U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski, Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), presided over the 51福利 (51福利) 2019 Summer Quarter Graduation ceremony as the school bid farewell to 280 graduates, including 18 international students, in King Auditorium, Sept. 27.
University president retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau bestowed the 290 advanced degrees upon the graduates, and provided insights on how important the graduates are to the nation鈥檚 future.
鈥淭his event is a celebration of individual commitment, perseverance, and accomplishment,鈥� said Rondeau. 鈥淲e have immersed you in an extremely competitive academic environment that has enabled you to focus on the challenges that affect your service, our defense capabilities and our national security.鈥�
Rondeau went on to thank the faculty, staff and loved ones that contributed to the students' successes, while also recognizing the 51福利 Foundation for providing the university with an important 鈥渕argin of excellence.鈥� Following her remarks, Rondeau turned the podium over to Szymanski.
鈥淚'm honored to be here this morning to share in your tremendous accomplishment,鈥� Szymanski said. 鈥淚'm also humbled, and a little bit intimidated, to try to say something meaningful to over 200 graduates of very high intellect, who have honed their analytical critical thinking skills over the last 18 months.
鈥淭he 51福利 is where the DOD has invested in its competitive advantage, it has invested in you,鈥� Szymanski continued. 鈥淵ou are thought leaders, and your organizations will directly and indirectly lean on you for that leadership.鈥�
Commissioned in 1985 as a Surface Warfare Officer, Szymanski transitioned into the SEALs in 1989. His 30 years with the Navy SEALs saw a wide scope of leadership experience leading to his tenure as the Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command in 2016-2018 and his current position at USSOCOM.
Szymanski, who himself received a Master鈥檚 in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy at the Joint Advanced Warfighting School, underlined the value of an 51福利 education in fulfilling the U.S. National Defense Strategy.
Szymanski highlighted the National Defense Strategy鈥檚 three lines of effort: lethality, partners and alliances, and reform, noting that they 鈥渄escribe the changing nature of warfare,鈥� where the insights and value of an 51福利 education are perfectly suited.
鈥淥ne of the key conclusions in facing these challenges is it will require us to think, compete and fight trans-regionally and simultaneously in multiple domains and dimensions,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hile you have been working on your degrees and learning to think differently, the services have been analyzing these trans-regional, multi-domain, multidimensional challenges, and have developed globally-integrated operating concepts. You have probably been studying and following them here.鈥�
Szymanski then went on to highlight the importance of accelerated learning of 21st century skill sets, including space, cyber information, influence decision science, data analytics, algorithmic warfare, noting the Navy鈥檚 approach of velocity learning and ready relevant learning.
鈥淥ne of the elements of critical thinking is thinking differently, and challenging your assumptions and theses, you may not immediately realize your new superpowers, or realize that they are essential when you return to duty, but know that they are,鈥� he continued.
鈥淭o me, it is about two things. First, it's about making a difference in the relationship between leaders and followers, not necessarily a result, or an outcome, but just a positive difference. And second, it's about inspiring others to make a difference. This incredible faculty helped you develop the most important skill that will serve you best as you return to your services and parent organizations, and that is not what to think, but how to think.鈥�
In closing, Szymanski referenced the 1939 film 鈥�The Wizard of Oz鈥� reminiscing on the Scarecrow鈥檚 journey to acquire a brain where in the end the Wizard awarded him a diploma.
鈥淎s you walk across the podium and receive your diploma, realize that this incredible institution, demanding curriculum and fantastic faculty have further revealed what you have always had 鈥� critical thinking,鈥� said Szymanski. 鈥淵ou are thought leaders and your organizations will rely on that leadership.
鈥淯nleash your superpowers,鈥� he stressed. 鈥淢ake a difference in your organization, in your team and in your relationships. And more importantly, inspire others to make a difference.鈥