget the mother of one of my LT’s driving for 2 days straight to see her son go off to war, and then looked me in the eye to see if I was worthy to lead her son and to bring him back home to his mother.

And then there were those who we were not able to bring home, like the 57 men and women from my Division in northern Iraq. I remember holding the body of LT Dan Hyde soon after he was killed in Iraq, who just a year and a half before was our 4th Regimental commander when I was his Commandant here at West Point. And then to be there comforting his Mom and Dad when the Division returned home without their son. I have worn his bracelet not only in his memory so that I will never forget his incredible sacrifice, but also to never forget the sacrifice of the men and women who have served our Country for so many years and so many wars.

And I remember SPC Brandon Marocco’s platoon greeting him at the Honolulu airport, as Brandon walked off of the plane with his two prosthetic legs and two prosthetic arms to the arms of his waiting platoon in their post deployment reunion. I remember standing in the CASH operating room on Easter morning when the doctors were trying to save Brandon’s life, and a hundred Soldiers were lined up all night donating 48 pints of blood to keep Brandon alive. 4 months earlier when I visited Brandon in Walter Reed during my R&R leave, Brandon told me he would be at Schofield to greet his platoon mates when they returned from the deployment. At the time I thought it was not practical for Brandon to be there, but this spunky little fighter would not be denied, and sure enough with 4 prosthetic limbs, he walked off of that plane to the greeting arms of his entire platoon. There was not a dry eye in the entire airport for those watching this reunion. And there was nothing, nothing more that this Soldier wanted than to be a part, once again, of his Brothers in Arms.

So today is a day of memories. There has been no shortage that have been flowing over the last few days. They – these memories of 43 years in uniform - come in so many different ways.

I remember when my father brought me to West Point on R-Day. The night before, we stayed at my grandfather’s house a couple hours away in Connecticut, and my grandfather rode with my Dad and me when we drove here to report for R-Day. My grandfather was an immigrant from Italy from the early 1900’s. He knew about West Point and what it stood for, but never saw how one of his grandsons could ever get to go to a place like this. As we got off of 9W, heading down the road past the ski slope, he yelled at my father who was driving to “stop the car”. So my father pulled over and asked him what was up. He said to my father and me, “I’m getting out; you two keep going and do what you have to do”. Then he said something I’ll never forget. He said “I am not worthy to step foot on West Point; it is sacred ground. You keep going and come back and pick me up later on”. I said “Grandpa, get in the car; let’s go; it’s going to be a long day and you’re going with us”.

I remember getting off the plane in Doha, Saudi Arabia in Desert Shield with 120 degrees of oven heat blasting us in the face. And then remember living in the desert for 7 months straight, learning how to wash your butt with water and soap in your helmet liner. And I will never forget the pure joy of coming home, getting off that airplane hugging my wife and kids, and then watching that captain hug his Mom who had come to see me about a year before that.

I will never forget the faces of old friends, Soldiers, Non-commissioned officers, mentors. Faces who had lives changed. Faces of those who disciplined me, cared for me, mentored me, and lifted me. You all are here. You know who you are.

And as we sit here on this gorgeous morning at this historic post, at this very moment, WP graduates are leading from the front as they have over the last 216 years. Away from their families. Patrolling the streets of Kandahar guarding the DMZ, bringing hope and peace to God forsaken places. They go into harm’s way to protect all of America, to stand in the gap. They have succeeded in every mission. I thank each and every one of them for their service to our country. But the greatest honor was to be one of them.

As I reflect, I am glad that I stayed on passed my free 2 years at West Point, but my next decision was whether to stay past the 5 year obligation or not. When I married my wife 22 months after I graduated, I remember telling her that she only had 3 more years to put up with being an Army spouse.

But Shelly and I grew into this and when that time came to leave, we knew we never could. I fell in love with these Soldiers, these men and women who only wanted to serve their country and to be led by leaders who cared and who held them to the highest of standards. They all are Americans, and they all want to be winners and to hang around winners. And sooner than later, I learned that I never wanted to do anything but be a Soldier and my dream has been a reality for these last 43 years.

Will I miss it? Absolutely. Absolutely. When I look in my rear view mirror, I have grown much bigger.

I will miss a steak dinner after an Army win. I will miss celebrating on the field after beating Navy for the first time in 15 years, or to win two seasons in a row on that epic snow storm game last December (sorry Ted). I will miss standing next to the Commander in Chief Trophy with Boo and Kristen, knowing what it took to be able to stand there in the first place. I will miss Coaches like Homer Smith, Tom Cahill, Jim Young, and Jeff Monken. Teammates like Cindy Jebb, Steve Gilland, Rich Clarke, JT Thomson, Diana Holland, Tim Trainor, Wayne Green and Mark Bieger. CSM’s like CSM Guden, Clark and Byers.

