Admiral William H. McRaven's Speech To The Class Of 2015 At The U.S. Military Academy

Photo: Adm. William Harry McRaven. Wikipedia

A Sailor’s Perspective on the United States Army -- Admiral William H. McRaven, War On The Rocks

Editor’s Note: This speech was delivered to the Class of 2015 at the U.S. Military Academy on 18 January 2014. It is published here with the permission of Admiral McRaven’s staff.

Good evening. General and Mrs. Caslen, General and Mrs. Clarke, General Trainor, Col Brazil, Command Sergeants Major Duane and Byers, distinguished guests and most importantly Class of 2015.

I am truly honored to be here tonight to address the future leaders of the United States Army. But, as a graduate of a state school in Texas, who majored in journalism because I couldn’t do math, or science, or engineering or accounting, I am somewhat intimidated by the thought of giving any advice, to any cadet, on anything.

Nevertheless, after almost 37 years in the service, much of that time with the Army, there may be something I can offer. So tonight, as you begin the final 500 days of your time at the United States Military Academy, I would like to give you a Sailor’s Perspective on the Army; not the Army of the Hudson, not the Army of the history books, not the Army portrayed in the countless murals across campus, but the Army you will enter in 500 days—the Army upon which the future of the Nation rests; the Army that you will shape and the Army that you will lead.

So, if you will humor this old sailor, I will tell you what I’ve learned in my time serving with the Army.

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