WEBVTT 00:13.970 --> 00:16.192 Ladies and gentlemen , on behalf of the 00:16.192 --> 00:18.303 Honorable Michael P . Duffy , welcome 00:18.303 --> 00:20.526 to today's assumption of leadership for 00:20.526 --> 00:22.803 the Defense Contract Management Agency . 00:22.803 --> 00:24.859 I am Colonel Howe and I will be your 00:24.859 --> 00:27.081 master of ceremonies today . Throughout 00:27.081 --> 00:29.192 the ceremony , you will be given cues 00:29.192 --> 00:30.803 to rise and be seated at the 00:30.803 --> 00:33.026 appropriate times . For the arrival and 00:33.026 --> 00:35.137 the departure of the official party , 00:35.137 --> 00:37.303 the guests will be asked to rise , and 00:37.303 --> 00:39.470 military personnel in uniform will don 00:39.470 --> 00:41.803 covers and render honors as appropriate . 00:41.803 --> 00:43.914 At this time , we ask that all badges 00:43.914 --> 00:46.026 be removed and as a reminder , please 00:46.026 --> 00:47.914 silence all cell phones and other 00:47.914 --> 00:50.081 electronic devices for the duration of 00:50.081 --> 00:51.581 the ceremony . Thank you . 00:57.189 --> 00:59.630 Posen , post the side boys . 01:08.949 --> 01:10.838 Good morning . It is my honor and 01:10.838 --> 01:12.838 privilege to welcome you to today's 01:12.838 --> 01:14.838 assumption of Leadership ceremony , 01:14.838 --> 01:17.029 where Ms . Sonia I . Ebright will be 01:17.029 --> 01:19.470 relieved by Vice Admiral Steven R . 01:19.750 --> 01:22.190 Tedford . The host for today's ceremony 01:22.190 --> 01:24.389 is the Honorable Michael P . Duffy , 01:24.709 --> 01:26.970 Undersecretary of War for Acquisition 01:26.970 --> 01:29.519 and Sustainment . Today we have the 01:29.519 --> 01:32.680 honor of being supported by BM1 Roman 01:32.680 --> 01:35.959 Yebra as our honors bossun , the United 01:35.959 --> 01:39.239 States Air Force 633rd Honor Guard from 01:39.239 --> 01:42.400 Joint Base Langley Eustace . DCMA's 01:42.400 --> 01:44.830 very own Ms . Linda Clark will sing our 01:44.830 --> 01:47.040 national anthem , and our invocation 01:47.040 --> 01:49.096 and benediction will be delivered by 01:49.096 --> 01:51.262 the chaplain , Lieutenant Colonel Lyde 01:51.262 --> 01:53.559 C . Andrews from the Fort Lee garrison . 01:56.010 --> 01:58.177 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise for 01:58.177 --> 02:00.288 the arrival of the official party and 02:00.288 --> 02:02.454 remain standing for the singing of our 02:02.454 --> 02:04.510 national anthem and the invocation . 02:10.399 --> 02:14.240 Defense Agency , United States Navy 02:14.240 --> 02:16.559 captain retired , arriving . 02:34.240 --> 02:36.619 Vice Admiral , United States Navy 02:36.619 --> 02:37.320 arriving . 03:11.990 --> 03:14.259 Under Secretary of War for Acquisition 03:14.259 --> 03:16.119 and Sustainment arriving . 04:26.799 --> 04:29.021 Please join me in welcoming our honored 04:29.021 --> 04:31.243 guests . We are pleased to have with us 04:31.243 --> 04:33.355 today , Vice Admiral Tedford's wife , 04:33.355 --> 04:35.577 Ms . Katherine Tedford , additionally , 04:35.577 --> 04:37.577 his daughters , Ms . Caitlin and Ms 04:37.577 --> 04:39.688 Caroline Tedford , who are joining us 04:39.688 --> 04:42.559 virtually . I would also like to 04:42.559 --> 04:44.670 welcome all general and flag officers 04:44.670 --> 04:46.392 to today's ceremony along with 04:46.392 --> 04:48.392 distinguished members of the Senior 04:48.392 --> 04:51.700 Executive Service in attendance . We 04:51.700 --> 04:53.922 would also like to recognize two former 04:53.922 --> 04:55.756 DCMA directors here with us this 04:55.756 --> 04:57.644 morning . Lieutenant General Greg 04:57.644 --> 04:59.867 Mazzello , United States Marine Corps . 04:59.899 --> 05:01.621 Lieutenant General Mazzello is 05:01.621 --> 05:03.455 currently serving as the program 05:03.455 --> 05:05.621 executive Officer Joint Strike Fighter 05:05.621 --> 05:07.732 Program , and Lieutenant General Dave 05:07.732 --> 05:09.899 Bassett , United States Army retired . 05:09.980 --> 05:12.202 Lieutenant General Bassett is currently 05:12.202 --> 05:14.424 a senior counselor at the Cohen Group . 05:20.750 --> 05:22.861 Finally , I would like to welcome our 05:22.861 --> 05:24.861 DCMA teammates , both in attendance 05:24.861 --> 05:26.972 today and the many that are streaming 05:26.972 --> 05:29.083 from around the globe . Thank you all 05:29.083 --> 05:32.140 for being here . The guard , present 05:32.399 --> 05:33.279 the colors . 06:39.880 --> 06:42.102 Ladies and gentlemen , Miss Linda Clark 06:42.102 --> 06:43.769 to sing our national anthem . 07:07.839 --> 07:09.989 And to 07:19.250 --> 07:20.250 What's so . 07:26.299 --> 07:27.470 Cut that's why . 07:36.869 --> 07:39.450 And sports . I 07:46.070 --> 07:47.559 Hey First . 07:58.089 --> 08:01.059 W . But 08:29.869 --> 08:33.299 Ta da . Charles . 09:37.169 --> 09:39.880 Honor guard , host the colors . 09:58.239 --> 10:00.461 Military in uniform can now uncover for 10:00.461 --> 10:02.461 the invocation and remain uncovered 10:02.461 --> 10:04.406 till the departure of the official 10:04.406 --> 10:08.130 party . Ladies and gentlemen , Chaplain 10:08.130 --> 10:10.489 Andrews will now deliver the invocation . 10:13.239 --> 10:15.350 Let us bow our heads and go to God in 10:15.350 --> 10:18.770 prayer . Dear gracious heavenly Father . 10:19.950 --> 10:22.039 We gather together to both give you 10:22.039 --> 10:25.080 thanks for this day . And to welcome 10:25.260 --> 10:27.900 Vice Admiral Tedford as he assumes 10:27.900 --> 10:30.179 leadership of the Defense Contract 10:30.179 --> 10:33.190 Management Agency . And Lord , we give 10:33.190 --> 10:35.669 you thanks for the professional and 10:35.669 --> 10:38.419 passionate leadership of Miss Ebright 10:38.630 --> 10:40.780 as she so faithfully cared for and 10:40.780 --> 10:43.549 nurtured this organization during her 10:43.549 --> 10:46.469 tenure . We ask now that as Vice 10:46.469 --> 10:49.289 Admiral Tedford joins our DCMA family , 10:50.320 --> 10:53.219 That you would bless him . Guide him . 10:53.880 --> 10:56.760 And endow him and his family with your 10:56.760 --> 10:59.960 wisdom and grace so that he may , along 10:59.960 --> 11:02.071 with the rest of the command team and 11:02.071 --> 11:04.280 staff , both effectively and 11:04.280 --> 11:07.460 compassionately serve the DCMA family 11:07.679 --> 11:09.650 in accordance with your highest of 11:09.650 --> 11:12.659 standards . And we also ask that you 11:12.659 --> 11:15.539 will continue to bestow upon us all a 11:15.539 --> 11:18.020 spirit of unity and shared sense of 11:18.020 --> 11:21.539 mission as we seek to honor you and all 11:21.539 --> 11:24.359 that we do . It is in your most holy 11:24.500 --> 11:27.239 and precious name we pray . Amen . 11:32.570 --> 11:34.903 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 11:41.640 --> 11:43.751 The assumption of leadership ceremony 11:43.751 --> 11:45.918 is a time-honored tradition , formally 11:45.918 --> 11:48.029 restating the continuity of authority 11:48.029 --> 11:50.440 and responsibility of leadership . It 11:50.440 --> 11:52.559 is a solemn occasion conducted before 11:52.559 --> 11:54.448 the assembled agency , as well as 11:54.448 --> 11:56.520 honored guests and dignitaries to 11:56.520 --> 11:58.760 publicly demonstrate the transfer of 11:58.760 --> 12:01.280 total responsibility , authority , and 12:01.280 --> 12:03.280 accountability from one leader to 12:03.280 --> 12:05.719 another . This action is symbolized in 12:05.719 --> 12:07.799 the ceremonial passing of the 12:07.799 --> 12:10.021 organizational colors . Traditionally , 12:10.021 --> 12:12.021 the organizational colors are first 12:12.021 --> 12:14.132 passed from the senior listed advisor 12:14.132 --> 12:16.419 of the agency to the outgoing director . 12:16.799 --> 12:18.910 The outgoing director then passes the 12:18.910 --> 12:20.966 colors along with the accountability 12:20.966 --> 12:23.077 for the organization to the leader of 12:23.077 --> 12:25.400 the organization's higher headquarters . 