E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Patrick Semansky / AP
A formation of U.S. Navy Blue Angel fighter jets perform a flyover above graduating midshipmen during the United States Naval Academy graduation and commissioning ceremonies in Annapolis, Md., on Tuesday.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., that they will help shape a more agile, flexible, technologically advanced military that puts an emphasis on Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
"One of the key projects that your generation will have to face is sustaining and enhancing American strength across the great maritime region of the Pacific," he said Tuesday.
He told graduates that their work will help strengthen defense ties with China, modernize ties with old allies like Japan and Korea and build new partnerships with countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore.
America's prosperity lies with the ability "to advance peace and security," he said. "That reality is inescapable for our country and for our military, which has already begun broadening and deepening our engagement throughout the Asia Pacific."
During visits to Southeast Asia, India and China, Panetta vowed to speak about America's goal to remain a Pacific power. "And I'll tell them why: because of you," he told the class of 2012. "Because during your careers many of you will be headed across the Pacific. There and across the globe, the Navy and Marine Corps must lead a resurgence of America's enduring maritime presence and power."
Panetta urged the graduates to help strengthen defense ties with China.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus joins Morning Joe to discuss the current state of the Navy, what defense budgets cuts will do to the Navy, reversing a decline in the number of naval ships, and possibly preparing for conflict in Iran.
"China's military is growing and modernizing," he said. "We must be vigilant. We must be strong. We must be prepared to confront any challenge. But the key to peace in that region is to develop a new era of defense cooperation between our countries — one in which our militaries share security burdens to advance peace in the Asia-Pacific and around the world."
Panetta also said the military will protect its investments in cybersecurity, unmanned systems and special operation forces. "We will ensure our military can confront aggression and defeat any opponent anytime, anywhere," Panetta said.
There were a total of 1,099 graduates — 877 men and 222 women. A total of 810 were commissioned as naval officers, including 634 men and 176 women. There were 267 commissioned as officers in the Marine Corps, including 224 men and 43 women. Several graduated as officers in the Air Force and Coast Guard.
Panetta also noted the death last week of retired Lt. Cmdr. Wesley Brown, the first African-American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1949. He was 85.
The defense secretary cited the academy's diversity, and he noted that some students are gay. This was the first graduating class at the service academy in which gay students could be open about their sexuality after repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy in September.
"You are men and women from every state in the union and 12 foreign nations — rich and poor, secular and religious, black, white, Latino, Native American, Asian, straight and gay. Diversity of this class is a tribute to the life and service of retired Lt. Cmdr. Wesley Brown," Panetta said, bringing cheers and applause from the audience.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
stay out of it!!! america is @!$%#ed already china owns us by default!! we will never strike
in the pacific as long as china has to foot the bill
Stay out of what? The Pacific? A huge amount of our trade crosses the Pacific Ocean and we'd be stupid not to be the dominant power in the region. "Fortress America" doesn't exist in the modern world. We must be engaged in the Pacific (and the Atlantic), or sit by as other countries set the rules.
As for China. Yes, they hold a signficant portion of our debt, but far from the majority. And, when it comes right down to it, that gives us more leverage than it does them. They can't risk destroying our economy, or their holdings of US debt, denominated in dollars, will plunge in value.
Barry-NJ,
There is little precedent in history to suggest that commerce between nations will prevent war. Just prior to the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, America was Japan’s largest trading partner. Just before our War for Independence, Britain was America’s largest trading partner.
AC ... I didn't say that commerce between nations prevents war. I said that we have a strategic interest in the Pacific because it is a source of a large amount of our trade. Therefore, we also have an interest in what happens in that part of the world.
If you are referring to my comment about China, I think your response would be better directed to Seth and those like him who are "chicken littles" when it comes to China and feel that we no longer have control of our own destiny.
Barry-NJ,
My bust, but do not count on China worrying about the value of the Yuan against the USD...
They are more concerned with viable access to natural resources and reliable energy supplies. This will be their driving force, to maintain and improve their society, no matter the COST to others. They are believers in MAD and have prepared many of their population centers and their centers of military power...
The USA has done NOTHING to maintain their society, just hardened their command centers...
Congratulations to the 2012 graduates of The U.S. Naval Academy. You do your country proud!