I will miss my teammates. The brotherhood. The sisterhood. We had to get better each day. I never wanted to let you down. The bonds we had – it is what drives you.

The Army has taught me not to be led by obstructions and setbacks, and not to be led by the naysayers, and the doubters and the quitters. And trust me – there was no shortage of them and especially in this job, and even to this day.

But the Army taught me that if we were going to win our Nation’s wars, it had to be led by winners. Winners who would lead from the front and lead with character and honor. Winners who would lay it on the line and fight with grit and relentless tenacity. Winners who would have your back no matter what. Who will encourage you no matter what. Who will stand next to you in the ugliest of times and prop you up, and if you fell, to be there to help you up.

You know who you are and I do not know where I would be without you.

So to mentors over the years. You have no idea how much I appreciate your sacrifice and commitment, and the role model you were to me. To have had the opportunity to learn from the GEN Fred Franks’, the Ray Odierno’s, the Marty Dempseys, the GEN George Casey’s, and the Mark Milley’s, and so many others. I am forever grateful to you. Your daily grind to go out and stand in the gap are lessons I will carry for the rest of my life.

And to my teammates. What you did for me is something I will never forget.

To the Support staff – working tirelessly on my behalf. To the selfless staffers of the USMA staff – who’s only desire is to accomplish USMA’s mission and to make our cadets look good.

I also think you would agree with me that the protocol team have been remarkable. They are quiet professionals whose work every day means that they will only get either an A or an F. Well today is another A – as always.

I wish I could introduce you each and every one of my personal staff. This job has a frantic pace and with so much travel we have become a family. Shelly and I have said good bye to them privately. But I would add just one more thanks. You made me a better Superintendent and left an indelible mark on me in the process.

To the incredible BOD – Boo Corrigan, Steve Gilland, Cindy Jebb and Mark Gilland. And to our DRU’s - In every aspect, in every way, and in every capacity, you have exceeded all expectations, and it is an honor to have stood in your ranks with each of you. I could not be more proud of each and every one of you.

Probably more than anything I will miss the Cadets. Over the last 5 years, when I got out of bed in the morning I could not help but to think how lucky I am.

These incredible men and women are all members of the 9/11 generation; a generation that saw their nation attacked and elected to join the military while their country was at war knowing full well that they would join an unit deploying to war. They do not waiver or question – they quietly stand among the generations that have gone before them standing in the gap between evil and the values of our nation and our way of life. They are all volunteers, every one of them – and our Country has put the security of our nation on their backs again and again, and they consider it a privilege to do their duty each and every time. Many in America do not understand the incredible value and worth of this treasure, but that is OK – because this humble, yet competent generation, would want it no other way.

I have been so fortunate to see firsthand the performance of West Point graduates in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last 17 years, especially since leaving as Commandant. History will gloriously record what they have accomplished for not only our country, but also for the men and women of the free world, who thirst for democracy and seek moderation, toleration, and inclusion for all human beings.

These are the men and women who believe in the power of our Academy, our Army, and our Nation’s values. They are the ones who confront the menace of extremism and who seek to expand opportunity and decency for all who thirst for it.

Few Soldiers in our history have faced a greater challenge. But in this challenge, they have reflected the very best in our Nation. They have been called – and they answered -- as have generations who have gone before them. As the Prophet Isaiah once said, “Here am I, Send me”. They will take it to the next level, and they will never let the American people down.

Everything I did these past years was for one thing – reverence to this team, the Corps of Cadets, who are our future Army leaders, and this incredible generation.

Thank-you to so many friends who have taken the time to be here; Shelly and I are humbled and honored. Many others that could not be here today have also written to me; their thoughts and friendship will stay with me forever.

To my West Point classmates – Courage and Drive. I don’t know why you came all the way out here for this event, but I am honored. One of you told me it was because of the cases of beer and brown water and cigars in the Beat Navy House. But you have no idea how much it means to me to have you here today. Thank-you is inadequate. Seriously though, I do hope you will come on over. Bring your plastic cups and I’ll see you there.

To my family. To Mom and Dad. Thank-you for the example you set. I would not be here today were it not for you. I always wanted to make you proud. You inspired and motivated me.

To my brothers – Gary, Mark and Mike. Gary – I know you are here and thanks for believing in us so many years. Mark and Mike – you guys are incredible. Nothing I can do would ever repay you for being here today.

To my Aunt Bunny and Steve and Janet and Tony and Danny. Your presence over these years means more than you will ever know. Thanks so much for being here as family today.

To Rob and Lauren and Adelle. Nick and Amy and Eddie. Jeff and Elizabeth and Kylie and Hudson. I will miss you guys telling me when I would take off – “Bye Dad, I will miss you and I love you”. And now that I’m unemployed with no job, you’ll probably see more of me than you care to.