12:25.979 --> 12:27.868 The colors are then passed to the 12:27.868 --> 12:29.646 incoming director , who accepts 12:29.646 --> 12:31.368 accountability for the mission 12:31.368 --> 12:33.257 accomplishment and welfare of the 12:33.257 --> 12:35.479 Defense Contract Management Agency . 12:35.900 --> 12:37.900 From the new director's hands , the 12:37.900 --> 12:39.789 colors are returned to the senior 12:39.789 --> 12:41.580 enlisted advisor , marking the 12:41.580 --> 12:43.358 beginning of the new director's 12:43.358 --> 12:46.020 leadership . It is my pleasure to 12:46.020 --> 12:48.076 introduce the acting director of the 12:48.076 --> 12:50.409 Defense Contract Management Agency , Ms . 12:50.500 --> 12:51.700 Sonia Ebright . 12:57.799 --> 13:00.489 Thank you , Colonel Howe . So welcome 13:00.489 --> 13:02.600 everyone . Uh , this is a great day . 13:02.600 --> 13:05.219 It's a beautiful day . On behalf of the 13:05.219 --> 13:07.340 men and women of DCMA , I want you to 13:07.340 --> 13:09.340 know how honored we are to have you 13:09.340 --> 13:12.080 join us . This has been an important 13:12.080 --> 13:15.320 year for DCMA . We celebrated our 25th 13:15.320 --> 13:17.098 anniversary , reached the final 13:17.098 --> 13:20.820 milestone in a major reorganization , 13:21.239 --> 13:23.128 and just last week launched a new 13:23.128 --> 13:25.799 strategic plan . Now we cap off this 13:25.799 --> 13:28.919 historic year with a historic day as 13:28.919 --> 13:31.119 the Honorable Michael Duffy presides 13:31.119 --> 13:34.000 over this ceremony , welcoming our 10th 13:34.000 --> 13:36.760 director , Vice Admiral Steven Tetford . 13:37.619 --> 13:40.940 DC Mae was created as a result of 13:40.940 --> 13:43.460 decades of study and realignment to 13:43.460 --> 13:46.090 find the most professional , effective , 13:46.260 --> 13:49.200 and efficient way to provide contract 13:49.200 --> 13:51.380 administration . And acquisition 13:51.380 --> 13:54.179 services across the United States 13:54.179 --> 13:58.080 services . Our DCMA team serves at over 13:58.080 --> 14:01.760 600 sites around the world in 42 14:01.760 --> 14:05.039 nations , often at contractor locations 14:05.520 --> 14:07.760 delivering millions of components , 14:08.080 --> 14:11.780 subcomponents , piece parts . And major 14:11.780 --> 14:15.380 weapons systems . In 2025 alone , 14:15.700 --> 14:18.700 we've delivered over 8000 major weapons 14:18.700 --> 14:21.260 systems to our warfighters . This 14:21.260 --> 14:25.179 includes everything from body armor to 14:25.219 --> 14:28.650 planes . Our people are over in over 14:28.650 --> 14:31.940 18,000 contractor sites working as a 14:31.940 --> 14:34.580 team to deliver weapons that our forces 14:34.580 --> 14:37.099 rely on , weapons that protect the 14:37.099 --> 14:38.988 people of the United States , our 14:38.988 --> 14:40.766 warfighters , our international 14:40.766 --> 14:43.710 partners . As we accept these products , 14:43.869 --> 14:46.869 our teams in 69 field commands make 14:46.869 --> 14:49.036 sure that the contractors get paid for 14:49.036 --> 14:51.091 their work , authorizing more than a 14:51.091 --> 14:54.200 billion dollars a day . And ensuring 14:54.200 --> 14:56.320 that our taxpayers get what they pay 14:56.320 --> 14:59.280 for . But we also deliver insight . 14:59.719 --> 15:01.830 We're increasingly the keepers of the 15:01.830 --> 15:03.830 defense industrial based data . Our 15:03.830 --> 15:05.886 boots on the ground , on the factory 15:05.886 --> 15:08.960 floor , our sensor network . are doing 15:08.960 --> 15:11.599 real-time monitoring , assessing , 15:11.679 --> 15:14.440 problem solving , and reporting on the 15:14.440 --> 15:16.496 health of the nation's major defense 15:16.496 --> 15:19.739 acquisition programs . So let me give 15:19.739 --> 15:23.250 you one quick example . DCMA 15:23.250 --> 15:25.417 representative working at the critical 15:25.417 --> 15:27.989 US Navy contractor Inner Systems in 15:27.989 --> 15:30.270 Warrensburg , Missouri , one of the two 15:30.270 --> 15:32.590 suppliers of the marine submarine valve 15:32.590 --> 15:35.950 regulated lead acid battery used in all 15:35.950 --> 15:38.469 classes of the nuclear submarines . The 15:38.469 --> 15:40.525 batteries were failing prematurely , 15:40.619 --> 15:42.830 causing expensive and time-consuming 15:42.830 --> 15:45.549 dry dock repairs . Through a series of 15:45.549 --> 15:47.859 DCMA-driven corrective actions , 15:48.229 --> 15:50.340 problem solving with the contractor , 15:50.390 --> 15:52.690 and process improvements , the 15:52.690 --> 15:54.746 contractor increased the lifespan of 15:54.746 --> 15:56.857 the batteries and also , by the way , 15:56.857 --> 15:59.190 they reduced their scrap rate by 20 75% . 15:59.859 --> 16:02.081 Inner Systems in Warrensburg , Missouri 16:02.081 --> 16:04.137 is now the premier supplier of these 16:04.137 --> 16:06.679 batteries , and we proudly perform 16:06.940 --> 16:09.340 these functions as part of acquisition 16:09.340 --> 16:12.320 and sustainment team under the guidance 16:12.320 --> 16:14.659 of our presiding official and next 16:14.659 --> 16:17.179 speaker . So it's my pleasure on this 16:17.179 --> 16:19.460 historic day to introduce 16:19.460 --> 16:22.210 Undersecretary Michael Duffy . Over the 16:22.210 --> 16:24.650 past two decades , Mr . Duffy has 16:24.650 --> 16:26.372 served in several senior roles 16:26.372 --> 16:28.150 throughout the War Department , 16:28.289 --> 16:30.456 including Deputy Chief of Staff to the 16:30.456 --> 16:32.760 Secretary of Defense and Chief of Staff 16:32.760 --> 16:35.000 to the Undersecretary of Research and 16:35.000 --> 16:37.369 Engineering , as well as multiple 16:37.369 --> 16:39.849 positions in the former Office of the 16:39.849 --> 16:41.840 Undersecretary of Acquisition , 16:42.049 --> 16:43.969 Logistics and Technology , the 16:43.969 --> 16:47.440 predecessors of today's ANS . Now 16:47.820 --> 16:50.419 as Undersecretary , Mr . Duffy oversees 16:50.419 --> 16:52.141 the department's acquisition , 16:52.141 --> 16:54.140 sustainment , logistics , and 16:54.140 --> 16:56.900 industrial supply base , an industrial 16:56.900 --> 16:59.739 enterprise , and he's leading a 16:59.739 --> 17:03.460 historic modernization effort to ensure 17:03.460 --> 17:05.420 that our warfighters receive the 17:05.420 --> 17:08.140 capabilities they need at the speed of 17:08.140 --> 17:11.219 relevance . Undersecretary Duffy is the 17:11.219 --> 17:13.380 architect of the department's new 17:13.380 --> 17:15.599 acquisition transformation strategy . 17:16.069 --> 17:18.359 Which is revitalizing the arsenal of 17:18.359 --> 17:20.760 freedom , empowering the acquisition 17:20.760 --> 17:24.520 workforce , expanding competition , and 17:24.520 --> 17:26.630 strengthening partnerships with 17:26.630 --> 17:29.400 industry . His leadership is helping 17:29.400 --> 17:32.160 put our defense industrial base on a 17:32.160 --> 17:35.160 true wartime footing while opening 17:35.160 --> 17:37.599 doors for innovation , commercial 17:37.599 --> 17:39.839 capability , and private sector 17:39.839 --> 17:43.579 investments . And DCMA is 17:43.579 --> 17:46.739 very proud to support all of these 17:46.739 --> 17:49.410 efforts . Please join me in welcoming a 17:49.410 --> 17:52.410 leader driving meaningful change across 17:52.410 --> 17:55.390 the department , Undersecretary for War , 17:55.560 --> 17:57.671 for Acquisition and sustainment , the 17:57.671 --> 17:59.116 Honorable Michael Duffy . 18:10.650 --> 18:12.817 Thank you , Sonia , for the kind words 18:12.817 --> 18:14.928 and thank you , Admiral Tedford , the 18:14.928 --> 18:16.983 Combined Armed Support Command , and 18:16.983 --> 18:19.206 Fort Lee team for the warm welcome I've 18:19.206 --> 18:21.372 received since arriving this morning . 