Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Chris Kotz:
“Brothers and sisters. I'd like to first congratulate you on this monumental accomplishment, an important milestone in your Navy career. You were selected for a reason, and I know you will be an incredible asset to our team. Welcome to the mess. I can assure you; your life will change after this day when you step out donning those anchors.
Those anchors are a beacon to others up and down the chain of command and you will be a sought-after lifeline in all aspects of your unit. More than just the day-to-day operations within your division or department, it rests on your shoulders to reinforce a culture of excellence throughout the entire command.
It is incumbent upon you to be united with the rest of your khaki teammates within your organization and lead actively from the front. In order to build up and reinforce that culture of excellence, you must enforce standards relentlessly and consistently. Remember, there is no room for substandard performance within your operations, but it goes deeper than that.
The way in which we interact with each other directly impacts the environment of the command and in turn impacts the success or failure of the mission. That is why it is so important to eliminate any signs of discrimination or unfairness you might see around you. Work with your mess to find new ways to combat destructive behaviors. Those thoughts and actions have no place in our Navy.
Your Sailors depend on you. Your leaders depend on you. We depend on you to achieve the mission success.”
Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. John Mustin:
“Our expectations are extremely high because I'm counting on every one of you. Our chiefs are the links in a 245-year chain connecting our past to our future. Our Navy can't succeed without you.
You're joining a long line of dedicated leaders who are ready when called and responded when the nation needed them. MCPON Delbert Black, Chief Edwin Hill, Chief Don McFaul, Chief James E. Williams. These were just a few of the inspirational chiefs who were the same anchors that you've donned.
Chiefs who have received one of the highest honors associated with the naval service being immortalized in ships that bear their names. I share Force’s enthusiasm and congratulating you on achieving this well-earned career milestone. You are all selected for important reasons via one of the most competitive screening processes in any service, you're going fill roles that directly contribute to the Navy Reserve force’s readiness to compete and win in conflict.
Regardless of where you were before or what you did before you put these anchors on, this is just the beginning. You've been pushed to prepare you for the awesome responsibility that you've earned, and I know you're going to be ready. At this level, It's no longer about your individual performance. It's about the performance of those that you lead, the team that you lead, and those that you mentor and cultivate.
You're expected to look out for others as they, your Sailors, the members of the mess and the wardroom, look out for you. Welcome to the khaki team. You're never going to be alone in this journey. But let me be very clear. Our work is serious business. What we need from you, starting today is simple but important.
We need you to show up on day one in anchors and offer a fresh perspective on the policies and procedures within your command. You're expected to make big decisions every single day with one goal in mind, which is warfighting readiness. We must be ready now.
So ask yourself and your shipmates one simple question. Are we ready? Review Strategic guidance, including the CNO NAV Plan 2021 released earlier this month, and the Tri-Service Maritime Strategy Document called Advantage to Sea. When the world needs us, it won't be a slow ramp up.
You and your Sailors must be ready to go on a moment's notice to prepare for that day. We need you to shift your focus to our Navy’s maritime priorities and emphasize designing and training our force to respond quickly and efficiently. Do you know your contribution and responsibilities in a distributed mobilization? How are you going to lead during a mass demob?
You know, we've done and continue to do much to be proud of in our 105-year history, but there is still much work to be done. We're going to ask you to make hard decisions, so it's important that you're ready to respond to the timeless phrase; ask the chief.
It's going to happen. You no longer have the luxury of simply taking orders for action. You must think, lead, understand and contribute to our strategic objectives. You also need to set an example for these young Sailors and junior officers around you and push them to be the best that they can be.
We're counting on you to make it happen, and I know you got this. Chiefs, once again, congratulations. Welcome to an elite team. In closing, Force and I have just one question for you; Are you ready now?”
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