My principle goal in retirement? To be the best grandpa I could ever be.

Our kids – they have made 28 moves with us. They have been incredible Army brats. Making friends, breaking up, saying “I’ll see you later” again and again. They know more state history from the numerous state history classes they had to take, and each of them took a US History class 4 or 5 times over. But they have been supportive, and worthy of the love of our country for their own sacrifice as well.

Rob, Nick and Jeff. As Army brats and under the strangest of circumstances you have become three amazing young men. You are smart and good looking, but more importantly you are kind, thoughtful and full of passion. I hope the way I played this game will motivate you. And to be your father is the greatest honor I could ever receive. Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your Dad.

I remember meeting Shelly. One lesson – marry high. I was so cheap and such a bum that when we got married, our honeymoon was our first move in an old sedan traveling across the country visiting sites along the way. But she was always there. Intuitively she knew what was right and quietly did it every time. Her quiet courage game me the strength I never would have had. She was the perfect Army wife.

Well Hon we shared the thrills and we shared the dark moments. For the past 41 years, you have not only been my wife and the mother of our children, but you have been my best friend; You took this job that you didn’t ask for and you made it beautiful with grit and with grace and with style and good humor. You made our home a place that belongs to everyone and a new generation knows what right looks like and sets its heights higher because it has you as a role model.

You are the example of benevolence. The impact you had on all of us; I can’t think of the words to describe it. Without your love and bearing, I cannot imagine what my life would have been like. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this dream. Thank-you for being my rock and the sacrifices you make daily. I told you I would never let you down. I hope I held up my end of the bargain.

We really are both retiring today. Congratulations Shelly Pastin Caslen.

People would ask me what it took, and the only response I could think of is that the secret is in the dirt. I did not want anyone to out grit me, out persevere me, or out discipline me. The shear concentration to go out and pursue a dream is not for everyone. But it was for me.

Colossians 3:23 says: “Whatever you do; work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord”. There were high times and there were low times, but I know I leave falling short of that mark.

But the journey was the reward. People will forget what you said. They will forget what you did. But they will never forget what price they had to pay for the success they achieved.

And as I look back on this career, I have no regrets. Another of my favorite versus is from 2 Timothy 4:7; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. I can at least look myself in the mirror knowing the honor of fighting the good fight. And quite frankly, the end of my Army career is the beginning of something I have yet to discover.

And I also want to thank the American people and this nation for the privilege of serving. I am so proud to be an American, and so proud to have been an American Soldier. Our Nation has seen war, and it has seen peace. It has seen hope and the path to a better world. And we have seen West Point graduates leading the way to the better world.

What makes this country so special are not our accomplishments but how we bounce back from adversity. How we beat back our fears. How we soldier through challenges and obstacles. This is the symbol of a great generation.

We often speak about the resilience of our troops and our families. They have carried the best of us and this country into battle. They are magnificent and they will never let us down.

To close out, let me say that I am so glad that the President has nominated LTG Darryl Williams as our next Superintendent. I have known him since he was a cadet; the President could not have nominated a better leader. If he is confirmed by the Senate, he will be a brilliant Superintendent and a breath of fresh air.

And finally, let me just say that the freedoms and privileges that Americans enjoy today are a direct result of those who have sacrificed to defend their country. To the men and women of West Point and to our Corps of Cadets, you have all served this Institution and your Nation with honor. You do your part every day to preserve the values and greatness of West Point, of our Nation and the American people.

As our former Commander in Chief said of each of you and your generation …

“Long after they are laid to rest – when the fighting has finished, and our nation has endured; when today’s service men and women are veterans, and their children have grown – it will be said that this generation believed under the most trying of tests; believed in perseverance – not just when it was easy, but when it was hard, that they paid the price and bore the burden to secure this Nation, and stood up for the values that live in the hearts of all free peoples.

This generation; these cadets; this Corps of Cadets that is now blessed to serve will do its duty and will ensure our nation remains strong.

I have served 43 years, 17 days, and a wake up. I never wanted this day to come, but it does come. It comes for all of us. But this hour, my last hour in uniform, my heart is filled with gratitude and love and thanks for the blessings of family, of friends, and above all the blessings of being a citizen of this Nation that God has blessed, and the pride of being called an American.

And I thank God for sustaining me these 43 years, and pray he will keep us all strong. I cannot conceive that God has granted any man a richer, more satisfying life than mine. To Him, be all the honor and glory and power.

To all of you - thank-you all for coming today. I have loved every single day. It is hard to leave, but it is made easier by your presence. As General Dempsey said, “To all who will continue to serve after I depart, I only ask one thing – make it matter”.

Thank-you all very much.

Go Army – Beat Navy!

Supe Daddy – Out!