[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 27 (Monday, July 7, 2003)]
[Pages 856-859]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Reenlistment Ceremony on the 30th Anniversary of the All-
Volunteer Force

July 1, 2003

    Please be seated. Welcome. Thank you all very much. Welcome to the 
White House. We're joined today by 30 men and women who have chosen to 
reenlist in the United States Armed Forces. Each of them decided years 
ago to serve and defend our country. Today they reaffirm their 
commitment and take the oath again.
    Like many thousands of other soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast 
guardsmen, and marines who will reenlist this year, these men and women 
are answering the highest call of citizenship. They have stood between 
the American people and the dangers of the world, and we are glad they 
are staying on duty.

[[Page 857]]

    I want to thank Paul Wolfowitz, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, for 
joining us, and members of the defense team. I want to thank Richard 
Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Pete Pace, the Vice Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs. I want to thank James Roche, the Secretary of the Air 
Force, Les Brownlee, the Acting Secretary of the Army, H.T. Johnson, the 
Acting Secretary of the Navy, for being with us today.
    I appreciate Admiral Vernon Clark, the Chief of Naval Operations, 
for being here; General Michael W. Hagee, the Commandant of the Marine 
Corps; General John M. Keane, Acting Chief of Staff for the Army. I 
appreciate Terry D. Scott, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, for 
being with us today, John L. Estrada, Sergeant Major of the Marine 
Corps, Frank A. Welch, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, 
members of the Armed Forces, and our fellow Americans.
    Before the draft ended on July 1st, 1973, generations of men entered 
military service by the decision of others. And during two World Wars 
and in Korea and in Vietnam, they served nobly, and they served well. 
Yet in the past 30 years, we have seen the great advantages of a 
military in which all serve by their own decision. Our country's all-
volunteer force attracts idealistic and committed young Americans. They 
stay in service longer because they have chosen the military life. The 
result is a military with the highest levels of training, experience, 
motivation, and professionalism.
    The military life is rewarding. Yet, even at its best, that life is 
difficult, often involving separation and danger. Those who willingly 
make these sacrifices and the families who share their hardships have 
the respect and the gratitude of their fellow Americans.
    All in our military are serving in one of history's critical hours. 
Less than 2 years ago, determined enemies of America entered our 
country, committed acts of murder against our people, and made clear 
their intentions to strike again. As long as terrorists and their allies 
plot to harm America, America is at war. We did not choose this war. 
Yet, with the safety of the American people at stake, we will continue 
to wage this war with all our might.
    From the beginning, we have known the effort would be long and 
difficult and that our resolve would be tested. We know that sacrifice 
is unavoidable. We have seen victories in the decisive defeat of two 
terror regimes and in the relentless pursuit of a global terror network. 
Yet the war on terror goes on. We will not be distracted, and we will 
prevail.
    Of those directly involved in organizing the September the 11th 
attacks, almost all are now in custody or confirmed dead. Of the senior 
Al Qaida leaders, operational managers, and key facilitators we have 
been tracking, 65 percent have been captured or killed.
    Still, we recognize that Al Qaida has trained thousands of foot 
soldiers in many nations and that new leaders may emerge. And we suspect 
that some Al Qaida deserters will attach themselves to other terrorist 
groups in order to strike American targets. Terrorists that remain can 
be certain of this: We will hunt them by day and by night in every 
corner of the world until they are no longer a threat to America and our 
friends.
    At this moment, American and allied forces continue the work of 
fighting terrorists and establishing order in Afghanistan. When we 
removed the Taliban from power, surviving Al Qaida members fled from 
most of that country. However, many terrorists sought sanctuary along 
the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and some are still hiding there. These 
Al Qaida and Taliban holdouts have attacked allied bases with unguided 
rockets, conducted ambushes, and fired upon border posts. In close 
cooperation with the Afghan and Pakistani Governments, America is 
engaged in operations to find and destroy these terrorists.
    Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, it is important 
for our fellow citizens to know that Pakistan has apprehended more than 
500 terrorists, including hundreds of members of Al Qaida and the 
Taliban.
    As this fight continues, the people of Afghanistan are moving 
forward with the reconstruction of their country and the founding