18:21.372 --> 18:23.594 It's my pleasure to be here . I'm proud 18:23.594 --> 18:25.428 to formally welcome Vice Admiral 18:25.428 --> 18:27.660 Tedford to the A&S team . And to visit 18:27.660 --> 18:29.438 DCMA and see this workforce and 18:29.438 --> 18:33.400 leadership team in action . Welcome 18:33.400 --> 18:35.456 to this change of command ceremony . 18:35.670 --> 18:37.900 This is an impressive group . The 18:37.900 --> 18:40.800 attendance , both in person and online 18:41.219 --> 18:43.330 is a great reflection on the agency . 18:43.760 --> 18:45.704 And the leaders we are recognizing 18:45.704 --> 18:48.550 today . I'd like to recognize and 18:48.550 --> 18:50.383 welcome a very important guest , 18:50.430 --> 18:52.670 Katherine Tedford . Vice Admiral 18:52.670 --> 18:54.892 Tedford's wife , it's great to have you 18:54.892 --> 18:57.114 with us today , Mrs . Tedford , and I'd 18:57.114 --> 18:59.226 like to personally welcome you to the 18:59.226 --> 19:01.359 ANS team as well . I'm glad we have a 19:01.359 --> 19:03.192 chance to get to get together to 19:03.192 --> 19:05.303 recognize this important transition . 19:05.729 --> 19:09.189 DCMA Often flies under the radar . 19:09.729 --> 19:11.951 Some don't understand the value you add 19:11.951 --> 19:15.489 to the enterprise , but I do . I want 19:15.489 --> 19:18.130 to express express my deep gratitude to 19:18.130 --> 19:20.019 Sonia E . Bright for her seamless 19:20.019 --> 19:23.050 leadership as acting director of DACMA 19:23.050 --> 19:26.420 for the past 4 months . So you and your 19:26.420 --> 19:28.309 dedication to this agency and its 19:28.309 --> 19:31.589 mission is truly remarkable . I 19:31.589 --> 19:33.589 appreciate your willingness to step 19:33.589 --> 19:35.645 into this role when General Maciello 19:35.645 --> 19:37.700 moved to take over the leadership of 19:37.700 --> 19:40.229 the F-35 program office . You provided 19:40.229 --> 19:43.349 stability when it was needed most . We 19:43.349 --> 19:45.910 had no idea at that time we would be 19:45.910 --> 19:47.854 navigating a government shutdown , 19:48.069 --> 19:50.125 making this an even more challenging 19:50.125 --> 19:53.319 transition . We're fortunate across the 19:53.319 --> 19:55.486 department to have experienced leaders 19:55.486 --> 19:57.319 to draw on , and you are a great 19:57.319 --> 20:00.119 example of that . 37 years in the Navy 20:00.459 --> 20:02.515 retiring as a captain from your last 20:02.515 --> 20:05.089 position here at DCMA and transitioning 20:05.089 --> 20:07.640 into the senior executive Service , now 20:07.640 --> 20:09.751 Deputy to your third director . Thank 20:09.751 --> 20:11.973 you for your commitment to this place . 20:12.410 --> 20:14.743 You represent the best of civil service . 20:15.510 --> 20:17.566 And in my mind , all the things that 20:17.566 --> 20:20.300 make DCMA so successful . Not only are 20:20.300 --> 20:22.522 you an expert in acquisition and in the 20:22.522 --> 20:25.160 nuances of your mission , You're also a 20:25.160 --> 20:27.327 tireless advocate of the importance of 20:27.327 --> 20:30.780 this agency . DCMA's 20:30.780 --> 20:32.979 visibility in the Pentagon and among 20:32.979 --> 20:35.750 the acquisition community . Has risen 20:35.750 --> 20:38.099 greatly in this past year if you look 20:38.099 --> 20:40.530 around the room today . We've got 20:40.530 --> 20:43.800 General Maciello . Cherry Wilcox and 20:44.660 --> 20:47.920 General Bassett All tremendous leaders 20:48.359 --> 20:50.470 who have been involved in DCA and are 20:50.470 --> 20:53.810 strong ambassadors for the agency . I 20:53.810 --> 20:55.921 believe that the value DCMA brings to 20:55.921 --> 20:57.588 the department at this moment 20:58.010 --> 20:59.900 represents the direction of this 20:59.900 --> 21:02.067 administration . And what we're trying 21:02.067 --> 21:03.956 to accomplish with rebuilding our 21:03.956 --> 21:06.160 military . Thank you for stepping up 21:06.229 --> 21:08.396 and for your exceptional leadership at 21:08.396 --> 21:11.869 this important time . And thank you to 21:11.869 --> 21:13.313 everyone at DCMA for your 21:13.313 --> 21:16.630 professionalism during the shutdown . I 21:16.630 --> 21:19.550 understand 95% of you were accepted 21:19.550 --> 21:21.510 from furlough . I know it was a 21:21.510 --> 21:23.949 difficult time for many people , but 21:23.949 --> 21:26.390 Secretary Hegseth and I recognize the 21:26.390 --> 21:28.349 importance of your work , and we 21:28.349 --> 21:30.571 couldn't accomplish the mission without 21:30.571 --> 21:32.738 you . Thank you for your dedication to 21:32.738 --> 21:34.738 the mission . We couldn't break the 21:34.738 --> 21:36.905 momentum . We've started to revive the 21:36.905 --> 21:38.793 defense industrial base , suspend 21:38.793 --> 21:40.571 production schedules , or delay 21:40.571 --> 21:43.189 payments . I've said many times future 21:43.189 --> 21:45.245 conflicts will be won on the factory 21:45.245 --> 21:47.411 floor as much as the field of battle , 21:47.780 --> 21:50.109 so we must be very deliberative how we 21:50.109 --> 21:52.569 manage our acquisition workforce . You 21:52.569 --> 21:56.109 are vital to this mission . I was at 21:56.109 --> 21:58.276 the Reagan National Defense Forum this 21:58.276 --> 22:00.165 past weekend when the president's 22:00.165 --> 22:02.498 national security strategy was released , 22:02.750 --> 22:05.290 which reflects his intent . In the 22:05.290 --> 22:07.346 direction of the Department of War . 22:07.859 --> 22:09.970 One of our priorities in the strategy 22:10.060 --> 22:13.489 is particularly relevant today . As we 22:13.489 --> 22:15.540 welcome Admiral Tedford , and , and 22:15.540 --> 22:17.762 that is reviving our industrial defense 22:17.762 --> 22:20.290 industrial base . A strong , capable 22:20.290 --> 22:23.160 military cannot exist without a strong , 22:23.209 --> 22:25.930 capable defense industrial base or the 22:25.930 --> 22:28.152 products it produces . Just look around 22:28.152 --> 22:30.319 you in this room , some of the marvels 22:30.319 --> 22:32.486 of American innovation and industry on 22:32.486 --> 22:34.949 display here . The strategy singles out 22:34.949 --> 22:37.005 many items that are inseparable from 22:37.005 --> 22:39.469 DCMA's work , from low cost drones to 22:39.469 --> 22:42.030 munition production to supply chains . 22:43.300 --> 22:45.510 We stand at a pivotal moment in the 22:45.510 --> 22:48.750 evolution of defense acquisition . The 22:48.750 --> 22:51.030 geopolitical landscape is rapidly 22:51.030 --> 22:53.760 changing . And our adversaries are 22:53.760 --> 22:56.038 constantly developing new capabilities . 22:56.859 --> 22:59.819 To maintain our competitive edge , we 22:59.819 --> 23:01.708 must fundamentally rethink how we 23:01.708 --> 23:04.300 acquire and field our weapons systems 23:04.300 --> 23:07.069 and equipment . We are past due for 23:07.069 --> 23:09.890 acquisition reform . The world has 23:09.890 --> 23:12.479 changed . Technology has changed . 23:12.829 --> 23:15.250 Manufacturing has changed . But for 23:15.250 --> 23:17.528 years , the department has not evolved . 23:17.890 --> 23:21.160 The time is now . That's why Secretary 23:21.160 --> 23:23.099 Hegseth unveiled our acquisition 23:23.099 --> 23:25.939 transformation strategy just over a 23:25.939 --> 23:28.890 month ago . We have a real opportunity 23:28.890 --> 23:32.040 right now , a window to dramatically 23:32.040 --> 23:34.207 shape our entire acquisition process . 23:35.000 --> 23:36.833 President Trump has ordered it . 23:37.890 --> 23:40.112 Secretary Seth has given us direction , 23:40.112 --> 23:42.719 and we are moving out . DCMA will play 23:42.719 --> 23:45.819 a crucial role . We're going to heavily , 23:45.900 --> 23:48.122 lean heavily on your expertise and your 23:48.122 --> 23:50.579 proximity to contracts to implement 23:50.579 --> 23:53.489 reform . You are the execution arm of 23:53.489 --> 23:56.410 ANS . are front line in production 23:56.410 --> 23:59.839 facilities . Any transformation , 24:00.099 --> 24:03.459 any change brings with it risk , and 24:03.459 --> 24:06.500 DCMA will be our barometer . You'll be 24:06.500 --> 24:08.611 among the first to see what's working 24:08.611 --> 24:11.449 and what's not . And we'll rely on you 24:11.449 --> 24:13.449 more than ever for your insight and 24:13.449 --> 24:15.750 feedback . But this acquisition 24:15.750 --> 24:18.030 transformation strategy isn't just 24:18.030 --> 24:19.910 about streamlining processes or 24:19.910 --> 24:23.189 loosening outdated regulations . It's 24:23.189 --> 24:25.522 about fostering a culture of innovation . 