    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 27, 2005]
    [Pages 886-891]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Commencement Address at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis,
    Maryland
    May 27, 2005

        Thanks for the warm welcome. Secretary England, Admiral Clark, General
    Nyland, Vice Admiral Rempt, Captain Leidig, Dr.
    Miller, members of the Board of Visitors,
    Lieutenant Governor Steele and Congressman
    Hoyer, distinguished faculty,
    distinguished guests, proud parents, family, friends, and, most of all,
    the graduating midshipmen of the class of 2005, I'm honored to be here.
        And I am proud to stand before the future leaders of the Navy and
    Marine Corps. And to celebrate the occasion, I thought I would bring
    along a small graduation gift. Too late to give you a ``Staubach Day,''
    so I'll do the next best thing. In keeping with longstanding tradition,
    I hereby absolve all midshipmen who are on restriction for minor conduct
    offenses. [Laughter] I will leave it to the Admiral to define exactly what ``minor'' means. [Laughter]
        You worked hard to get to this moment. You survived Plebe Summer and
    having your parking tickets scraped. [Laughter] You climbed Herndon
    Monument and threw pennies at Tecumseh, god of the 2.0. I knew him
    pretty well when I was in school. [Laughter] Now, at last, you've made
    it to graduation day, and in a few moments, you will receive your
    military commissions and your diplomas. Your parents are proud of you;
    your teachers are proud of you; and so is your Commander in Chief.
    Congratulations on a great achievement.
        A lot has changed since you arrived at Annapolis 4 years ago. Navy
    football went 0 and 10 in your plebe year. This year, you went 10 and 2,
    and you won your second Commander in Chief's Trophy in a row. I'd like
    the record to show that your turnaround started the year after I
    delivered your commencement address. [Laughter] So to ensure the
    continued domination of Navy football, I thought I'd just swing by for a
    return visit.
        When I spoke to the class of 2001, none of us imagined that a few
    months later we would suffer a devastating surprise attack on our
    homeland or that our Nation would be plunged into a global war unlike
    any we had known before. Today, we face brutal and determined enemies,
    men who celebrate murder, incite suicide, and thirst for absolute power.
    These enemies will not be stopped by negotiations or concessions or
    appeals to reason. In this war, there is only one option, and that is
    victory.
        Today I'm going to talk about our strategy for victory in this war,
    what we've accomplished to make our Nation more secure, your crucial
    role in this struggle, and why we need you to fight the war on terror
    and transform our military at the same time. In the 21st century,
    America will be prepared to answer any challenge and defeat any
    adversary.
        Our Nation is pursuing a clear strategy for the war on terror. We're
    using every available tool to disrupt terrorists and their
    organizations. We are taking the fight to the enemy abroad so we do not
    have to face them here at home. We're denying the terrorists sanctuary
    and making clear that America will not tolerate outlaw regimes that
    provide safe haven and support

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    to terrorists. We're using all elements of national power to deny
    terrorists the chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons they seek. We
    will not allow mass murderers to gain access to the tools of mass
    destruction. And we're stopping terrorists from achieving their
    ideological victories they seek, by working to spread the hope of
    freedom and reform across the broader Middle East. We understand that
    free nations do not support terrorists or invade their neighbors. We
    understand to make the world more peaceful and our country more secure,
    we will advance the cause of liberty.
        Thanks to the men and women of the United States military, our
    strategy is working; we are winning the war on terror. Since September
    the 11th, 2001, we've removed brutal regimes in Kabul and Baghdad that
    supported and harbored terrorists. We helped launch Afghanistan and Iraq
    on the path to lasting freedom by liberating over 50 million people.
    Both these nations have now chosen their leaders in free elections, and
    their courage is inspiring democratic reformers across the broader
    Middle East to rise up and claim their liberty.
        To stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, we broke up the
    world's most dangerous nuclear trading network. We convinced Libya's
    leader to give up his
    country's chemical and nuclear weapons programs as well as his long-
    range ballistic missiles. Two years ago, we launched the Proliferation
    Security Initiative, an effort supported by 60 nations to stop shipments
    of weapons of mass destruction on land, at sea, and in the air. We have
    gone after Al Qaida and other terrorists with relentless determination,
    disrupting their communications, planning, training, and financing. We
    have put the enemy on the run, and now they spend their days avoiding
    capture, because they know that America's armed services are on their
    trail.
