States against all enemies foreign and domestic and i will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and i take this obligation freely without mental reservation or purpose of evasion and that i will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which im. Bout to enter, so help me god [applause] i grow book ladies and please stand for the posting of the colors. Please be seated. Gentlemen, the. Oint chaired chief of staff mr. President , Vice President , this doing this distinguished guests, thank you for being here today and your unwavering support. We are all deeply humbled by your presence. Thank you for the confidence you have placed in me and for your personal leadership and commitment. You can rest assured that i will warm, provide you with a candid military advice for you, and the National Security council and to the congress. Vice president pence, thank you also for your leadership and continue to us continued support. Many women like those who stand before you, they are remarkable and represent almost 3 million men and women in the armed forces. 24 7 ino stand watch land, sea andp on cyberspace, defending our nation and protecting our rallies and our sacred constitution. We are deployed in over 160 countries around the world today, many in harms way, we ask you keep them in your families in your thoughts and prayers. Those great groups. They are an example for all of us to follow and i know that i have big shoes to fill. I have served with him in combat and i consider him a close, personal friend forged with the bonds of combat that only shared sacrifices can produce. It is truly an honor to follow general dunford to become the next distinguished chairman. Example of use their professionalism as a model in the years to come and i look forward to serving with my fellow chiefs and Senior Leaders to address the National Security issues of today. I see many chiefs of the fence around the world whose presence demonstrate our shared interests and common values. I look forward to working with all of you to ensure our collective security and most importantly, im eternally grateful for my family. Thents are part of greatest generation. Although they have both passed on, i carried their integrity and selfservice Selfless Service on a daily basis. I thank my classmates from high school and college and our friends on the hockey team who barely one again. I thank you for your continued support. Im incredibly grateful to my wife for her love of sports and inspiration. The kidsup along with have sacrificed so much for our. Ation our family has sacrificed more know. Hey uponof you are the rock which i draw strength. Thecomplex challenges of International Environment stand ready and we stand ready to keep the peace or if necessary, when the war. We have a best led military in Human History and our adversaries should know never to labilitymate how cap ourcap realogy capability. Support andide leadership to our troops and families. At the end of the ceremony, we will sing a tribute to america. Seriously wounded in action and today represents all the Wounded Warriors killed in action. Both our friends and enemies alike should know that we do all the uniform, we are captain of the us and we are all willing to lay it out on the experimentserve this in liberty that we call america and pass it on for the next generation. God bless you and god bless the United States of america. Ladies and gentlemen, the 27th secretary of defense. Good morning. Present trump, Vice President guests,d distinguished thank you for joining today. Welcome to henderson all. Since its establishment in 1863, this historic base overlook the capital. Airmen, youoldiers, represent the fighting spirit of our United States military that has sustained throughout history. Thanks for being here today and as always, you look fantastic. I wanted to acknowledge by. Tarting with general dunford i want to knowledge his incredible career of distinguished service. He has led troops through war and peace. He excelled in every level of command and as the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, prepare for the new era of competition that is now upon us. Ive had the opportunity to know him and his wife over the past two years and had the privilege of working closely with him over the past two months. The department of defense has benefited greatly. People leave behind steady leadership that will remain with us after he departs. As he transitions to the next phase of his life in massachusetts, they will surely be missed. On behalf of the entire , thank youof defense for all you have done to protect and defend this nation. We are very fortunate to have another incredible leader. General martin really a gym assume the duties of the joint chiefs of staff. I know well the incredible talent, energy and dedication he brings to this position. During his time, as chief of staff, he helped rebuild the army greatness which suffered. At the same time, he advanced the armys ability to prepare for future warfare. The president cannot have selected a more competent advisor or capable soldier. General, congratulations to you and your wife as you take on this awesome responsibility. I have no doubt that you will continue to lead our military to greatness. Today, all throughout the world, the United States armed forces are positioned to protect our interests. Accomplishing all that our would notands of us be possible without the American People, congress and the backing ofan administration in place roadies. The department of defense has made tremendous greens gains banks to present trump. Strengthg the military requires steady defense. Maintaining stability around the world requires allies and partners to contribute more. Under President Trumps leadership, they are making efforts. President trump has given us the authority to effectively operate cyberspace and positioning us to defend in outer space as well. I want to thank you for your unwavering commitment to our service members, family members and to a Strong National defense. Thank you. As we transition today, what remains constant is the willingness of our men and women in uniform to sacrifice the good of our country. Vice president pence, the son of a soldier and father of the marine understands these sacrifices as well. As we prepare for the many willenges, it is this that maintain the readiness of our troops. Ladies in german, please welcome joining Vice President. Ike pence mr. President , secretary secretary pompeo, members of the cabinet, and especially the men and women of the united here. , it is honor to be join me as we install the 20th chairman of the joint chief of staff, general mark really today as we mark the chair, we dohis well to pay a gratitude to a man who has served with this this nation with distinction. He led troops to