24:26.479 --> 24:29.400 Empowering our workforce and ensuring 24:29.400 --> 24:30.956 we can deliver cutting edge 24:30.956 --> 24:33.439 capabilities to our warfighters fast 24:33.439 --> 24:36.500 and efficiently . Secretary Hegseth 24:36.500 --> 24:39.390 calls it rapidly fielding emerging 24:39.390 --> 24:43.140 technology . Just last week , DCMA took 24:43.140 --> 24:45.069 over the drone Blue List from the 24:45.069 --> 24:47.599 Defense Innovation Unit . The 24:47.599 --> 24:49.800 marketplace will be a cornerstone of 24:49.800 --> 24:52.530 American drone dominance . And in 24:52.530 --> 24:55.140 Secretary Hegseth's words , unleash the 24:55.140 --> 24:57.420 potential of American manufacturing and 24:57.420 --> 25:00.869 warfighter ingenuity . It will push 25:00.869 --> 25:02.750 competition in small drone 25:02.750 --> 25:05.270 manufacturing , incentivizing lower 25:05.270 --> 25:08.319 prices and faster innovation . Most 25:08.319 --> 25:10.430 importantly , it will get drones into 25:10.430 --> 25:12.959 our warfighters' hands by the thousands 25:12.959 --> 25:16.219 at much faster speed . This is just the 25:16.219 --> 25:18.699 beginning . Drones and other unmanned 25:18.699 --> 25:20.755 systems are driving a renaissance in 25:20.755 --> 25:23.989 precision technology . With DCMA's help , 25:24.329 --> 25:26.930 we'll look even further ahead . Helping 25:26.930 --> 25:29.079 explore how battlefield manufacturing 25:29.339 --> 25:31.219 can fuel the speed and scale of 25:31.219 --> 25:33.219 fielding and sustaining equipment . 25:34.170 --> 25:36.930 Soon our front lines will build and 25:36.930 --> 25:39.569 repair drones and other devices on 25:39.569 --> 25:41.569 demand in the field tailored to the 25:41.569 --> 25:44.520 mission . DCMA's industry knowledge and 25:44.520 --> 25:46.410 insight is crucial to the largest 25:46.410 --> 25:49.040 defense systems as well . We are at 25:49.040 --> 25:51.151 this moment building the most complex 25:51.151 --> 25:53.119 national defense system ever with 25:53.119 --> 25:55.589 Golden Dome . We will be leaning 25:55.589 --> 25:58.290 heavily on DCMA's experience and data 25:58.469 --> 26:00.525 to build out the contracts needed to 26:00.525 --> 26:03.219 pull the system together . To do this , 26:03.359 --> 26:05.581 we need a healthy , accountable defense 26:05.581 --> 26:07.900 industrial base which DCMA is helping 26:07.900 --> 26:10.869 to foster . And a well mapped and 26:10.869 --> 26:13.147 illuminated supply chain that feeds it . 26:13.939 --> 26:16.900 Again , DCMA is leaning far forward 26:16.900 --> 26:19.709 here . Leveraging your proximity and 26:19.709 --> 26:21.376 intimate understanding of our 26:21.376 --> 26:23.790 contractor systems to ensure long-term 26:23.790 --> 26:26.709 health and to provide the insight our 26:26.709 --> 26:28.829 decision makers need in planning and 26:28.829 --> 26:31.051 executing operations around the world . 26:32.119 --> 26:34.175 Whether it's the smallest , simplest 26:34.175 --> 26:36.719 platform like a drone , a legacy system 26:36.719 --> 26:38.719 like the Chinook , or something as 26:38.719 --> 26:40.719 large and daunting as Golden Dome , 26:40.959 --> 26:43.680 DCMA has earned its reputation as an 26:43.680 --> 26:47.270 agency that delivers . Vice Admiral 26:47.270 --> 26:49.709 Tedford is here to continue this legacy 26:49.709 --> 26:51.869 and to lead DCMA through the 26:51.869 --> 26:54.091 acquisition , transformation , and into 26:54.091 --> 26:56.660 emerging missions . Success will 26:56.660 --> 26:59.260 require a relentless focus on urgency . 27:00.359 --> 27:02.479 We need to compress timelines , 27:02.849 --> 27:05.449 accelerate decision making , and get 27:05.449 --> 27:07.800 capabilities into the hands of our 27:07.800 --> 27:10.920 warfighters as quickly as possible . I 27:10.920 --> 27:12.809 mentioned the Blue List has a new 27:12.809 --> 27:15.630 mission . A few years ago , DCMA took 27:15.630 --> 27:18.430 on industrial-based cybersecurity , and 27:18.430 --> 27:20.597 you have an increasing role in mission 27:20.597 --> 27:22.829 assurance , including mapping supply 27:22.829 --> 27:25.162 chains and measuring material readiness . 27:25.579 --> 27:28.099 You're modernizing data management and 27:28.099 --> 27:30.339 sharing it department-wide in real time 27:30.339 --> 27:33.180 through Avana . You become integral to 27:33.180 --> 27:36.300 the munitions Acceleration Council and 27:36.300 --> 27:38.244 the industrial-based policy team . 27:39.160 --> 27:41.160 You're developing and feeding tools 27:41.400 --> 27:43.511 that have become indispensable across 27:43.511 --> 27:45.920 the enterprise . These are immensely 27:45.920 --> 27:47.780 immensely important to our War 27:47.780 --> 27:49.836 Department efforts , and you've dove 27:49.836 --> 27:52.002 into each of these with the same level 27:52.002 --> 27:54.430 of urgency you apply to your core 27:54.430 --> 27:58.349 mission work . Success demands 27:58.349 --> 28:00.650 speed . We must embrace rapid 28:00.650 --> 28:03.050 prototyping , experimentation , and 28:03.050 --> 28:05.050 innovation , innovative acquisition 28:05.050 --> 28:07.750 methods . We need to be comfortable 28:07.750 --> 28:10.349 taking calculated risks , learning from 28:10.349 --> 28:12.516 our mistakes , and iterating quickly . 28:13.520 --> 28:16.930 Success necessitates judgment . DCMA 28:16.930 --> 28:19.609 will be a fulcrum as we balance change , 28:19.849 --> 28:21.627 speed , and risk in acquisition 28:21.627 --> 28:25.079 transformation just as it always formed 28:25.079 --> 28:26.746 part of the foundation of the 28:26.746 --> 28:29.339 acquisition process . We're talking a 28:29.339 --> 28:32.660 lot about speed these days . My view is 28:32.660 --> 28:35.020 we're emphasizing , not mandating it , 28:35.130 --> 28:37.609 and we need to rely on sound experience , 28:37.619 --> 28:40.839 judgment to understand when to go fast . 28:41.180 --> 28:43.291 We need wise leaders , not just smart 28:43.291 --> 28:46.729 people . Finally , to be successful is 28:46.729 --> 28:49.280 to be persistent . And this is where I 28:49.280 --> 28:51.560 want to talk about and thank the DCMA 28:51.560 --> 28:55.079 team . The agency celebrated its 25th 28:55.079 --> 28:57.369 anniversary this year , and your roots 28:57.369 --> 29:00.400 go back much further than that . As a 29:00.400 --> 29:02.400 professional team , you have always 29:02.400 --> 29:04.122 been remarkably consistent and 29:04.122 --> 29:07.349 tenacious and exacting . I think you've 29:07.349 --> 29:09.405 asserted yourselves more in the past 29:09.405 --> 29:12.550 year rising to the challenge . The 29:12.550 --> 29:14.550 acquisition workforce is , in my 29:14.550 --> 29:16.310 opinion , one of the most 29:16.310 --> 29:18.143 underappreciated elements of our 29:18.143 --> 29:20.489 national defense . You are the subject 29:20.489 --> 29:22.100 matter experts , the skilled 29:22.100 --> 29:24.089 negotiators , and the innovative 29:24.089 --> 29:25.849 problem solvers who keep our 29:25.849 --> 29:29.010 acquisition system running . You bring 29:29.010 --> 29:31.390 a unique blend of technical expertise , 29:31.770 --> 29:34.170 business acumen , and dedication to 29:34.170 --> 29:36.520 public service that is essential to our 29:36.520 --> 29:39.890 national security . Steve , you're 29:39.890 --> 29:41.890 taking command of the greatest tool 29:41.890 --> 29:43.890 required for success , and that's a 29:43.890 --> 29:45.834 talented workforce filled with the 29:45.834 --> 29:48.057 finest people the nation has to offer . 