        And we will stay on their trail. The best way to protect our
    citizens is to stay on the offensive. In the last few weeks, we've dealt
    the enemy a series of powerful blows. In Afghanistan, we brought to
    justice scores of terrorists and insurgents. In Pakistan, one of Usama
    Bin Laden's senior terrorist leaders, a man
    named al-Libbi, was brought to justice.
    In Iraq, we captured two senior
    operatives of the
    terrorist Zarqawi. And in recent days,
    our forces have killed or captured hundreds of terrorists and insurgents
    in Baghdad and western Iraq and near the Syrian border. Across the
    world, our military is standing directly between the American people and
    the worst dangers in the world, and Americans are grateful to have such
    brave defenders.
        Difficult and dangerous work remains. Suicide bombers in Iraq are
    targeting innocent men, women, and children, hoping to intimidate Iraq's
    new leaders and shake the will of the Iraqi people. They will fail.
    Iraqis are determined, and our strategy is clear. We will train Iraqi
    forces so they can take the fight to the enemy and defend their own
    country, and then our troops will come home with the honor they have
    earned.
        The midshipmen I addressed here 4 years ago are now serving bravely
    in this struggle. The new officers who sat in the chairs where you now
    sit could not have known that their strength and character would be
    tested so soon. In the last 4 years, they've met every test and overcome
    every challenge. And they are setting a lasting example of courage for
    the classes that follow.
        Sitting in the crowd 4 years ago was Midshipman Edward
    Slavis. When I gave the order to liberate
    Iraq, he charged across the Kuwaiti border, leading a rifle platoon
    through 21 days of tough fighting into the heart of Baghdad. His
    battalion helped pull down the statue of Saddam Hussein. Ed says, ``I
    will have time for myself later. Now I just feel privileged to spend my
    life doing something much larger than myself.'' He went on to say, ``The
    mission will be a success, and 20 or 30 years from now, historians will
    look back on the mission to

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    Iraq as America's golden moment.'' Ed Slavis is serving his country with
    courage, and he's adding to the history of this Academy.
        Sitting in the crowd that day was Midshipman Josh Glover. He would soon risk his life in the city of Fallujah,
    fighting through a half-mile of enemy territory to rescue a platoon of
    Marines pinned down by insurgents. Josh says, ``They had casualties and
    a Marine who had been killed. We were shooting 360 degrees.'' Josh and
    his men recovered that fallen Marine and saved the platoon and helped us
    win a critical battle in the war on terror.
        Sitting in the crowd that day was a midshipman whose name I cannot
    mention because he went on to join the secret world of Navy special
    operations. He would soon deploy to Afghanistan with his Navy SEAL team,
    where he conducted lightning raids that captured dozens of Taliban and
    Al Qaida fighters. He even helped protect a very distinguished visitor
    to Afghanistan, the First Lady of the United
    States. And if he's out there listening, I've got a message for that
    courageous Navy frogman: Thanks for defending America, and thanks for
    taking such good care of my bride.
        Also sitting in the crowd that day was Midshipman Bobby Rashad
    Jones. He would go on to serve as a deck
    division officer onboard the U.S.S. Germantown, ensuring the safe
    landing of marines and Seabees, in hostile territory during
    antiterrorist operations in the Philippines. Bobby was the ``anchorman''
    of the class of 2001. He was the guy that gave me that bear hug.
    [Laughter] Four years later, my ribs still hurt--[laughter]--so don't
    get any ideas. [Laughter] Here's what Bobby says, ``Once I got to my
    ship after 9/11, it did not matter where I graduated. The expectations
    of Annapolis graduates never change, and I am proud to be part of the
    elite and unique tradition of the United States Naval Academy.'' I want
    to thank Bobby for his service and thank Bobby for witnessing your
    graduation today.
        The members of the class of 2001 have grown into experienced,
    battle-hardened Navy and Marine officers. They are serving our Nation
    with valor and distinction, and soon you'll join them. Four years at
    this Academy have prepared you morally, mentally, and physically for the
    challenges ahead. And now the American people are depending on you to
    uphold the high ideals you learned here as midshipmen. I know that in
    the war on terror, the members of the class of 2005 will walk with
    honor, and you will make America proud.
        In this time of unprecedented dangers, we need you to take on two
    difficult missions at once: We need you to defeat the terrorists who
    want to destroy what we stand for and how we live; and at the same time,
    we need you to transform our military for the 21st century, so we can
    deter and defeat the new adversaries who may threaten our people in the
    decades ahead.