battle during Operation Iraqi freedom and over the past five years, i can personally attest during our tenure but is too strong leadership and sound counsel at the highest level of our military and government. Today, we pay a debt of dunford. To general thank you for your service and thank you for always being faithful. And to general milli, the new chair of the joint chiefs of staff, i know i speak on the half of your commanderinchief and a grateful nation when i say to you and your family, thank you for calling the serve calling to serve once again. You have served with courage and distinction. ,ou have led troops into combat served as the 39th chief of staff or the army. Begins, let me assure you that you have the confidence of your commanderinchief. Thank you for your leadership and service. As your tenure begins, i know. Ou will be pleased to know the greatestiting military in the world. It is the greatest force the world has ever known and since the first day of the administration, presence on it taking those terry action after years of budget cuts, President Trump thought for insecurity largest budget and our National Defense including the largest pay raise for our troops in more than a decade. It initiated the modernization of our nuclear arsenal, contribute more to our common defense than ever before and we to well on our way establishing the sixth branch of our armed forces. Space forcetates will soon be a reality. Finally, thanks to the president s strong leadership, Congress Approved a budget deal of the historic investments we made, provides the American People know that President Donald Trump has no higher priority than the safety and security of people in this , present trumpy is proving once again that he will provide for the common. Efense as he said we will defend our country is we will defend people. All of here who are gathered to wear the uniform. Ofthis momentous occasion possibility, it is my high honor and state privilege to introduce your commanderinchief and a great champion of all the men and women in the armed forces in the president tes, pass, past, present and future. I now welcome donald trump. The president thank you very much, mike. And i have to start off by saying that all of my life ive heard that if it rains on a big occasion, it brings luck. So, mark, i think youre going to be the luckiest general in history. laughter i want to thank everybody for being here Vice President pence. And thank you all for the Incredible Service members. We have the finest military anywhere in the world. The American Military is the greating greatest fighting force, without question, in the history of the world. And today its stronger than its ever been, by a large factor. No enemy on earth can match the awesome might of the american army, navy, air force, coast guard, and the United States marines. Were gathered together for a truly historic occasion. Were here to welcome our Outstanding New chairman of the joint chiefs of staff general mark milley. Mark, i want to congratulate you. Youre my friend. Youre my advisor. And you deserve this position. I never had a doubt. Congratulations. applause i also want to express our profound gratitude to marks wife hollyanne, and his children, mary and peter, for their selfless devotion to our country. The strength of our military is truly found in the love and support of our military families. So important. Those families are so important. Were especially honored to be joined by some of americas gold star families. Your treasured loved ones made the supreme sacrifice for our nation. Theyre looking down on you right now. You look up in the sky, and theyre looking down on you. Our debt to you is infinite and eternal. America will hold you in its heart forever. And we will never forget. Were also grateful to the many veterans here today. applause to our heroic Wounded Warriors in attendance our nation will always remember what you did for the cause of freedom. Joining us as well are secretary mark esper. Thank you, mark. Great job youre doing. Secretary mike pompeo. Mike, thank you very much. Epa administrator andrew wheeler. Thank you, andrew. Many of our great secretaries and my cabinet and service chiefs. I know we have a couple of wonderful representatives i think you have many, so ill get myself in trouble, but i see john carter and i see brad wenstrup. Thank you very much for being here, fellas. Thank you very much. And i see a senator thats so supportive of our military and this administration, senator dan sullivan. Thank you, dan, of alaska. Done a great job. As we prepare to welcome a new chairman, we must first pay tribute to one of americas most admired and beloved military leaders outgoing chairman joseph dunford, here today with his wonderful wife, ellyn. Joe dunford hails from just outside boston. His father was a marine and a tough one who landed on inchon, in korea, and fought at the chosin reservoir. So, joe knew which branch he was destined to join. He didnt have too much of a decision to make, i think. What do you think about that . Huh huh . Not a big decision . No. In 1977, he was commissioned into the u. S. Marine corps. In 2003, joe commanded some of the First American troops in Operation Iraqi freedom and very, very successfully commanded them. For his exceptional bravery, he received the legion of merit with combat valor. As a general, joe was promoted so quickly that he was nominated for his third star before he had formally received his second. How do you do that . How do you do that, joe . In 2013, he was named interNational SecurityAssistance Force commander in afghanistan. And he was instrumental in strengthening Afghan Security forces to share more of the burden. And today, they are indeed sharing much more of the burden. In 2014, joe became commandant of the marine corps, and the next year he was named chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. And in that role, joe published the first joint military net assessment in 20 years. We have a lot of the ideas that weve brought forward. And, you know, weve spent 2. 5 trillion since im president 2. 