LT
General Tad Oelstrom, USAF (Ret)
June 4, 2008
It is an honor to be here and a pleasure to recognize these great young Americans who have chosen to serve in our military. When old retired officer like me pulls out the uniform for a special event like this, you can’t help but reflect on the years gone by. For me it was 43 years ago when I was commissioned - - and much like today, it was cool, and rainy. And, maybe like those being honored today, I was wondering what was in store for me.
First I would like to thank the ROTC units that recruited you, taught you, and perfected you for this day. They are an invaluable resource to our community and nation, and deserve great credit for producing the majority of the officers in our military.
A special thanks to Pres Faust. It is so meaningful to have her here. Harvard is a great patriotic university with an incredibly long record of encouraging public service. Madam President, your presence is a powerful statement to the community and to these great young Americans as they transition from student to officer.
Next, a few words to the parents of these wonderful young men and women:
You should take immense pride in your sons and daughters
You should take credit for instilling in them the patriotism and love of nation that has resulted in their decision to pursue military service
You should be confident that they will be trained in the finest military in the world to serve to their country
You should be comforted that your sons and daughters thought long and hard about their career decision and that they are pursuing a dream which bring a daily sense of pride to your lives.
Thank you for all you have done to get them to this moment.
Now, let them go
To the soon to be Officers:
It is your turn - - - to serve your country, to walk in the footsteps of the thousands of Harvard graduates and millions of men and women that preceded you in the US military ranks.
What does future hold? I would start with excitement. Strap in tight, you are in for a great ride. Every new officer looks at the plateful of military activities that have recently transpired and wonders whether there will be any excitement left for them. You don’t have to go far to dispel that doubt. Just reflect on the tactical and operational challenges that have been associated with ongoing conflicts in the broader Middle East. There have been immense sacrifices made by so many and a remarkable transformation in our forces to master counterinsurgency and stability operations. You will immediately step into that transformation.
I recognize that you are not just newly minted officers - - you are Harvard grads who need challenges worthy of their education and potential. I pose three categories of challenges - - all of which are open to your contribution:
First, and no surprise here, we want you to perfect our militaries role in countering fundamentalist and violent extremism - - and, when called upon, protect freedom loving people from those threats. And, simultaneously, ensure our military maintains the strength to counter both conventional and unconventional threats while protecting our homeland.
Second, there is a growing need to reset traditional sources of American influence and effectiveness around the world. The US military carries a large burden for building and executing our alliances and partnerships. From the soldier on the street corner in Sadr City to the negotiating tables of NATO - - you can influence it all.
Third, correct the strategy-resources mismatch. It is not possible to enlarge the ground forces, maintain a technological advantage against any potential foe, develop and secure space and cyberspace, and incorporate huge tactical/operational changes without a larger commitment to fund defense. You will be in the middle of these tradeoffs during your entire career and all of you can make a difference.
I don’t propose answers to any of these challenges, but can assure you that as leaders of our forces, you will wrestle with each of these over a career.
I would be remiss if I didn’t offer some guidance, but know
better to bore you with another lecture on leadership and character. I will keep
it simple and short, and give you just one of the Knows from my list. That’s
K-N-O-W-S.
Know on whose shoulders you ride - - you are joining a team activity.
Your success is dependent on those around you - - and most of them will not be
your superiors. Frank Schaeffer, a noted author, has written a number of books
that help us understand the commitment to military service and identifies the
moment when you realize the importance of team. Frank says that the moment is
“When the marine next to you is now more important than personal well being”.
Know on whose shoulders you ride.
Congratulations, and thank you for making the decision to serve your country in uniform. The second you pin on that officer’s rank, you are a leader. All that talk about tomorrow’s leaders is over. Today you become a leader in service to your nation.
And as a leader, you have an impact on everyone you come in contact with. Make it a positive impact. In an interview many years ago the great stage actress Helen Hayes was asked the secret to her flawless performances day after day, year after year. Her reply: “When I get on stage, I know the audience has expectations of a great performance -- I am not about to disappoint”.
As a leader you are on stage every minute - - and every minute your audience expects a flawless performance.
You are ready - - enjoy.