        The lesson of September the 11th is clear: New dangers can arrive on
    our shores without warning. In this era of surprise, we cannot know for
    certain who might attack us or where or when. But we can anticipate how
    we might be attacked, and we can transform our capabilities to defend
    our citizens and deliver justice to our enemies.
        To meet the threats of the 21st century, we are developing new
    technologies that will make our forces faster, lighter, more agile, and
    more lethal. In our time, terrible dangers can arise on a short moment
    anywhere in the world, and we must be prepared to oppose these dangers
    everywhere in the world.
        Since taking office, my administration has invested $16 billion to
    build transformational military capabilities. We've requested an
    additional 78 billion for these efforts over the next 4 years. We've
    invested $240 billion in research and development so we can build even
    more advanced capabilities in the decades ahead. We requested $275
    billion for these efforts over the next 4 years. These investments will

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    help us keep the peace by redefining war on our terms. And so long as I
    am your President, you will have the very best equipment and the
    resources you need to get the job done.
        We've already seen the power of technology to transform our forces.
    In the 1991 Persian Gulf war, aircraft taking off from a carrier deck
    could engage about 200 targets per day. In Operation Iraqi Freedom, that
    number jumped to over 600 targets a day, 3 times the capability. And in
    each year, those capabilities are becoming more and more precise. In
    Iraq, we used a new HELLFIRE missile for the first time, which can take
    out enemy fighters hiding on one floor of a building, without destroying
    the floors above and below. This missile is capable of reaching around
    corners to strike enemy forces that hide in caves and bunkers and
    hardened multiroom complexes. In the coming years, there are going to be
    some awfully surprised terrorists when the thermobaric HELLFIRE comes
    knocking.
        Revolutionary advances in technology are transforming war in our
    favor. And in the decades ahead, the changes will be even more dramatic.
    We will deploy unmanned underwater vehicles that can go where no
    submarine can go today. We will deploy advanced destroyers capable of
    shooting down ballistic missiles and transformed strike submarines that
    can silently carry special operation forces and cruise missiles within
    striking distance of our adversaries. We are developing joint sea bases
    that will allow our forces to strike from floating platforms close to
    the action, instead of being dependent on land bases far from the fight.
        We're also harnessing advances in information technology, such as
    undersea surveillance systems, to provide our forces with near total
    battle-space awareness. And technology is allowing us to improve the
    ability of the Navy and Army and Air Force and Marines to work together
    as a truly joint force, with innovations like joint tactical radio that
    will allow all services to share information in the heat of battle.
    These technological advances will put unprecedented agility, speed,
    precision, and power in your hands, and you will use them to protect the
    American people in the dangerous decades ahead.
        Technology changes the balance of war in a very important way. We
    can now strike our enemies with greater effectiveness, at greater range,
    with fewer civilian casualties. In this new era, we can target a regime,
    not a nation, and that means terrorists and tyrants can no longer feel
    safe hiding behind innocent life. In the 21st century, we can target the
    guilty and protect the innocent, and that makes it easier to keep the
    peace.
        To meet the threats of the 21st century, we must reposition our
    forces at home and abroad. Today, much of our military is still deployed
    in ways that reflect the threats of the 20th century. So last summer, I
    announced the biggest transformation of our global force posture since
    the end of the World War II. Over the coming decade, we will reposition
    our forces so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats. We
    will deploy increased combat power across the world. And we will bring
    home between 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel currently stationed
    overseas. These changes will reduce the stress on your families, raise
    the pressure on our enemies, and ensure that you remain the most
    powerful and effective fighting force on Earth.
        To meet new threats, we must transform our domestic force posture as
    well, and that will require closing and realigning military bases. The
    military services have each done a review of their requirements, and
    they have concluded that we have more bases than we need. Supporting
    these facilities wastes billions of taxpayers' dollars, money that can
    be better spent on giving you the tools to fight terrorists and confront
    21st-century threats. Two weeks ago, the Defense Department presented
    the military's recommendations to the Base Realignment

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    and Closure Commission. This is only the beginning of the process.
    Commission members will now visit all the sites that the military has
    recommended for closure, and communities will have the opportunity to
    make their case directly to the Commission.
