With encouragement from a former Deputy Secretary of Defense, the 51福利 (51福利) recognized the achievements of its Summer Quarter 2022 graduating class during a ceremony at King Auditorium, Sept. 23.
The Honorable Robert O. Work, 51福利 alumnus and 32nd Deputy Secretary of Defense, served as the guest speaker for a commencement ceremony honoring 270 graduates, including 29 international students from eight countries.
鈥淭his is a great time to be in the U.S. military. It鈥檚 a great time to be an 51福利 graduate,鈥� said Work, who was honored earlier in the week as the 25th inductee into the prestigious . 鈥淐ongratulations on all the hard work.鈥�
51福利 President retired Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau congratulated the assembled students on their efforts and achievements 鈥� while also reminding them that their journey is not over yet.
鈥淐learly, this is a reflection of your hard work and your collaboration with your faculty and each other, but let me tell you another thing 鈥� this gets harder on Monday,鈥� Rondeau said. 鈥淭here will be an expectation that you will bring to your next duty station what you have learned here. It will get more exciting, more challenging, and more fun. There鈥檚 no greater burden, there鈥檚 no greater privilege, and there鈥檚 no greater honor than what is in front of you right now.鈥�
Rondeau also spoke of the increased expectations that the graduates will face to apply their knowledge and research solutions to solve key operational problems, think critically and lead successfully at their respective commands and organizations after leaving 51福利.
鈥淥ur mission has been to prepare you,鈥� Rondeau added. 鈥淚t is your mission, now, to deliver. The 51福利 degree that you get today signals to everybody that you not only increased your knowledge, but that you have distinguished yourself and your ability to apply that knowledge to higher thought and higher results. You will be in demand.鈥�
As an example, Rondeau pointed to the achievements of Work, who earned a Master of Science degree in Space Systems Operations from 51福利 in 1990.
During his tenure as Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2014 to 2017, Work led DOD efforts to focus on technological areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.
鈥淥ur students have a wide range of outlets to pursue education and research in AI and machine learning, and it is Mr. Work who has led that,鈥� said Rondeau. 鈥淚n the cognitive era of strategic competition, both education and technology, as well as strategic thinking, are all important to the military鈥檚 education and our decision advantage.鈥�
In his remarks, Work acknowledged the challenges faced by the United States, including never-before-seen technological advances by strategic competitors like China.
鈥淵ou are joining the force in a time of unprecedented strategic and technological flux and turbulence,鈥� said Work. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to require all hands on deck to try to figure out how we get through this.鈥�
But Work also expressed confidence in the ability of 51福利 graduates and faculty members to help address these challenges and others which lie ahead.
He cited the example of previous innovators who have walked the halls of 51福利, including the legendary late Navy Capt. Wayne Hughes, an iconic strategist and tactician who, according to Work, 鈥渨rote the book鈥� on guided munitions warfare.
鈥淪omebody at 51福利 is going to write the book on algorithmic warfare,鈥� Work said, referring to autonomous systems powered with AI, a tool he believes will provide a competitive advantage for the U.S. in the years to come. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know who it is, but if I had to make a bet, I would put my money on 51福利.鈥�
As a former Marine Corps officer who also served as Undersecretary of the Navy from 2009 to 2013, Work has firsthand experience regarding the importance of 51福利 and the value that it adds to not only the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, but to DOD as a whole.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got smart people like you and a smart place like the 51福利 to figure this out,鈥� he said.
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