Glee Club Remarks - Service, Honor, Stewardship
This past Wednesday night, I spoke to the U.S. Naval Academy Men’s Glee Club Annual Dine-In. The Dine-In is an annual military tradition – think “military + choir + fraternity.”

Since the Academy is home to some of our nation’s best and brightest students, they often have occasion to hear from some of our nation’s best and brightest leaders. Knowing that, I was admittedly surprised I was asked to join them. In my time with them, I pointed to 3 dynamics that we share in common, 3 characteristics that are areas where we can learn from each other as we prepare for the adventures and challenges ahead.

1. We share similar dynamics in our service - perceived public realities about our jobs are not realities; real service is not what the public thinks it is.

2. We demonstrate honor when as we quietly fulfill our duties. Quietly doing our duty without pomp and circumstance is honorable. What is honorable and respectable is a call faithfully answered, a charge kept - in quiet, unnoticed service.

3. We are both called to be good stewards. With great power comes great responsibility. Too whom much is given, much is required.

President Teddy Roosevelt said “a good Navy is not a provocation to war; it is the surest guaranty of peace.” As former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, he understood America must have a forward-looking strategy for freedom. The service of the men at the Naval Academy is part of our strategy. Their honorable duties quietly fulfilled make America steadfast in a world of challenge and change. Their good stewardship of this moment gives pause to our enemies and strength to our allies.