WEBVTT 00:08.430 --> 00:10.829 Good afternoon . On behalf of the 00:10.829 --> 00:13.310 Assistant Secretary of the Navy for 00:13.310 --> 00:15.270 Research , Development , and 00:15.270 --> 00:17.579 Acquisition , welcome to today's 00:17.579 --> 00:20.510 ceremony marking the sunset of Program 00:20.510 --> 00:23.110 Executive Office Land Systems and the 00:23.110 --> 00:26.069 establishment of Portfolio Acquisition 00:26.069 --> 00:29.479 Executive Marine Corps . Please rise 00:29.479 --> 00:31.760 for the invocation delivered by Captain 00:31.760 --> 00:34.759 Jeffrey B . Jenkins , Chaplain Corps , 00:35.119 --> 00:36.897 United States Navy , and remain 00:36.897 --> 00:38.675 standing for the playing of the 00:38.675 --> 00:40.900 national anthem , followed by honors . 00:42.139 --> 00:45.689 That's great . Almighty God , grant us 00:45.689 --> 00:47.800 your grace and your presence today as 00:47.800 --> 00:49.967 we gather for the establishment of PAE 00:49.967 --> 00:52.022 Marine Corps . Lord , I ask that you 00:52.022 --> 00:54.133 give us your mercy . Give us patience 00:54.133 --> 00:56.411 and perseverance in times of adversity , 00:56.411 --> 00:58.633 and shine your light upon us each day . 00:58.633 --> 01:00.856 Lord bless and guide General Austin and 01:00.856 --> 01:02.411 all those who will lead the 01:02.411 --> 01:04.633 establishment of PAE Marine Corps , and 01:04.633 --> 01:06.911 bless each person that's gathered here . 01:06.911 --> 01:08.911 Help us each to live with honor and 01:08.911 --> 01:10.967 integrity . It's in your holy name I 01:10.967 --> 01:10.629 pray . Amen . 01:17.349 --> 01:19.830 Ladies and gentlemen , our national 01:19.830 --> 01:20.430 anthem . 02:34.199 --> 02:36.032 Now , taking his position in the 02:36.032 --> 02:38.850 reviewing area is the Deputy Commandant 02:38.850 --> 02:41.490 for Combat Development and Integration , 02:41.759 --> 02:44.529 Lieutenant General Eric E . Austin . 03:05.899 --> 03:07.690 Thank you . Please be seated . 03:13.080 --> 03:15.559 Ladies and gentlemen , as we begin , it 03:15.559 --> 03:17.919 is important to understand the legacy 03:17.919 --> 03:20.440 represented by Program Executive Office 03:20.440 --> 03:22.839 Land Systems and the impact this 03:22.839 --> 03:25.279 storied organization has had on the 03:25.279 --> 03:27.720 Marine Corps acquisition enterprise , 03:28.039 --> 03:30.440 evolving over more than a century and 03:30.440 --> 03:32.662 adapting . Alongside the corps itself , 03:32.979 --> 03:35.369 it has partnered with Marines as they 03:35.369 --> 03:37.820 prepared for expeditionary operations 03:37.820 --> 03:40.820 in the early 20th century , formalized 03:40.820 --> 03:44.179 the Fleet Marine Force in 1933 , and 03:44.179 --> 03:46.789 refined its warfighting capabilities 03:46.789 --> 03:48.740 through decades of conflict and 03:48.740 --> 03:51.399 innovation . Following the Goldwater 03:51.399 --> 03:53.121 Nichols Act , the Marine Corps 03:53.121 --> 03:55.139 established a more disciplined and 03:55.139 --> 03:57.210 integrated approach to acquisition , 03:57.500 --> 03:59.899 leading to the creation of Marine Corps 03:59.899 --> 04:02.580 Research , Development and Acquisition 04:02.580 --> 04:05.619 Command in 1987 , later 04:05.619 --> 04:08.820 redesignated as Marine Corps Systems 04:08.820 --> 04:11.410 Command . Throughout this evolution , 04:11.619 --> 04:13.841 the acquisition enterprise has remained 04:13.841 --> 04:15.786 closely aligned with the operating 04:15.786 --> 04:18.079 forces , ensuring Marines are equipped 04:18.079 --> 04:20.899 to