29:48.057 --> 29:50.279 This is one of the most proven reliable 29:50.279 --> 29:52.279 teams in the federal government . I 29:52.279 --> 29:54.501 know Sonia calls them the greatest team 29:54.501 --> 29:56.390 of acquisition professionals ever 29:56.390 --> 29:59.400 assembled . It's freshly reorganized , 29:59.479 --> 30:01.660 embracing innovation as never before , 30:01.880 --> 30:04.319 and leaning forward to new missions . I 30:04.319 --> 30:07.000 think you're going to fit in well . For 30:07.000 --> 30:09.167 those of you who don't know Steve , he 30:09.167 --> 30:11.056 received his bachelor's degree in 30:11.056 --> 30:13.278 aerospace engineering from Pennsylvania 30:13.278 --> 30:15.500 State University and graduated from the 30:15.500 --> 30:17.611 United States Naval Test Pilot School 30:17.611 --> 30:19.444 Cooperative Program at the Naval 30:19.444 --> 30:21.333 Postgraduate School in Monterey , 30:21.333 --> 30:23.770 California . Steve's initial 30:23.770 --> 30:25.937 operational tours were with the Golden 30:25.937 --> 30:28.048 Eagles of Patrol Squadron 9 , located 30:28.048 --> 30:30.270 at Barber's Point , Hawaii . And the 30:30.270 --> 30:33.589 Golden Swordsman of VP-47 in Kanawha 30:33.589 --> 30:36.030 Bay , Hawaii , during which he deployed 30:36.030 --> 30:39.069 to Diego Garcia , Osawa , Japan , and 30:39.069 --> 30:42.569 Bahrain . He deployed to the 5th US 30:42.569 --> 30:45.329 Fleet where he executed 250 combat 30:45.329 --> 30:47.650 flight hours in support of Operations 30:47.650 --> 30:49.594 Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom . 30:50.400 --> 30:53.319 Ashore , Steve served as a test pilot 30:53.319 --> 30:55.119 at Aircraft Test and Evaluation 30:55.119 --> 30:57.869 Squadron 20 at Packs River , Maryland , 30:58.160 --> 31:00.104 and as an instructor at the United 31:00.104 --> 31:02.760 States Naval Test Pilot School . He 31:02.760 --> 31:05.079 served as a commanding officer of VX 30 31:05.079 --> 31:07.800 in Point Magoo , California , executed 31:07.800 --> 31:10.319 more than 13,000 flight hours in the 31:10.319 --> 31:13.920 P-3C Orion , the C-130 Hercules , and 31:13.920 --> 31:17.319 the S-3B Viking . And earned the 31:17.319 --> 31:20.810 2009 Chief of Naval Operations 31:20.810 --> 31:24.790 Aviation Safety Award . He has 31:24.790 --> 31:27.530 accumulated more than 3100 flight hours 31:27.829 --> 31:30.760 in 40 different aircraft . His personal 31:30.760 --> 31:33.093 decorations include the Legion of Merit . 31:33.829 --> 31:35.829 3 awards of the Meritorious Service 31:35.829 --> 31:38.530 Medal , Navy and Marine Corps Medal , 31:38.989 --> 31:42.119 commendation Medal . Navy and Marine 31:42.119 --> 31:44.170 Corps Achievement Medal 3 times and 31:44.170 --> 31:46.448 numerous other unit and service awards . 31:47.640 --> 31:50.869 Steve , welcome to DCMA and ANS . 31:51.530 --> 31:53.810 As DCMA's 10th director , your 31:53.810 --> 31:55.643 distinguished career , including 31:55.643 --> 31:57.699 military and operational and command 31:57.699 --> 31:59.921 experience , brings a vital perspective 31:59.921 --> 32:02.140 to this role . Your firsthand 32:02.140 --> 32:04.473 understanding of the warfighters' needs , 32:04.473 --> 32:06.418 the challenges they face , and the 32:06.418 --> 32:08.307 importance of timely and reliable 32:08.307 --> 32:10.529 support will be instrumental in guiding 32:10.529 --> 32:13.219 DCMA forward . I have full confidence 32:13.219 --> 32:15.420 in your ability to lead , and I look 32:15.420 --> 32:17.142 forward to working with you to 32:17.142 --> 32:19.087 transform our acquisition system , 32:19.087 --> 32:21.430 empower our workforce , and ensure that 32:21.430 --> 32:23.500 our warfighters have the tools they 32:23.500 --> 32:26.180 need to defend our nation . Let's 32:26.180 --> 32:28.180 embrace the principles of urgency , 32:28.579 --> 32:31.780 speed , judgment , and persistence as 32:31.780 --> 32:34.180 we embark on this new era for DCMA . 32:35.119 --> 32:37.341 Together we can build a stronger , more 32:37.341 --> 32:39.341 agile , and more responsive defense 32:39.341 --> 32:41.563 acquisition system that will ensure our 32:41.563 --> 32:43.619 nation's security for generations to 32:43.619 --> 32:46.459 come . Vice Admiral Steven R . Tedford , 32:46.760 --> 32:48.927 we are proud to have you on the team , 32:48.927 --> 32:51.038 and I look forward to watching DCMA , 32:51.280 --> 32:53.800 excel under your leadership . Thank you . 33:03.089 --> 33:04.867 Ladies and gentlemen , it is my 33:04.867 --> 33:06.867 distinct honor to again present our 33:06.867 --> 33:09.033 acting director , Ms . Sonia Ebright . 33:12.099 --> 33:13.589 Yeah Saga . 33:16.969 --> 33:18.969 And so thank you , Colonel Howell . 33:19.290 --> 33:21.512 Thank you , Undersecretary Duffy . It's 33:21.512 --> 33:23.457 truly an honor to have you with us 33:23.457 --> 33:26.219 today . Uh , again , welcome to all of 33:26.219 --> 33:28.900 our distinguished guests , our visitors . 33:30.050 --> 33:32.530 My DCMA team , my senior leadership 33:32.530 --> 33:36.310 team , thank you . This is an important 33:36.310 --> 33:38.609 day for DCMA in many ways . Not only 33:38.609 --> 33:42.050 are we welcoming our new director , but 33:42.050 --> 33:44.089 we're also presenting a transformed 33:44.089 --> 33:47.130 agency to the world , purpose built for 33:47.130 --> 33:49.209 the challenges of tomorrow and the 33:49.209 --> 33:52.050 challenges that A&S have presented us . 33:53.050 --> 33:56.410 2025 may prove to be the most pivotal 33:56.410 --> 33:58.989 year in this agency's history . We 33:58.989 --> 34:01.349 celebrated our 25th , solidified the 34:01.349 --> 34:03.571 major organization of change , launched 34:03.571 --> 34:06.449 new missions , built new relationships 34:06.790 --> 34:08.957 among additional government agencies . 34:09.729 --> 34:11.785 And we started planning our strategy 34:11.785 --> 34:14.969 for supporting Golden Dome . Thanks to 34:14.969 --> 34:17.080 the professionalism and resilience of 34:17.080 --> 34:19.191 our exceptional team , we're emerging 34:19.191 --> 34:21.191 stronger and are now providing more 34:21.191 --> 34:23.302 value to the War Department than ever 34:23.302 --> 34:26.020 before . And today , as this pivotal 34:26.020 --> 34:28.820 year nears its end , we welcome a new 34:28.820 --> 34:31.042 director , Vice Admiral Steve Tetford . 34:31.580 --> 34:33.899 In my typical fashion , I'd like to 34:33.899 --> 34:36.010 take this time while I have a captive 34:36.010 --> 34:39.750 audience to talk about DCMA . And 34:39.750 --> 34:42.300 answering and talk about how it's 34:42.300 --> 34:44.419 answering the call of our president , 34:44.709 --> 34:47.489 our Secretary of War , and have taken 34:47.489 --> 34:49.429 their mandate to go faster , help 34:49.429 --> 34:52.030 rebuild our industrial base , and by 34:52.030 --> 34:55.030 the way , subparagraph , as a sensor 34:55.030 --> 34:58.479 network , take it from our people 34:59.010 --> 35:00.899 on the factory floor , take their 35:00.899 --> 35:04.510 insight , automate it , get the 35:04.510 --> 35:06.979 information in real time . From the 35:06.979 --> 35:09.699 factory floor into the hands and minds 35:09.699 --> 35:12.500 of our strategic leaders , many of 35:12.500 --> 35:16.270 those who you are here today . We're in 35:16.270 --> 35:19.780 a new era . We all know that it's being 35:19.780 --> 35:23.300 driven by technology . It's really a 35:23.300 --> 35:26.219 new industrial revolution , but rather 35:26.219 --> 35:28.699 than harnessing the power of coal and 35:28.699 --> 35:31.820 electricity to take great leaps forward 35:31.820 --> 35:34.780 or to build huge machines of war that 35:34.780 --> 35:36.959 will forever change how we fight , 35:37.340 --> 35:40.780 we're harnessing software , data , new 35:40.780 --> 35:43.020 manufacturing processes , machine 35:43.020 --> 35:44.969 learning , and building unmanned 35:44.969 --> 35:47.025 weapons systems to save lives on the 35:47.025 --> 35:50.070 battlefield . The pace of innovation 35:50.070 --> 35:52.729 and production of precision machines in 35:52.729 --> 35:56.409 World War I . Exploded in World War 35:56.409 --> 36:00.120 II exploded in 4 years that we were in 36:00.120 --> 36:03.090 production in World War II . The 36:03.090 --> 36:04.923 production doubled . We produced 36:04.923 --> 36:07.034 somewhere around 5000 weapons systems 36:07.034 --> 36:10.169 in World War I and almost over 36:10.169 --> 36:14.129 300,000 in World War II , 60 times 36:14.129 --> 36:16.649 more aircraft , and they were much more 36:16.649 --> 36:19.489 complex . Our victory overseas was 36:19.489 --> 36:22.929 ensured by The production at home 36:23.189 --> 36:25.429 fueled by investment speed and 36:25.429 --> 36:28.870 precision . Innovation and production 36:28.870 --> 36:31.389 sped up the Cold War . Also , we called 36:31.389 --> 36:34.189 it a race . We called it an arms race , 36:34.270 --> 36:37.310 a space race , and it was now a global 36:37.310 --> 36:39.870 competition , and it brought us stealth 36:39.870 --> 36:42.810 technology and guided munitions , GPS , 36:43.149 --> 36:45.310 and other precision technology that 36:45.310 --> 36:48.110 keeps us formidable today . 