        I know first hand how hard base closings can be on local
    communities. I was the Governor of Texas during the last round of base
    closures, when facilities were shut down in places like Lubbock and
    Laredo and Austin. We'll do everything possible to help affected
    communities make the transition as smoothly as possible, by providing
    economic development aid, job training, and assistance with
    redevelopment plans for affected bases. This process will be impartial
    and fair, and it will produce a net savings of $48 billion over the next
    20 years. It will result in a military that is more efficient and better
    prepared, so you can better protect the American people against the
    dangers of this new century.
        Transformation requires more than high-tech weapons; it requires
    creativity, ingenuity, and a willingness to try new things. All the
    advanced technology in the world will not transform our military if we
    do not transform our thinking.
        Sometimes, transformation means using old capabilities in new ways.
    In Afghanistan, our troops rode into battle on horseback, but they did
    it while using GPS and advanced satellite communications to call in air
    strikes on enemy positions. They combined a staple of 19th century
    warfare with the most advanced 21st century technology, and they helped
    remove a dangerous threat to America.
        As you begin your military careers, we need you to bring that same
    spirit of creativity and innovation to your work. Seek out the
    innovative leaders in our military, work with them and learn from them,
    and they will help you to become leaders yourselves. Show courage and
    not just on the battlefield. Pursue the possibilities others tell you do
    not exist.
        This advice comes with a warning: If you challenge established ways
    of thinking, you will face opposition. Believe me, I know, I've lived in
    Washington for the past 4 years. The opponents of change are many, and
    its champions are few, but the champions of change are the ones who make
    history. Be champions, and you will make America safer for your children
    and your grandchildren, and you'll add to the character of our Nation.
        And as you begin your military careers, proceed with confidence,
    because our citizens are determined, our country is strong, and the
    future belongs to freedom. Across the world, liberty is on the march. In
    the last 18 months, we have witnessed a Rose Revolution in Georgia, an
    Orange Revolution in the Ukraine, a Purple Revolution in Iraq, a Tulip
    Revolution in Kyrgyzstan, and a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, and these
    are only the beginning. Across central Asia and the broader Middle East,
    we are seeing the rise of a new generation whose hearts burn for
    liberty, and they are going to have it. America is standing with these
    democratic reformers because we know that the only force powerful enough
    to stop the rise of tyranny and terror and replace hatred with hope is
    the force of human freedom. And by extending freedom to millions who
    have not known it, we will advance the cause of peace and make America
    more secure.
        Some of our men and women in uniform have given their lives in this
    cause, and others have returned home with terrible injuries. America
    honors their sacrifice, and we will uphold the cause they served. You
    are the ones who will take up their mantle and carry on their fight and
    ensure the triumph of liberty in the century ahead.
        You are now part of the greatest force for freedom in the history of
    the world, the Armed Forces of the United States. In the years ahead,
    you will see dramatic changes taking place all around you. Yet amid all
    the tumult and change, there is one thing that won't change, and that is

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    character of our men and women who wear the uniform. This is your
    generation's moment. Your mission is necessary, and it is noble. The
    weapons you use will be more powerful and precise than those available
    to Annapolis graduates who came before you, and you will face enemies
    they never imagined. But what will make your success possible is the
    same thing that made their success possible, the courage and honor and
    personal integrity that you learned at this Academy.
        We're going to give you the tools you'll need to prevail in today's
    war on terror and the capabilities you'll need to protect us against the
    dangers that may yet emerge. Now the task is in your hands, and that
    means it is in the best of hands. Thank you for your courageous decision
    to serve. Bring honor to the uniform, security to our country, and peace
    to the world. And congratulations to every member of the class of 2005.
        May God bless you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:12 a.m. in the Navy-Marine Corps
    Memorial Stadium. In his remarks, he referred to Secretary of the Navy
    Gordon R. England; Adm. Vern Clark, USN, Chief of Naval Operations; Gen.
    William L. Nyland, USMC, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; Vice
    Adm. Rodney P. Rempt, USN, superintendent, Capt. Charles J. Leidig, Jr.,
    USN, commandant of midshipmen, and William C. Miller, academic dean and
    provost, U.S. Naval Academy; Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele of Maryland;
    Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-Qadhafi, leader of Libya; Usama bin Laden,
    leader of the Al Qaida terrorist organization; Abu Faraj al-Libbi,
    senior Al Qaida associate arrested in Pakistan on April 30; and senior
    Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi.