For 38 years, I have been privileged to serve as an American Soldier – there has been no greater honor. For the last four years, I have served you as your Chief of Staff.

Today, nearly 370,000 of you are on point for the Nation in more than 120 countries around the globe. You are decisively fighting our Nation’s wars, keeping the peace in places important to us, and preserving the freedom and privileges we all enjoy. You are the best Soldiers in the world, the most respected Army in the world, and the most feared ground force to those who would threaten the interests of the United States. On your broad shoulders, you carry the hopes of our Nation, and your spirit is indomitable. You do not waiver; you do not flinch; and you never quit, no matter how difficult the mission.

All of us know that we do not Soldier alone. Again and again, I have seen the tremendous courage that resides among our families. They sacrifice for us so that we can serve; they support us through the most challenging days; they patiently wait for us when we are deployed; and they enable each of us to remain focused on the difficult missions at hand. I am particularly grateful for their unyielding devotion and constant support in the difficult months since our Nation was attacked on 11 September – their strength and generosity is an inspiration to us all. Our Army families are inextricably linked to our readiness.

I am so very proud of each of you – Soldier, civilian, veteran, retiree, and all of your families. Typical of your 228-year legacy, you have accomplished more than I could have ever asked. In less than four years – while fighting the global war on terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom – you have dramatically improved the Well-Being of our people; preserved the warfighting readiness of our Legacy force; fielded the first of our 6 Stryker Brigade Combat Teams; and put into place the frameworks that will allow the 35th Chief of Staff to achieve irreversible momentum in Transformation. Your accomplishments are too great and too numerous to recite. But because of all of your efforts, your uncompromising excellence in leadership, and your perseverance, we will see the Objective Force fielded before the end of this decade. You always take your objective.

As I stand my final formation on 11 June 2003 and in the years ahead, you will remain in my prayers that God will grant his tender mercies upon you and keep you safe. God bless you and your families, our magnificent Army, and our great Nation.