36:49.100 --> 36:52.320 But today we we face other realities . 36:54.290 --> 36:57.929 Today it's a race to use AI , machine 36:57.929 --> 37:00.330 learning , big data , and to build it 37:00.330 --> 37:03.250 in a cyber world where attacks come 37:03.250 --> 37:07.080 frequently . Just as this reality is 37:07.080 --> 37:09.247 our reality for our warfighters , it's 37:09.247 --> 37:11.800 a reality for industry , it's a reality 37:11.800 --> 37:14.560 at DCMA , and we're leaning forward to 37:14.560 --> 37:16.959 embrace and exploit the technology 37:16.959 --> 37:19.409 available to us . We've seen 37:19.409 --> 37:22.449 transformation at DCMA over the past 5 37:22.449 --> 37:25.330 years . It began when remote work was 37:25.330 --> 37:28.969 forced upon us in 2020 . Under General 37:28.969 --> 37:32.000 Bassett's leadership . We leveraged new 37:32.000 --> 37:34.679 tools then to do our basic jobs , but 37:34.679 --> 37:36.846 we quickly realized there were mundane 37:36.846 --> 37:38.901 tasks that could be done quicker and 37:38.901 --> 37:41.850 easier through automation . This became 37:41.850 --> 37:43.889 liberating and it let us shift 37:43.889 --> 37:46.111 resources to the more important part of 37:46.111 --> 37:48.111 our mission . It was also the final 37:48.111 --> 37:50.330 piece of the puzzle , allowing a much 37:50.330 --> 37:53.290 needed comprehensive restructuring . 37:54.620 --> 37:57.300 Our people have long , long been making 37:57.300 --> 37:59.411 data and process management tools for 37:59.411 --> 38:01.820 their local offices , but often we 38:01.820 --> 38:05.060 treated them like they'd gone rogue or 38:05.060 --> 38:07.171 they had gone off script making their 38:07.171 --> 38:09.300 own tools incompatible with the way 38:09.300 --> 38:11.659 that we had established our way of 38:11.659 --> 38:14.750 doing business . Then we looked closer , 38:15.250 --> 38:18.649 and it was a revelation . Our DCMA 38:18.649 --> 38:20.610 people were fixing things . They 38:20.610 --> 38:23.090 weren't circumventing DCMA's processes . 38:23.250 --> 38:26.090 They were creating the new culture . We 38:26.090 --> 38:28.489 had an incredible base of creative 38:28.489 --> 38:30.689 ideas and capability internal to our 38:30.689 --> 38:33.330 team , but our culture didn't value it . 38:33.649 --> 38:35.810 When we finally got it , we began to 38:35.810 --> 38:37.800 encourage and equip these citizen 38:37.800 --> 38:40.330 developers , many who are on the , on 38:40.330 --> 38:42.949 the phone , online , and in the office . 38:44.040 --> 38:46.719 We began equipping them with the 38:46.719 --> 38:48.775 knowledge and the technical skills , 38:48.775 --> 38:50.830 skills , and we took their knack for 38:50.830 --> 38:53.320 automation and we asked them to run 38:53.320 --> 38:54.431 until apprehended . 38:58.010 --> 38:59.899 So we're leveraging tools today , 38:59.899 --> 39:01.899 providing the Department of War and 39:01.899 --> 39:04.066 expanding their capabilities , showing 39:04.066 --> 39:06.229 what engineering ingenuity and 39:06.229 --> 39:09.040 expertise can accomplish . And now just 39:09.040 --> 39:11.719 a few years later , a mere few years 39:11.719 --> 39:14.239 later , many of these tools are central 39:14.239 --> 39:16.459 to what we do . They are an enterprise 39:16.459 --> 39:19.040 environment . The entire Department of 39:19.040 --> 39:21.659 War can see these tools that were built 39:22.010 --> 39:24.639 by our own citizen developers who just 39:24.639 --> 39:27.320 wanted to fix things . And for the 39:27.320 --> 39:29.431 users they're simplifying much of our 39:29.431 --> 39:31.679 work . Our leadership side , they 39:31.679 --> 39:34.399 provide real time in time access to an 39:34.399 --> 39:37.260 unbelievable amount of agency and 39:37.260 --> 39:40.510 defense industry data . Many of these 39:40.510 --> 39:42.677 tools are now available across the War 39:42.677 --> 39:45.149 Department . DCMA's data and insight is 39:45.149 --> 39:47.205 being pushed where it needs to be to 39:47.205 --> 39:50.070 inform major program decisions and for 39:50.070 --> 39:53.120 planning and execution of military 39:53.120 --> 39:55.350 operations . This information is going 39:55.350 --> 39:58.409 to our highest strategic leaders . The 39:58.409 --> 40:00.979 outcomes of this renaissance of 40:00.979 --> 40:03.939 development and automation of DCMA are 40:03.939 --> 40:06.699 immediate and clear , and many of them 40:06.699 --> 40:09.659 have significant implications for the 40:09.659 --> 40:13.159 future of national defense . Only a few 40:13.159 --> 40:16.600 moments ago , a few months ago , not a 40:16.600 --> 40:18.656 few moments ago , a few months ago , 40:18.656 --> 40:20.544 Secretary Hegseth rewarded us the 40:20.544 --> 40:22.767 critical new mission of the Blue List . 40:23.629 --> 40:26.750 Take the drone marketplace and build it . 40:27.439 --> 40:31.030 He gave us until January . We turned on 40:31.030 --> 40:34.530 the website . Last week , a month ahead 40:34.530 --> 40:37.770 of time , because we have phenomenal 40:38.030 --> 40:40.429 citizen developers that was internal 40:40.429 --> 40:43.909 people building this tool and setting 40:43.909 --> 40:46.229 and releasing the renaissance of the 40:46.229 --> 40:47.679 automation and DCMA . 40:50.780 --> 40:53.290 DCMA Unmanned Systems experimental or 40:53.290 --> 40:56.149 USX , the office , the command that's 40:56.149 --> 40:58.205 running the Blue List is a whole new 40:58.205 --> 41:00.189 concept , and it's been given 41:00.189 --> 41:03.169 incredible latitude to try new things 41:03.510 --> 41:05.629 and to not tie itself to the slow , 41:05.750 --> 41:08.389 risk adverse ways of our old 41:08.389 --> 41:10.989 acquisition system . It's about 41:10.989 --> 41:13.949 precision , speed , unsentimental 41:13.949 --> 41:15.949 approach to the next era of defense 41:15.949 --> 41:18.830 acquisition . For us , it's also a test 41:18.830 --> 41:22.139 case to break us out of the confines of 41:22.139 --> 41:25.229 old thinking , and so far it's 41:25.229 --> 41:28.540 exceeding expectations . Along with our 41:28.540 --> 41:31.100 core mission of product delivery , 41:31.419 --> 41:33.641 contractor payment , we're increasingly 41:33.641 --> 41:36.209 asserting ourselves as experts in the 41:36.209 --> 41:38.689 defense industrial base and serving as 41:38.689 --> 41:41.500 an express conduit between decision 41:41.500 --> 41:44.699 makers and industry . We're working 41:44.699 --> 41:47.060 directly with industry as they build 41:47.060 --> 41:49.250 out their own standards on the Joint 41:49.250 --> 41:51.439 Strategic Quality Council . We're 41:51.439 --> 41:53.606 working across the government agencies 41:53.606 --> 41:55.719 to automate and gather data and to 41:55.719 --> 41:58.040 provide real-time solutions to our 41:58.040 --> 42:00.500 highest level of strategic leaders . 