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of a democratic government. They have selected a President. They're 
building a national army, and they are now in the final stages of 
drafting a new constitution.
    America and other countries continue to provide humanitarian aid and 
assistance in building clinics and schools and roads. Joined by other 
nations, we are deploying the first group of provincial reconstruction 
teams to various cities in Afghanistan, groups of experts who are 
working with local officials to improve public safety, promote 
reconstruction, and solidify the authority of elected governments.
    Afghanistan still has many challenges, but that country is making 
progress, and its people are a world away from the nightmare they 
endured under the Taliban. Pakistan and Afghanistan are among many 
governments that understand the threat of terror and are determined to 
root it out.
    After the terrible attacks in Riyadh on May the 12th, the Government 
of Saudi Arabia has intensified its longstanding efforts against the Al 
Qaida network. Recently, Saudi's security services apprehended Abu Bakr, 
believed to be a central figure in the Riyadh bombing, and killed a 
major Al Qaida operational planner and fundraiser, a man known in 
terrorist circles as ``Swift Sword.'' Saudi authorities have also 
uncovered terrorist operations in the holy city of Mecca, demonstrating 
once again that terrorists hold nothing sacred and have no home in any 
religion. America and Saudi Arabia face a common terrorist threat, and 
we appreciate the strong, continuing efforts of the Saudi Government in 
fighting that threat.
    The war on terror also continues in Iraq, where coalition forces are 
engaging remnants of the former regime, as well as members of terrorist 
groups. We met the major combat objectives in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 
We ended a regime that possessed weapons of mass destruction, harbored 
and supported terrorists, suppressed human rights, and defied the just 
demands of the United Nations and the world.
    The true monuments of Saddam Hussein's rule have been brought to 
light, the mass graves, the torture chambers, the jail cells for 
children. And now we are moving forward with the reconstruction of that 
country by restoring basic services, maintaining order, searching for 
the hidden weapons, and helping Iraqis to establish a representative 
government.
    The rise of Iraq as an example of moderation and democracy and 
prosperity is a massive and long-term undertaking. And the restoration 
of that country is critical to the defeat of terror and radicalism 
throughout the Middle East. With so much in the balance, it comes as no 
surprise that freedom has enemies inside of Iraq. The looting and random 
violence that began in the immediate aftermath of war remains a 
challenge in some areas. A greater challenge comes from former Ba'ath 
Party and security officials who will stop at nothing to regain their 
power and their privilege. But there will be no return to tyranny in 
Iraq. And those who threaten the order and stability of that country 
will face ruin, just as surely as the regime they once served.
    Also present in Iraq are terrorist groups seeking to spread chaos 
and to attack American and coalition forces. Among these terrorists are 
members of Ansar Al Islam, which operated in Iraq before the war and is 
now active in the Sunni heartland of the country. We suspect that the 
remnants of a group tied to Al Qaida associate Al Zarqawi are still in 
Iraq, waiting for an opportunity to strike. We're also beginning to see 
foreign fighters enter Iraq.
    These scattered groups of terrorists, extremists, and Saddam 
loyalists are especially active to the north and west of Baghdad, where 
they have destroyed electricity lines and towers, set off explosions at 
gas pipelines, and ignited sulfur fires. They have attacked coalition 
forces, and they're trying to intimidate Iraqi citizens. These groups 
believe they have found an opportunity to harm America, to shake our 
resolve in the war on terror, and to cause us to leave Iraq before 
freedom is fully established. They are wrong, and they will not succeed.
    Those who try to undermine the reconstruction of Iraq are not only 
attacking our coalition; they are attacking the Iraqi people. And we 
will stand with the Iraqi people strongly as they build a hopeful 
future. Having liberated Iraq as promised, we will help

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that country to found a just and representative government as promised. 
Our goal is a swift transition to Iraqi control of their own affairs. 
People of Iraq will be secure, and the people of Iraq will run their own 
country.
    At present, 230,000 Americans are serving inside or near Iraq. Our 
whole Nation, especially their families, recognizes that our people in 
uniform face continuing danger. We appreciate their service under 
difficult circumstances and their willingness to fight for American 
security and Iraqi freedom. As Commander in Chief, I assure them, we 
will stay on the offensive against the enemy. And all who attack our 
troops will be met with direct and decisive force.
    As America fights our war against terror, we will continue to depend 
on the skill and the courage of our volunteer military. In these last 22 
months, our Armed Forces have been tested and tested again. In every 
case, in every mission, America's service men and women have brought 
credit to the uniform, to our flag, and to our country. We have needed 
you, and you have never let us down.
    I want to thank you for keeping your pledge of duty to America, and 
thank you for renewing that demanding pledge today.
    And now, General Myers will administer the oath of enlistment in the 
Armed Forces of the United States. May God bless you.

Note: The President spoke at 2 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. 
In his remarks, he referred to President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan; 
senior Al Qaida associates Abu Bakr Al Azdi and Abu Musab Al Zarqawi; 
and former President Saddam Hussein of Iraq. The Office of the Press 
Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of these remarks.