Rumsfeld Welcomes New Marine Corps Commandant

[jackson07]

http://defenselink.mil/News/NewsArticle.aspx?id=2112

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://www.defenselink.mil/graphics/presserv.gif <!-- /main-head -->


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By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service



</TD></TR><TR><TD>WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2006 – The Defense Department’s top civilian welcomed the Marine Corps’ new commandant today during a change-of-command ceremony at the Marine Barracks here. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=100 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=captions vAlign=top><TABLE borderColor=#000000 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=4 width="100%" align=right bgColor=#fffff5 border=2 alt="photo"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>http://defenselink.mil/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2006-11//061113-D-1934G-001.jpg (http://defenselink.mil/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2006-11//061113-D-1934G-001.jpg)
061113-D-1934G-001 – Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, right, sits next to outgoing Marine Commandant Gen. Michael Hagee during the change-of-command ceremony Nov. 13 at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. Marine Gen. James T. Conway succeeded Hagee as the new commandant. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore '(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image (http://defenselink.mil/DODCMSShare/NewsStoryPhoto/2006-11//hires_061113-D-1934G-001.jpg) available.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld watched as outgoing commandant Gen. Michael Hagee passed the Marine Corps’ battle flag and command to Gen. James T. Conway.

Rumsfeld praised both officers at the ceremony, citing Hagee’s myriad accomplishments over the retiring general’s long career.

As commandant, Hagee “left behind a Marine Corps that under his watch has become the best-trained, the best-led, and the best-equipped force in history,” Rumsfeld pointed out.

Hagee has led the Marine Corps during some of the organization’s most challenging times, Rumsfeld noted, citing the Marines’ hard fighting in Fallujah, Ramadi and other parts of western Iraq.

As he looked at hundreds of Marines attired in their striking dress-blue uniforms, Rumfeld remarked that heroes aren’t in short supply in the Marine Corps.

“We can say with pride that many of this nation’s bravest young people are those who proudly wear the eagle, the globe and the anchor,” the defense secretary asserted.

Rumsfeld pointed to the heroism of Marine Corps Cpl. Jason Dunham, of Scio, N.Y., the second Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom, who gave his life to save his fellow Marines. On April 14, 2004, in the Iraqi town of Karabilah, Dunham covered an about-to-explode enemy grenade with his helmet and body, saving the lives of his fellow Marines. Dunham was seriously injured by the blast, and died of his wounds eight days later.

The defense secretary also recounted a meeting he’d had with a badly wounded Marine being treated at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Md. The Marine’s fighting spirit was still strong despite his injuries, Rumsfeld recalled.

The wounded Marine had also expressed his wish, the secretary noted, that the American people would grant the military the time it needed to defeat the terrorists in Iraq.

“America is truly blessed to have young men and women like him willing to risk their lives in defense of our country and the cause of human freedom,” Rumsfeld said. “Mike Hagee and I have been fortunate, we have been able to meet and know these fine, young people, every day, and see heroism up close.”

The Marine Corps is also fortunate to have Conway step up to take over the reins from Hagee, Rumsfeld said. Conway led the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq, the secretary recalled, and he had also shaped the minds of promising leaders at Marine Corps University.

The Marines and other members of the U.S. military “are in the hearts and the prayers of everyone here and the people all across our country,” Rumsfeld said.



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[jinelson]

He has a good strong Sergeant Major of The Marine Corps during his adjustment period lets hope he listens to him! Time will tell.

Jim

[jackson07]

Hagee retires, Conway appointed 34th commandant

Nov. 13, 2006; Submitted on: 11/14/2006 03:14:39 PM ; Story ID#: 20061114151439

By Cpl. Aaron K. Clark, Marine Barracks 8th & I




Marine Barracks Washington, Washington D.C. (Nov. 13, 2006) -- Gen. James T. Conway became the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Monday, after assuming command from Gen. Michael W. Hagee during a passage of command ceremony here.

Hagee’s retirement ceremony took place earlier Monday morning, ending 42 years of distinguished military service.

“Throughout all the postings and assignments I have had, the one thing I am most proud of is that since 1968 I have been called a U.S. Marine,” said Hagee.

Secretary of Defense, Donald H. Rumsfeld, was present for the retirement and the passage of command ceremony.

“(Hagee) left behind a Marine Corps that under his watch has become the best-trained, the best-led, and the best-equipped force in history,” Rumsfeld said. He also noted Hagee has led the Marine Corps during some of the organization’s most challenging times, citing the Marines’ hard fighting in Fallujah, Ramadi and other parts of western Iraq.

“Heroes are not in short supply,” Rumsfeld said of today’s Marines. “We can say with pride that many of this nation’s greatest young people are those who proudly wear the eagle, the globe and the anchor.”

Conway, a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1970, where he held a variety of platoon and company commander billets. As a field grade officer, he taught tactics at The Basic School, served as operations officer for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to include contingency operations off Beirut, Lebanon, commanded Battalion Landing Team 3/2 during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and served as commanding officer of TBS.

As a general officer, Conway has served as the commander of the First Marine Expeditionary Force during two combat tours in Iraq, the president of the Marine Corps University at Quantico, Va., and the Director of Operations, J-3, on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, where he served prior to becoming Commandant of the Marine Corps.

“The raw courage, the selflessness, the teamwork demonstrated by this young generation is absolutely unbelievable,” said Conway. “I would suggest that our services, our Corps and our nation are in great shape for a long time to come.”

Conway takes the helm as Marines continue to engage enemies on the frontlines of the Global War on Terrorism.

“This is going to take awhile,” he said of ongoing operations in Iraq. “With your support there is only one outcome, and that is victory.”