meet the demands of an increasingly 04:20.899 --> 04:23.700 complex and contested environment . As 04:23.700 --> 04:25.420 the Marine Corps portfolio of 04:25.420 --> 04:27.739 acquisition Category One programs 04:27.739 --> 04:30.700 expanded in the early 2000s , the need 04:30.700 --> 04:33.459 for centralized executive oversight of 04:33.459 --> 04:36.160 major defense acquisition programs 04:36.170 --> 04:39.510 became clear . In response , Program 04:39.510 --> 04:41.589 Executive Office Land Systems was 04:41.589 --> 04:45.250 established in 2006 under the authority 04:45.339 --> 04:47.890 of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy 04:48.059 --> 04:50.269 for Research , Development , and 04:50.269 --> 04:52.589 Acquisition , becoming the Marine Corps 04:52.589 --> 04:54.670 focal point for delivering and 04:54.670 --> 04:58.250 sustaining ground combat capabilities 04:58.750 --> 05:00.899 for nearly two decades in close 05:00.899 --> 05:03.121 partnership with Marine Corps . Systems 05:03.121 --> 05:06.480 Command PEO Land Systems has served as 05:06.480 --> 05:08.760 a cornerstone of the Marine Corps 05:08.760 --> 05:11.519 acquisition enterprise , advancing the 05:11.519 --> 05:13.600 development , integration , and 05:13.600 --> 05:16.160 fielding of critical capabilities in 05:16.160 --> 05:19.119 support of the Fleet Marine Force . Its 05:19.119 --> 05:21.200 legacy is defined not only by the 05:21.200 --> 05:23.279 systems it delivered , but by the 05:23.279 --> 05:25.859 professionals who built , managed , and 05:25.859 --> 05:29.429 sustained them . Ladies and gentlemen , 05:29.600 --> 05:32.269 a letter from the commandant of the 05:32.269 --> 05:36.070 Marine Corps . For Program Executive 05:36.070 --> 05:39.010 Officer Land Systems , senior executive 05:39.269 --> 05:42.190 Steven Baldron , congratulations on a 05:42.190 --> 05:44.750 job well done . The accomplishments of 05:44.750 --> 05:47.149 PEO Land Systems and equipping our 05:47.149 --> 05:49.149 Marines with the finest warfighting 05:49.149 --> 05:51.829 capabilities are a direct reflection of 05:51.829 --> 05:54.410 your outstanding work and dedication . 05:54.709 --> 05:57.250 You expertly led efforts to modernize 05:57.250 --> 05:59.500 and sustain operational readiness , 05:59.790 --> 06:01.589 whether enhancing expeditionary 06:01.589 --> 06:04.299 capabilities , fielding our next 06:04.299 --> 06:06.188 generation equipment , or driving 06:06.188 --> 06:08.350 integration with our joint and allied 06:08.350 --> 06:10.670 partners . Your efforts make certain 06:10.670 --> 06:13.109 our Marines are prepared to fight and 06:13.109 --> 06:15.959 win . You met today's requirements with 06:15.959 --> 06:18.126 precision while positioning the Marine 06:18.126 --> 06:19.848 Corps to succeed in tomorrow's 06:19.848 --> 06:21.848 contingencies . The Marine Corps is 06:21.848 --> 06:24.181 grateful for your unwavering commitment , 06:24.181 --> 06:26.237 and we wish you all the best in this 06:26.237 --> 06:28.459 next chapter , serving as the executive 06:28.459 --> 06:32.350 director for PAE Marine Corps . For 06:32.350 --> 06:34.450 portfolio acquisition executive , 06:34.470 --> 06:36.730 Marine Corps , Lieutenant General Eric 06:36.730 --> 06:39.510 Austin , smash as the character of 06:39.510 --> 06:42.190 warfare changes at a rapid pace , so 06:42.190 --> 06:44.329 too must our acquisition enterprise . 