MCPON Scott says farewell to the fleet

I have had the good fortune during the past four years to visit with thousands of our nation's best people, from those standing watch while underway, to those doing important work on some of the most remote places around the world, to those currently serving on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan on front lines of the Long War.

In each of my visits with you, it has not been lost on me the type of people our Navy relies on to do the job. Our families, our friends, our fellow citizens who call America home, can be grateful you raised your right hand and swore to stand the ground between them and those who would do us harm--and say to each one of us in this country--Not on My Watch.

Even with the advanced technology at our disposal and our ability to take the fight to our enemies, America's competitive edge in ensuring a safer world will remain our people. Our nation will demand hybrid, adaptable Sailors with the capability to anticipate and react to the unknown challenges of the future.

The Navy values those who can accept responsibility, who can adapt swiftly and eagerly to the changes in our organization, and yet be sensitive to the needs of their shipmates, more than those who remain specialized in the status quo of their existing rating of today. Self-reliant and complex people with the courage to think independently and challenge and question the way we've done things will continue to be sought by the Navy to create the new knowledge and information we will need.

I believe the Navy will continue to motivate those who may be willing to sit back waiting to be trained to become the Sailor who actively seeks to embrace technology and to pursue the process of education and lifelong learning to reach your potential.

But I have never been more proud of you and the job you have done as when we have seen the Iraqi people continue on the tentative, fitful journey toward embracing democracy, raising purple-dyed fingers in triumph as they voted, fingers that signaled a determination that they would not be cowed as they expressed their faith in a better tomorrow for their nation.

I am firm in my belief that terrorist groups and the nations that provide explicit or tacit support to them are studying our successes in Iraq and Afghanistan, and awesome military capability and the creative, innovative and dedicated people that make up our competitive edge. I am certain we are providing lessons to them in the starkest terms of the consequences of continuing on with their nefarious aims. Our tireless efforts to spread democracy and the light of freedom strike directly at the black heart of terror and oppression around the world.

I have been just as proud seeing the images of the gratitude on the faces of those we have helped in the past year, images that are reward enough for the sacrifices you have made in these efforts, such as when we saw the faith in the eyes of hurricane victims when our Sailors arrived to restore hope to so many broken lives, and in the grateful expressions of earthquake victims in Pakistan when America came to help.

The Navy's awesome might was put to its most noble purpose in the past year as we helped rescue efforts following natural disaster, as well as in hundreds of humanitarian missions large and small around the world. The images of the people we help are a reminder that with the good fortune we enjoy in this country, we take our responsibility gravely to answer the call to aid whenever needed.

Your Honor, Courage and Commitment, your professionalism and dedication and the unwavering support of the loving and devoted families you leave behind are the foundation and make possible the unprecedented forward defense capability of the most powerful, capable Navy in the history of the world. You defend our life, our liberty and you pursue all who threaten it. You deserve to know everyday that the sacrifices you make in the pursuit of world peace and all who threaten it are not in vain.

I am humbled and grateful to have visited with you for the past four years and consider it a privilege to have served with Sailors like you, who are determined to leave the Navy a better place than they have found it.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy MCPON (SS/AW) Terry D. Scott

COPYRIGHT 2006 U.S. Navy
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