Austin III and the civilian leadership of the Defense Department also attended. In addition to the combatant commanders and their spouses, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. More than 50 defense and national security leaders attended the Combatant Commander Dinner. They're at their posts, dealing with the war in Europe and the crisis in Sudan.'īiden also thanked the spouses and families of the commanders. Africa Command, 'couldn't be with us tonight because they're standing guard right now. Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S.

This work continues even as the combat environment grows to include space and the cyber world.īiden noted that two of the combatant commanders, Army Gen. The president also noted the critical day-to-day work strengthening of American alliances from NATO to Japan and the Republic of Korea, the Philippines and Australia. 'And each and every day, you put our nation in the strongest possible strategic position around the world.' 'You continue to take terrorists off the battlefield with precision and professionalism, protecting our nation and our allies and interests against the enduring threat,' he said. 'You probably don't think about it, but you're just remarkable, remarkable, remarkable group of people.' embassy in Khartoum, Sudan and 'the treatment and capabilities and commitments of our armed forces helping American people anywhere in the world,' Biden said. He also noted the smooth process of evacuating the U.S. 'I have to admit to you, I was a little bit surprised just how … courageous, how amazingly brave, not only the military is but … the Ukrainian people. 'You've armed, you've equipped, and you've trained a proud and brave Ukrainian army and helped them preserve their liberty and their democracy,' he said. The president also thanked the commanders for their impressive leadership of the past year as Russia has continued its war on neighboring Ukraine. Defense leaders have a 'sacred obligation … to prepare those we send into harm's way and take care of them and their families when they come home - and to care for them in a way that they deserve,' the president said. 'I think other leaders around the world who don't share the same view as we do, are beginning to understand that,' he said.īut the credit belongs to the men and women of the force. military is the finest the world has ever seen. The president said it is not a hyperbole to state the U.S. 'And as a mark of these milestones, … I challenge you to keep strengthening that chain in big and small ways - to keep sharpening our military edge in the field and across the forces, to keep taking on the challenges of today and tomorrow.' 'Each one of you over the years - this chain has grown stronger,' Biden said. Finally, he noted it is 50 years since the all-volunteer force became a reality. It is also 75 years since women were integrated into the military.

Truman's executive order banning segregation in the military. He noted the military is marking the 75th anniversary of President Harry S. The president said the chain of honor becomes stronger when there are no artificial restraints on service.

What does commander in chief mean