42:00.879 --> 42:03.600 We've operationalized our collection , 42:03.750 --> 42:06.560 management , and distribution of data . 42:07.479 --> 42:09.646 How we turn it into actionable insight 42:09.646 --> 42:11.646 for our War Department enterprise . 42:11.909 --> 42:14.229 Vice Admiral Tedford now has 42:14.229 --> 42:16.389 unprecedented industrial-based 42:16.389 --> 42:18.445 production and health information at 42:18.445 --> 42:21.830 his fingertips . He can respond quickly 42:22.010 --> 42:25.649 to respect to requests from OSW and ANS . 42:26.679 --> 42:29.030 The Joint Chiefs , combatant commanders , 42:29.399 --> 42:32.260 and others providing them real-time 42:32.639 --> 42:34.695 understanding of the industrial base 42:34.695 --> 42:37.770 capacity . And notice how I've just 42:37.770 --> 42:41.500 volunteered my boss for new work . With 42:41.500 --> 42:44.679 his boss sitting next to him . With 42:44.679 --> 42:46.846 these proven successes , we're now how 42:46.846 --> 42:48.901 we approach foreign military sales , 42:48.919 --> 42:51.600 how we ensure cybersecurity defense 42:51.600 --> 42:53.840 contractors' internal systems , how we 42:53.840 --> 42:56.560 illuminate the tangled complex supply 42:56.560 --> 42:58.919 chain that feeds all of our prime 42:58.919 --> 43:01.439 defense contractors , how we measure , 43:01.639 --> 43:04.179 track , and report munitions production 43:04.280 --> 43:08.129 and capability . All of these are 43:08.129 --> 43:11.780 critical as the United States continues 43:11.780 --> 43:14.300 the defense of the homeland through 43:14.300 --> 43:16.078 strengthening strengthening our 43:16.078 --> 43:18.040 industrial base , Golden Dome , 43:18.449 --> 43:20.671 building weapons systems that saved the 43:20.671 --> 43:23.320 lives of our warfighters . All of 43:23.320 --> 43:26.000 DCMA's contributions to A&S , and sir , 43:26.080 --> 43:29.360 our team is your team . And to the rest 43:29.360 --> 43:31.560 of the department , they rest on the 43:31.560 --> 43:33.760 experienced shoulders of our 43:33.760 --> 43:37.139 exceptional team . They rest on you all . 43:38.530 --> 43:40.586 To the professionals of DCMA , thank 43:40.586 --> 43:42.586 you , thank you for your patience , 43:42.586 --> 43:44.850 your dedication , your unwavering 43:44.850 --> 43:48.370 professionalism . Thank you for it 43:48.370 --> 43:50.203 being a short 5 months , Admiral 43:50.203 --> 43:52.314 Tedford , and getting here as soon as 43:52.314 --> 43:55.870 you could . This has been a historic 43:55.870 --> 43:59.159 year , and we've asked a lot of you are 43:59.159 --> 44:01.310 DCMA professionals , and you've 44:01.310 --> 44:03.649 delivered . Vice Admiral Tedford , 44:03.929 --> 44:06.489 welcome to DCMA , and I truly mean that . 44:07.360 --> 44:09.471 We are glad you're here and fortunate 44:09.471 --> 44:13.179 to have you . You bring fresh eyes 44:13.179 --> 44:15.290 and program experience that will lead 44:15.290 --> 44:17.290 us to a better understanding of our 44:17.290 --> 44:20.110 customers . Every organization needs 44:20.110 --> 44:23.320 new leaders at new stages of the 44:23.320 --> 44:25.850 organization's life and as they produce 44:25.850 --> 44:27.739 and as they move forward into the 44:27.739 --> 44:30.280 future . That you were chosen to lead 44:30.280 --> 44:33.719 DCMA underscores unmanned systems . 44:34.429 --> 44:36.762 Importance to the future of the warfare . 44:37.540 --> 44:39.429 And your operational experience 44:39.689 --> 44:41.800 experience tells us that you are used 44:41.800 --> 44:43.856 to going fast and we'll expect speed 44:43.856 --> 44:46.270 and precision from your team here , and 44:46.270 --> 44:48.949 we're ready . DCMA has a legacy of 44:48.949 --> 44:52.080 success . It's Freshly reorganized . 44:52.459 --> 44:54.909 Thank you , General Bassett . All the 44:54.909 --> 44:57.989 systems are go . I'm incredibly proud 44:57.989 --> 45:00.620 of this team of trusted professionals , 45:00.629 --> 45:02.629 and I know that you will be equally 45:02.629 --> 45:05.110 impressed , sir , by their dedication , 45:05.189 --> 45:07.356 their ingenuity , and their commitment 45:07.356 --> 45:09.522 to excellence . Welcome aboard , sir . 45:16.189 --> 45:18.356 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise for 45:18.356 --> 45:20.356 the transfer of total authority and 45:20.356 --> 45:22.356 leadership for the Defense Contract 45:22.356 --> 45:23.467 Management Agency . 45:29.459 --> 45:32.100 I'll now read my orders . Chief of 45:32.100 --> 45:35.780 Naval Operation Order 3045 . Change of 45:35.780 --> 45:38.002 duty orders for Vice Admiral Steven R . 45:38.002 --> 45:40.058 Thetford , United States Navy . When 45:40.058 --> 45:42.113 directed by Reporting Senior Dete in 45:42.113 --> 45:44.300 November 2025 from Program Executive 45:44.300 --> 45:46.189 Officer for Unmanned Aviation and 45:46.189 --> 45:47.967 Strike Weapons at Texan River , 45:47.967 --> 45:49.899 Maryland and report no later than 45:49.899 --> 45:52.260 December 2025 to Defense Contract 45:52.260 --> 45:54.659 Management Agency , Fort Lee , Virginia 45:54.659 --> 45:55.959 for duty as director . 46:37.479 --> 46:39.812 Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated . 46:45.239 --> 46:47.399 Please welcome the director of the 46:47.399 --> 46:49.455 Defense Contract Management Agency , 46:49.520 --> 46:52.199 Vice Admiral Steven R . Tedford . 46:57.260 --> 46:58.760 Thank you . Good morning , 46:58.989 --> 47:01.189 distinguished guests , partners from 47:01.189 --> 47:04.139 across the Department of War . Industry 47:04.139 --> 47:06.699 friends , colleagues , and most 47:06.699 --> 47:08.866 importantly , the men and women of the 47:08.866 --> 47:10.921 Defense Contract Management Agency . 47:10.921 --> 47:13.088 Thank you , Mr . Duffy , for your kind 47:13.088 --> 47:15.199 words this morning and for being with 47:15.199 --> 47:17.032 us today . I know that time is a 47:17.032 --> 47:18.866 premium for you especially , and 47:18.866 --> 47:20.755 spending some time at DCMA speaks 47:20.755 --> 47:22.866 volumes . We'll do anything we can to 47:22.866 --> 47:25.032 get you outside of the Beltway , sir . 47:25.032 --> 47:27.199 I look forward to working closely with 47:27.199 --> 47:27.080 you and your entire acquisition 47:27.080 --> 47:29.399 sustainment team over the coming years . 47:29.600 --> 47:31.489 Your guidance and support will be 47:31.489 --> 47:33.322 invaluable as DCMA navigates the 47:33.322 --> 47:35.600 challenges and the opportunities ahead . 47:35.760 --> 47:37.982 Thank you for being here , sir . I also 47:37.982 --> 47:40.540 want to extend a sincere thank you to 47:40.540 --> 47:42.889 Sonia Ebright . Sonya , for her 47:42.889 --> 47:45.100 exceptional leadership of DCMA since 47:45.100 --> 47:47.629 the summer . Sonia , your dedication to 47:47.629 --> 47:49.573 this agency and your commitment to 47:49.573 --> 47:51.796 keeping this enterprise not just stable 47:51.796 --> 47:54.073 but moving forward has been remarkable . 