5 trillion far more than this country has ever even thought about spending. But we had to have a modern, great military with the most magnificent and the finest machinery, planes, boats, ships, weapons of all kinds. Weve never had anything like you have today. When i took over, we were a very depleted military, and today were at a level that we have never even come close to. Joe solidified americas competitive advantage through global integration of the joint force. He also provided critical leadership during the complete rebuilding of our military. Rebuilding of our military and he helped me in another way, something that probably only joe and ellen really knew. Say 2015, i sat with joe at a dinner and believe it or not, i was getting a big award from the marines. Joe was presenting the awards. I had no thought of running for president. Family,o my wife and look at that guy. Great looking guy, isnt he . He like central casting. Ray out of hollywood. He made a great presentation that night. I got to talk to him because i sat with him and ellen and his asking lots of questions about the military. I said, you really enjoy this, dont you . I love our country. I said i dont know, what do you think . Should i give it a shot . He was one of the first people i asked. I said what do you think . Do you think i would have a shot . If i get it, we are going to rebuild that military. Form an opinion. He gave me a lot of information, and he has ever since. For that, i want to thank you and ellen and i want to thank patrick. I hope i got his name right. It was a long time ago, but i think his name was patrick, right . That i do good . I do good . He provided Strategic Direction to the campaign against isis in iraq and syria. With the great courage of our fighters, i am proud to say the isis territorial caliphate has been 100 completely obliterated. Office, it was a mess. Now we have thousands of captured isis fighters and we have 100 of the caliphate. As chairman, joe has been a strong supporter and crucial advocate for creating the six the branch of the u. S. Armed forces, something im really proud about. Something, when i make these big speeches in these massive arenas loaded with people, thousands and thousands, it just about gets the number one line of applause because i say we are creating the space force in the place goes crazy. Popularity, because that is where its going to be, more and more. General, your life example five those words that beat in the heart of every marine, semper fi. America salutes your incredible legacy of noble service. You have been exceptional. Thank you very much. [applause] pres. Trump i think they like you, joe. As one exceptional chairman departs, our nation gains another. Takes generallley dunfords place as the highest Ranking Member of the most skilled military ever assembled in Human History. Mark has been preparing for his. Uty his entire life like joe, he grew up in a family of patriots just outside of boston. His dad was a navy corpsman, tough as can be. Was he that tough . No games . He says no games. Strong navya corpsman, serving with the Fourth Marine Division in world war ii. A veteran of the assault landings in the Marshall Islands jima. Gn and iwo the war, marcs mother also served at a Navy Hospital in seattle, treating wounded men from the pacific. Markred by their example, chose the path of duty and a life of service. He could have done whatever he wanted. Way. S exceptional in every in 1980, he was commissioned into the army and quickly joined the ranks of its finest soldiers. He graduated from the Army Rangers School and became a master parachutist and a green beret. Mark deployed to panama, colombia, korea, somalia, egypt, haiti, bosnia, iraq, and verynistan, often seeing close up the combat. Shown immense valor on almost every continent. He is the recipient of the distinguished service medal, four bronze stars, and two awards of the combat infantry badge with degrees from princeton, columbia i didnt know you are such a great academic. More. Give you a little im impressed with that. Thats very good. And the naval war college. But i like you anyway. Mark is living proof the american war fighters are the toughest, rapist, best, and brightest by far anywhere in the world. Following four deployments to iraq and afghanistan, he became the 39th chief of staff of the army in 2015. Over the last several years, he has worked tirelessly to rebuild the depleted force into a fully manned, fully trained, fully equipped army prepared to with to achieve complete victory in the conflicts of tomorrow. When we were determining where we were going to spend these billions of dollars like you have never seen, we have never seen it in decades, i went with mark i sat . , i sat with , and i know we spent it wisely. 2. 5 trillion. We built the Army Futures Command and he created Security Forces assistant brigades to reduce the need for large deployments. When mark took over, only two brigade combat teams were at the highest levels of readiness. Today, that number stands at 28. An extraordinary turnaround. I congratulate everybody here today. [applause] pres. Trump Americas Armed forces forces are more powerful than ever and growing even stronger. We have the newest equipment and we also have equipment that we keep under wraps that nobody has ever even heard of. That we pray to god we would never have to use. Nuclear has been totally rebuilt. Some brandnew and some refurbished. But we hope to god we never have to use any of our weapons, any of our weapons. In his new role as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, general milley will serve as my chief military advisor. I have absolute confidence he will fulfill his duty with the same brilliance he has shown throughout his very distinguished career. Bradley great general to the famed joe dunford, our nation has been blessed by the advice, counsel, and wisdom of 19 chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Today we passed the baton to the 20th. Together, we vowed to continue the Righteous Mission that has united every chairman and every patriot ever to wear the uniform and to defend our Great American flag. We will keep america safe. We will keep america strong. And we will keep america proud so that our children and their children will forever and always be free. Thank you again, general dunford , for the incredible job you and done, into general to general mark milley, good luck, godspeed, god bless you, god bless our military, and god bless america. Thank you all for being here. Thank. Rate honor. [applause] mea ladies and gentlemen ladies and gentlemen, a soldier severely wounded in afghanistan uses Music Therapy as a critical component to his healing. He will now join in thinking god bless america. [applause] singing god bless america] join in singing a chorus. [applause] please join in the standing of the armed forces. The United States coast guard. The United States air force the United States navy. Ladies and gentlemen, the army song. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain at your feet until the official departure. [applause] [applause] announcer 1 next, a discussion on social media and the First Amendment. That, the new biography of Vice President pence, then political analyst charlie cook looks at the 2020 elections. Next, a discussion on the intersection of social media and the First Amendment including whether the amendment barred congress from regulating digital platforms. A representative from facebook joined legal practitioners and tech journalist