Acting Secretary of the Army visits Fort Benning

By Kellie AbernethyApril 20, 2016

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 20, 2016) -- Like a true Soldier, Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy wasn't content to sit on the sidelines during his visit to Fort Benning April 18. Instead, Murphy started his visit the way Soldiers start their day - participating in physical fitness with more than 100 Officer Candidate School Soldiers.

While Murphy admitted physical fitness at Peden Field was challenging, he said being out there with Soldiers who volunteered after 9/11, knowing they will likely go to war, motivated him.

"To be out there and see their motivation, it was hard not to keep moving along, and even though I got sore after the fourth or fifth obstacle, I knew I was going to keep on going and I was going to finish the job," said Murphy.

The former Army captain and current acting secretary of the Army visited Fort Benning to speak at the Best Ranger Competition award ceremony April 18. Previous speakers at the award ceremony have included Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey in 2015, Adm. William H. McRaven in 2014, and Gen. Colin Powell in 2013.

At the press conference before the award ceremony, Murphy spoke of his pride in the Best Ranger Competition.

"I will tell you, the Best Ranger Competition is the ultimate test for strength, grit, the human spirit and most importantly, teamwork. These competitors - over three days, 60 hours - went through that ultimate crucible of what it takes to be a warrior," said Murphy.

Murphy, who served two deployments in Bosnia and Iraq and was the first Iraq war veteran elected to the U.S. Congress from 2007-2011, noted the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark Milley's priority of readiness, calling the Army "America's varsity team."

"I will tell you, as acting secretary of the Army, when we say priority of our Army, it's readiness. And there is no other number one priority. It is readiness because we must be ready to go," said Murphy.

Murphy also stressed that standards will remain the same regarding the gender integration implementation plan allowing women into all military occupational specialties.

"We are very clear that our Army is about one standard. We are a standards-based Army, we always were and we always will be. And if a man or a woman can meet the standard they can go in any MOS they choose to," said Murphy.

Looking toward the future, Murphy made it clear that he is optimistic about the future of the Army.

"When you see those young men and women who continue to answer the call for our country, who will put themselves in harm's way to keep our Families safe here at home, it is hard not to be optimistic," said Murphy. "You know that is the best that our country has to offer."