Dear Soldiers, Civilians and Families of our Army Team,
Serving as your 25th Secretary of the Army has been the greatest honor of my professional life.
As I prepare to leave office on January 20th, I will carry with me cherished memories: soldiers persevering through basic training, the pride of their families at graduations, the professionalism of our soldiers in training and exercises around the world, their spirit of innovation, and the dedication of our recruiters. I will also remember the solemn dignity of transfer ceremonies at Dover and the pain of the families, though I know they find some solace in the Army's unwavering support.
I am deeply grateful for everything our Army civilians do to ensure our soldiers and their families have the support they need to protect and defend our great nation. I will remember their extraordinary contributions working in our depots, labs, and locations around the world.
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our combined military and civilian team, I will depart as Secretary filled with pride in all that we have accomplished.
Together, we achieved the most substantial modernization of our offensive and defensive systems in the last forty years, effectively using resources and new authorities to equip our soldiers with vital warfighting capabilities. We envisioned and are now implementing significant changes to our force structure, ensuring the Army is prepared for large-scale combat against advanced adversaries.
Together, we improved quality of life for our soldiers and families by constructing new barracks and daycare centers, piloting new dining options, and providing more time for new parents. We navigated a profound recruiting crisis, transformed our recruiting enterprise, and set the Army on a path to rebuild its end strength.
My time as Secretary has affirmed for me that people are what sets the Army apart and makes us the best Army in the world. I will miss the responsibility that comes with being in the arena, but I will miss the Army and our people so much more.
It has been a privilege and adventure to serve with you, working to make our Army better, stronger, and more lethal. You have my enormous gratitude for all that you do, and I wish you Godspeed.
Christine E. Wormuth
SA25 Farewell Message to the Force.pdf [PDF - 71 KB]
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