Congratulations and good luck. With the forces being cut by the thousands, your job will be an extreme challenge. A word of advice from 24 years of naval service, take care of your people down to the most junior sailor or soldier at all costs. They will depend on you for direction when the course is unclear. They will depend on your understanding when problems arise. Let the senior enlisted take care of the job, this will make your job easier. Support them when they need those shoulder boards to rock the boat.
The Master Chief/Sergent has three JOBS:
1. Accomplish the mission...
2. Ensure their troops are receiving the needed training...
3. Keep the OIC out of the BRIG/JAIL...
In that order. My two CO's during Saudi made ACMC and CO CNAL, and I made MSgt...
Trust is GIVEN, Respect is earned, and Loyalty is a two-way street...
Mr. Secretary, the official mission for the U.S. Navy is.........
The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.
No need to sugar coat it.
Wow, and yesterday on here everyone was putting down Romney about what he said, he want to build the military.But did not serve in the military and either has Obama. But who should they be talking about today about putting our boys in harms way now.(Obama) I think people forget the gulf wars Obama was age to serve. We have two candidates that have not serve in the military.So go figure.
Congratulation U.S Naval Academy thank you for serve you Country Make God be with you.
Don't need a permanent gov't trough feeder military cult leader Sherri. Nothing good ever came from a war enthusiast.
Where did Panetta talk about putting these young people in harm's way? What he talked about doing -- building alliances, keeping an open dialogue with China -- will minimize the chances of war, not increase them.
Which administration doubled the US Troop levels and then doubled them AGAIN in Afghanistan, for POLITICAL GAIN??? When the CIA/Panetta was stating there were less than 100+AlQaida in Afghanistan...
Obama has relieved his own 'hand picked' General, when he stated that the POLITICAL Conflict could not be won...
Obama has claimed victory in Afghanistan, as he is drawing the US Troop levels down to the levels seen prior to his administration...
The only thing he has ACCOMPLISHED:
1. KILLED more US Troops than Bush did in half of the time...
2. Spent more US Taxpayer money than Bush did, in half of the time...
3. Killed OBL using intel gained, using Bush's methods, which Obama had reascended...
4. Turned the Afghanistan 'Nation Building' over to the UN. Opps Bush had done this in Dec 2001...
Read the U.S News, article on Navy grads where there our headed. And what the Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said, to them. "One of the Key projects that your
generation will have to face is sustaining and enhacin America STRENGH (KEY WORD) ACROSS THE GREAT MARITIME REGION OF THE PACIFIC. WHERE do you think the order are coming from? I think the word out of Romney mouth was STRENGH our military.Now Obama is saying the something people. Where is all comment on these subject? So call your Congressmens that you do not want out Troop over in harms way in Asia Pacific.
America's prosperity lies with the ability "to advance peace and security," he said. "That reality is inescapable for our country and for our military, which has already begun broadening and deepening our engagement throughout the Asia Pacific."
During visits to Southeast Asia, India and China, Panetta vowed to speak about America's goal to remain a Pacific power. "And I'll tell them why: because of you," he told the class of 2012. "Because during your careers many of you will be headed across the Pacific. There and across the globe, the Navy and Marine Corps must lead a resurgence of America's enduring maritime presence and power."
"China's military is growing and modernizing," he said. "We must be vigilant. We must be strong. We must be prepared to confront any challenge. But the key to peace in that region is to develop a new era of defense cooperation between our countries — one in which our militaries share security burdens to advance peace in the Asia-Pacific and around the world."
Panetta also said the military will protect its investments in cybersecurity, unmanned systems and special operation forces. "We will ensure our military can confront aggression and defeat any opponent anytime, anywhere," Panetta said.
AC Robertson thank you...But the true hard some people. :)
And remember, multiple tours are good for career advancement and no fraternization with the opposite or same sex enlisted people.
Congratulations on your first six year tour.
