V.P. Joe Biden Ceremonial Swearing in for Secretary Chuck Hagel

By Ermira Babamusta, Ph.D.

The Swearing in ceremony for America’s 24^th Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel took place today, March 14, 2012 at 3:00 pm in Arlington, Virginia. The event was opened with a prayer from Chaplin Barry Black, Chaplin of United States Senate. Then Army General Martin Dempsey, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said his opening remarks.

“Our national colors and 2.4 million just like them are eager for your leadership. You led throughout your life in Vietnam, in the business world, in Congress in US and in most recently in academia. Today you continue to lead n this very important task,” stated  General Martin Dempsey.

Then the General introduced Vice President Joe Biden and thanked him for over 40 years of his service to United States, his “dedication to this nation and also a caring military father who has great support for military families”.

“I have some admiration for Chuck’s courage, his physical courage as demonstrated in Vietnam. But also his moral courage, known by everyone who served in public life. One thing about Chuck through out his career, I never met one senator or congressman with more integrity. That is the single most ingredient he can bring to the job. When the president asked him his opinion on the critical decision that can affect thousands of lives, he knows that that man can look him in the eye and give him his unvarnished opinion. That is exactly what he will get. Chuck comes equipped, this really makes him extremely qualified this moment in our history. Not only is he clear and has certain knowledge in the whole notion of what we do about our physical integrity, but he has steep knowledge in foreign policy,” said Vice President Joe Biden.

After the Vice President delivered his remarks at the welcome ceremony he invited Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to take the stage who gave a very inspiring speech. Secretary Hagel thanked Vice President Joe Biden for his friendship over the years and made comments about the challenges facing foreign policy and the world today:   

“Regardless how high anyone rotates in your profession your faith, profession and friends always matter the most in the end. We are always judged by our friends and who we associate with. Association couldn’t be more noble than this association that I now have with the men and women who serve our country in unselfish and complete ways. To the veterans here thank you to all who serve and continue to do so, I couldn’t be more proud than to be in this position. I would commit to you, will always do what I think is best for our policies.

I want to mention specifically a few individuals who served with Tom and I in Vietnam, whom some of them I haven’t seen since 1968. Randy Zogal, thank you for distinguished service to our country. Jan Bacon and her three children whose husband, Jean Bacon, served in war zones. I acknowledge Chairman Dempsey for his service and partnership with me. He is a special human being, a unique soldier who has a complete package and understands how the world fits together. I couldn’t be prouder to have him. Ash Carter, thank you for your continued service here what you mean to this institution. I look forward to this partnership,” said Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Secretary Hagel also thanked his predecessor, Leon Panneta, former Director of CIA and Secretary of Defense from 2011 until 2013 and Bob Gates who served as Secretary of Defense from 2006 until 2011.  Then Secretary Hagel addressed the leadership role and the challenging dynamics of globalization.  

“Everyone in this room knows that leadership is a team business, it is not any of us individually. Everyone has made tremendous contributions and it is because of building something bigger than yourself, for a higher purpose and interest, and making it work. If there is one thing that is a center piece of our military it is that component. We have great public servants in our government and all over our country. This business is rather unique that way. It is going to take a team effort to help self correct where we are and where we have come from and what this country has come through. As we have come out of 2^nd world war, new threats new challenges, the essence of a successful generation is the response to those challenges.

We are at a similar time, more complications, more dynamics that are in play, unprecedented diffusions of power centers, different kinds of threats. It is something that Joe talked about that brings us back why Americais the greatest force for good in the world. I don’t think god made us any better, or even any smarter. What God did give us is an opportunity to build things like constitutions and have a society that believes in the rule of law and all that is about the opportunity to get better, to self correct. We have been successful over the years.

The margin of error now isn’t there because of technology, globalization and sophistication of weapons. It will require steady hands of leadership. I want to insert a point that Joe made, in his generous comment about me, about the President’s selection of me and the strong support of me when it wasn’t easy to support me. The President has given me a tremendous opportunity to be part of this with you. I will always be grateful. The President understands as Joe understands this unique time is one that requires that certain leadership, that is always important but not always critical. It is critical now. To have the opportunity to work with John Kerry, Bill Berns, in each of these departments, and cabinet membership, when we step back and think about this, it is about so much bigger than all of us. To have those opportunities is, when we think of who we are where we are at this time. Not many people have an opportunity to shape and define the world, the future, and a very unsteady world. We all have that opportunity now. It is historical.

We do know that in this particular case, militaries over the years, governments like societies all are forced to adapt to the realities of their time, the dynamics and the new threats of the challenges. Those that did not were defeated, declined or disappeared. The seriousness where we are today is of that magnitude. The future of our country in a defined world order is a defining.

Alliances and relationships are key to all of us. Because we now have within our grasp the possibility and the potential to destroy mankind. It is that serious, as we think about 25 yrs, we will put 2 billion more people in the face of earth that will not make it any simple. These are challenges and realities that are with us now.

With all of these great 21^st century challenges, there is so much potential to do so much good. If we are wise enough to use the resources that we have, to build relationships based on common interest. Those are the center pieces for mankind. We start inside with common interest. I can’t envision a nation state a tribe or any part of society that does not have far more common interest than difference. I want you to know that I appreciate that, I will try to accommodate those realties. As I work with the team. Together we will make it a better world and will make it a better world for all mankind,” concluded Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

The ceremony was closed with the benediction delivered by Chaplin Black.