47:54.270 --> 47:56.381 Thank you so very much for setting us 47:56.381 --> 47:58.610 on the right course . To all of you 47:58.610 --> 48:00.832 here at headquarters and to everyone in 48:00.832 --> 48:02.666 the offices , directorates , and 48:02.666 --> 48:04.777 commands around the world , thank you 48:04.777 --> 48:06.888 for your incredibly warm welcome . It 48:06.888 --> 48:08.943 is an honor and a privilege to stand 48:08.943 --> 48:11.169 before you as I assume command of this 48:11.169 --> 48:13.969 extraordinary organization . I am 48:13.969 --> 48:16.330 deeply grateful for the trust and 48:16.330 --> 48:18.570 confidence placed in me , and I accept 48:18.570 --> 48:20.570 this responsibility with humility , 48:21.129 --> 48:23.090 respect , and a profound sense of 48:23.090 --> 48:26.729 purpose . To those who have led DCMA 48:27.090 --> 48:28.870 before me , thank you for your 48:28.870 --> 48:31.300 steadfast leadership . You have guided 48:31.300 --> 48:33.467 this agency through complex challenges 48:33.659 --> 48:35.826 and positioned it to meet the evolving 48:35.826 --> 48:38.489 demands of our nation's defense . Your 48:38.489 --> 48:40.656 legacy is not simply preserved , it is 48:40.656 --> 48:42.610 alive in the professionalism and 48:42.610 --> 48:44.959 excellence of the people you have led , 48:45.489 --> 48:48.370 trained , mentored , and served . Thank 48:48.370 --> 48:51.760 you . Before I go further , I want to 48:51.760 --> 48:53.871 offer a personal note of gratitude to 48:53.871 --> 48:56.060 my wife , Catherine . Thank you for 48:56.060 --> 48:58.116 your love , your strength , and your 48:58.116 --> 49:00.219 unwavering support throughout every 49:00.219 --> 49:02.840 chapter of this journey . This command 49:02.840 --> 49:04.840 assignment , like the ones before , 49:04.919 --> 49:07.909 will bring its own demands . Which will 49:07.909 --> 49:09.909 once again require sacrifice on our 49:09.909 --> 49:12.199 family . You have been my anchor and my 49:12.199 --> 49:14.570 inspiration , and I am profoundly 49:14.570 --> 49:17.290 grateful to have you by my side . I 49:17.290 --> 49:20.919 love you . DCA's mission 49:21.610 --> 49:25.550 is both expansive and essential . Every 49:25.550 --> 49:28.229 contract we oversee , every program we 49:28.229 --> 49:30.510 safeguard , and every dollar we are 49:30.510 --> 49:32.870 entrusted to steward directly 49:32.870 --> 49:35.510 strengthens the warfighter . Our 49:35.510 --> 49:38.449 oversight ensures that the US military 49:38.449 --> 49:40.699 receives the capability , quality , and 49:40.699 --> 49:43.389 readiness it requires , not eventually . 49:44.139 --> 49:47.530 Not theoretically But reliably and on 49:47.530 --> 49:50.909 time . This agency's work sits at the 49:50.909 --> 49:53.899 intersection of acquisition . Industry 49:54.199 --> 49:57.030 and operational readiness . It is with 49:57.030 --> 49:58.641 accountability . It is where 49:58.641 --> 50:00.969 accountability meets ingenuity . And 50:00.969 --> 50:03.000 where stewardship meets the sacred 50:03.000 --> 50:05.889 obligation we all share to support 50:05.889 --> 50:09.689 those who serve on the front lines . As 50:09.689 --> 50:11.745 I assume command , I want to make my 50:11.745 --> 50:14.429 expectations clear first . We will 50:14.429 --> 50:16.151 continue to uphold the highest 50:16.151 --> 50:19.239 standards of integrity . Our reputation 50:19.239 --> 50:21.959 is our currency . Every decision we 50:21.959 --> 50:24.181 make must reinforce the trust placed in 50:24.181 --> 50:27.760 DCMA by the Department of War , by the 50:27.760 --> 50:30.520 Congress , our industry partners , and 50:30.520 --> 50:34.149 the American people . Second , We will 50:34.149 --> 50:36.427 focus relentlessly on mission outcomes . 50:37.100 --> 50:39.322 The acquisition landscape is changing . 50:39.860 --> 50:41.979 Faster cycles , new technologies . 50:42.840 --> 50:45.889 Emerging threats . We must be agile , 50:46.050 --> 50:49.610 proactive , and forward looking . Our 50:49.610 --> 50:51.649 processes must serve our mission . 50:52.760 --> 50:54.840 Using data and metrics to drive our 50:54.840 --> 50:56.750 decisions so we may achieve the 50:56.750 --> 51:00.750 outcomes that matter most . We will 51:00.750 --> 51:02.861 turn our understanding of the defense 51:02.861 --> 51:05.083 industrial base into actionable insight 51:05.149 --> 51:07.500 for defense for decision makers , and 51:07.500 --> 51:09.909 we will continue to provide unmatched 51:09.909 --> 51:12.060 contributions to the operational 51:12.060 --> 51:14.790 planning and execution of the nation's 51:14.790 --> 51:17.310 acquisition Combat Support Agency . 51:18.350 --> 51:21.590 Third We will empower our people . 51:22.840 --> 51:25.719 DCMA's strength is not found in 51:25.719 --> 51:29.610 policies or systems . It's found in the 51:29.610 --> 51:32.489 expertise . The commitment and 51:32.489 --> 51:36.090 professionalism of the workforce . I am 51:36.090 --> 51:38.312 committed to ensuring that every person 51:38.340 --> 51:41.010 in this agency has the clarity , the 51:41.010 --> 51:43.879 resources , mentorship . And the 51:43.879 --> 51:47.870 support they require to excel . We 51:47.870 --> 51:49.750 have the direction , we have the 51:49.750 --> 51:51.909 structure , and we have the tools . 51:53.030 --> 51:55.197 Most importantly , we have the team to 51:55.197 --> 51:58.120 ensure our mission's success . As we 51:58.120 --> 52:00.342 begin this next chapter together , I am 52:00.342 --> 52:04.110 reminded of a simple truth . That what 52:04.110 --> 52:07.860 we do matters . It matters to the 52:07.860 --> 52:10.179 soldier awaiting a critical system in 52:10.179 --> 52:13.370 the field . It matters to the aviator 52:13.510 --> 52:17.260 relying on precision , reliability . It 52:17.260 --> 52:19.909 matters to the marine or sailor . Whose 52:19.909 --> 52:22.949 mission success and safety . Depend on 52:22.949 --> 52:25.030 the quality of the tools that we 52:25.030 --> 52:28.169 deliver . And it matters to the nation 52:28.530 --> 52:30.409 that entrusts us with both its 52:30.409 --> 52:32.899 resources . And it's security . 52:34.330 --> 52:37.330 Today is not just a ceremony . It's a 52:37.330 --> 52:39.889 commitment A commitment to 52:39.889 --> 52:43.219 accountability . To excellence And to 52:43.219 --> 52:46.340 each other . I am honored to join this 52:46.340 --> 52:48.489 team , and I look forward to serving 52:48.489 --> 52:50.909 alongside every one of you as we build 52:50.909 --> 52:53.540 on DCMA's proud legacy and prepare for 52:53.540 --> 52:56.000 the challenges ahead . Thank you for 52:56.000 --> 52:58.389 your confidence . Thank you for your 52:58.389 --> 53:00.389 service and thank you for pri 53:00.580 --> 53:03.629 privileging . The privilege of leading 53:03.629 --> 53:06.270 this remarkable organization . May God 53:06.270 --> 53:08.326 bless the men and women of the armed 53:08.326 --> 53:10.270 forces , especially those that are 53:10.270 --> 53:12.437 standing the watch in harm's way , and 53:12.437 --> 53:14.381 may God bless the United States of 53:14.381 --> 53:15.603 America . Thank you . 53:23.870 --> 53:26.037 Ladies and gentlemen , please rise for 53:26.037 --> 53:27.926 the benediction given by Chaplain 53:27.926 --> 53:29.926 Andrews and remain standing for the 53:29.926 --> 53:31.981 departure of the official party . At 53:31.981 --> 53:34.203 the completion of the benediction , all 53:34.203 --> 53:36.259 those in uniform are reminded to don 53:36.259 --> 53:40.139 their cover . Let us bow our heads 53:40.139 --> 53:43.489 and go to God in prayer . Dear gracious 53:43.489 --> 53:47.280 God . We once again come before you to 53:47.280 --> 53:49.447 thank you for allowing us to be a part 53:49.447 --> 53:52.850 of this ceremony . To thank Ms Ebright 53:53.270 --> 53:55.580 and to welcome Vice Admiral Tedford to 53:55.580 --> 53:58.169 our family . We ask now that you would 53:58.169 --> 54:00.959 send us out in peace and guide us all 54:00.959 --> 54:03.050 safely back to our work and to our 54:03.050 --> 54:07.000 homes . And finally , Bless us in your 54:07.000 --> 54:10.739 grace and empower us in your love , so 54:10.739 --> 54:13.530 that in all that we do , we do for the 54:13.530 --> 54:16.129 glory of your name . It is in your most 54:16.129 --> 54:19.479 holy and precious name , I pray . Amen . 54:27.320 --> 54:30.000 Post in , post the side boys . 54:55.909 --> 54:58.229 Under Secretary of War for acquisition 54:58.229 --> 55:00.110 and sustainment departing . 55:17.010 --> 55:19.870 Defense Contract Management Agency 55:20.129 --> 55:20.850 departing . 55:36.929 --> 55:39.610 United States Navy captain retired , 55:39.689 --> 55:40.489 departing . 55:53.370 --> 55:55.537 On behalf of the Honorable Michael P . 55:55.610 --> 55:57.554 Duffy and the men and women of the 55:57.554 --> 55:59.610 Defense Contract Management Agency , 55:59.610 --> 56:01.209 thank you for joining the ceremony .