Welcome to the fleet ring knockers, gunner gave some great advice..I highly recommend you listen to it and try not to reinvent the wheel, I am sure they taught you some neat things in the academy but now your real education begins in the real navy...Take care of your guys, listen to your FCPO and Chief..we have been playing this game longer than you, one more thing for you guys becoming aviators..you are just renting my plane..lol
good luck out there suffering in the ward room with your POTS lines, served meals and getting off the ship first in port and don't fall for the old trick of looking for the batteries for the sound power telephones
Congrats to all the new Ensigns and 2nd Lieutenants! Serve your sailors and marines with honor! However, GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!! sorry, couldn't resist ;-)
Seriously, congrats to all. I went to a tournament in December at USNA. What a beautiful campus, and I appreciated very much the hospitality shown us all.
Thanks - an USMA parent
Let me guess- the Imperial Japanese Navy of the 1930s is making a comeback or the Chinese are going to buy Pearl Harbor instead of sacking it? The navy is a waste of money with their iron yachts that only used to terrorize second rate countries like Iran, Yemen, and Iraq.
Well, terrorizing those countries has considerable value.
The navy is needed if only because other countries have navies. The navy is also used to ensure freedom of the seas, a concept that is particularly important to a maritime nation like the US. Submarines also make the ultimate nuclear missle platform.
Maybe that why Romney said, we need to strengthen our Military.
While China is INCREASING their Military spending by double digits for almost 3+decades. The USA and western countries are DECREASING their Military spending and capabilities. The same thing happen after WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Cold War. We ALL know what happen then...
For a out-dated view on the China vice USA capabilities. see http://www.economist.com/node/21552193 China has added one aircraft carrier and are building two new ones, with plans to build two nuclear carriers. Also research the DF-21d anti-ship missiles, that are now being deployed by China. While the USA is cancelling the additional Ford Class carrier and the UK just retired their only carrier...
The Scarborough Shoal standoff continues for the seventh week. As neither country refuses to leave the area, with China and the Philippines each dispatching ships and warning the other that it won’t back away from the minuscule atoll. With China currently doubling the number of ships in the territory. The USA, Taiwan, Japan, and others are positioning military forces and supplies in support of the Philippines Military forces...
The USA is adding another carrier group to the Pacific arena and the newest US Navy nuclear sub, the USS North carolina has been reported to be in the area...
Just keep IGNORING China and they will own/control ASIA and parts of Central & South America...
The bestselling authors of "The Year of the Rat" expose how the Clinton administration helped Communist China achieve its military ambitions...
Also research - Chinagate... see http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/26/214938.shtml
ACrobertson thank for the lesson look up Chinagate can you say, "scare" a eye opener. I read Richard Poe is that the same as you are talking about.
For the latest news concerning the Military stand-off between China & the Philippines.. see http://interceder.net/latest_news/china-philippines-spratly
Philippine Daily Inquirer Publication Date : 30-05-2012
The Philippines, China, Taiwan and three other Asean members, namely, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei are locked in a territorial dispute over the Spratlys group of islands in the West Philippine (South China) Sea.
According to the DND, Gazmin defended the Philippine Navy’s move on April 10 to intercept the eight Chinese fishing vessels that were found to have illegally harvested a big quantity of endangered corals, giant clams and live sharks in Panatag Shoal. He defended the Philippine Navy after Liang protested the attempt to arrest the Chinese fishermen.
Gazmin said the Philippine Navy ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was en route to northern Luzon to track the North Korean missile launch when it received reports of unidentified vessels in Panatag Shoal.
Gazmin said the Navy verified that the eight vessels were illegally collecting endangered marine species. Chinese maritime surveillance ships, however, prevented the Navy, and later the Coast Guard, from arresting the Chinese poachers.
Philippine officials point out that Panatag Shoal is 124 nautical miles (230 kilometres) from the nearest basepoint in Zambales province, well within the Philippines’ 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
But China invokes a historical claim on the shoal, which is 472 nautical miles (875 kilometres) from its coast.
"He told graduates that their work will help strengthen defense ties with China." It is either Panetta doesn't know what he is talking about or just saying it to appease the Chinese. China's aggressive bullying in the Pacific is the main reason the assistance of the U.S. is much needed. So why should these young officers help strengthen defense ties with China? Panetta spins so much he is "dizzy and out of control."
During the Cold War, our military built ties to the Soviet military. It can't be claimed that by doing so, the Pentagon "appeased" the Kremlin. Building "ties" with China doesn't mean that we're going to help them when their actions are against our interests. But, having those ties helps to prevent miscalculations that lead to war.