06:44.750 --> 06:47.149 The establishment of PAE Marine Corps 06:47.149 --> 06:49.390 marks a fundamental change in how we do 06:49.390 --> 06:51.880 business by aligning authority . With 06:51.880 --> 06:54.399 responsibility , you are charged with 06:54.399 --> 06:56.232 making critical decisions to get 06:56.232 --> 06:58.455 relevant capabilities into the hands of 06:58.455 --> 07:01.459 our warfighters at an accelerated pace . 07:01.799 --> 07:04.021 As you assume this role , know that you 07:04.021 --> 07:06.519 have my total trust and confidence . I 07:06.519 --> 07:08.630 know you will instill our warfighting 07:08.630 --> 07:11.119 ethos to this vital mission . Severer 07:11.119 --> 07:14.619 Fidelis , Eric M . Smith , General , 07:15.200 --> 07:17.820 United States Marine Corps , Commandant 07:17.880 --> 07:21.679 of the Marine Corps . Please 07:21.690 --> 07:24.070 join me in welcoming Mr . Steven Bowron , 07:24.609 --> 07:27.850 Program Executive officer for PEO Land 07:27.850 --> 07:28.790 Systems . 07:37.350 --> 07:39.350 Good afternoon all . Thank you very 07:39.350 --> 07:41.406 much for coming . Special welcome to 07:41.406 --> 07:43.461 Commandant . It seemed like a minute 07:43.461 --> 07:45.517 ago , but actually 4 years ago , you 07:45.517 --> 07:47.294 introduced me to this great and 07:47.294 --> 07:49.294 wonderful team down here at PO Land 07:49.294 --> 07:51.461 System consists of over at the clubs . 07:51.461 --> 07:53.350 It was , it was a great day . You 07:53.350 --> 07:55.294 warned the staff that , uh , hey , 07:55.294 --> 07:57.517 you're getting this , uh , rusty , uh , 07:57.517 --> 07:59.794 surface warfare officer coming in here . 07:59.794 --> 07:59.690 He has a nice side , but . He also got 07:59.690 --> 08:01.857 a , you know , tough side as well , so 08:02.049 --> 08:03.716 I appreciate that welcome . I 08:03.716 --> 08:05.716 appreciate you bringing me into the 08:05.716 --> 08:07.938 Marine Corps . Really enjoyed it , Mr . 08:07.938 --> 08:10.049 Potter . Welcome , Lieutenant General 08:10.049 --> 08:10.000 Austin , distinguished general officers 08:10.250 --> 08:12.369 and senior executives , industry 08:12.369 --> 08:15.290 partners , the PLA and Systems team , a 08:15.290 --> 08:17.401 couple of former , uh , PLA systems , 08:17.401 --> 08:19.568 Mr . John Garner , Bill Taylor , thank 08:19.568 --> 08:21.679 you so much for coming and being here 08:21.679 --> 08:23.790 today , and especially welcome to the 08:23.790 --> 08:25.846 great program professionals gathered 08:25.846 --> 08:28.068 here today to witness this event . It's 08:28.068 --> 08:30.068 a unique ceremony . I , I mean I've 08:30.068 --> 08:32.400 heard of systems being sunset but not 08:32.400 --> 08:34.511 organizations per se , but the reason 08:34.511 --> 08:36.511 we sunset systems is because we got 08:36.511 --> 08:38.733 some new capability coming in , right ? 08:38.733 --> 08:40.844 We've got some new , new talent , new 08:40.844 --> 08:42.900 capability , and I think that's very 08:42.900 --> 08:44.956 much the theme of today . It's not a 08:44.956 --> 08:47.178 sunset , it's the rise of a , a great , 08:47.178 --> 08:49.580 uh , organizing principle which I trust 08:49.580 --> 08:51.636 I'll share some examples of with you 08:51.636 --> 08:53.802 here . But it's a unique ceremony . It 08:53.802 --> 08:56.024 marks a transition , a deliberate shift 08:56.024 --> 08:57.913 of some of the Marine Corps' most 08:57.913 --> 08:59.969 respected , uniformed , and civilian 08:59.969 --> 09:01.913 acquisition professionals from one 09:01.913 --> 09:04.136 formation to another . This is maneuver 09:04.136 --> 09:05.969 warfare and acquisition . It's a 09:05.969 --> 09:08.191 repositioning of critical capability on 09:08.191 --> 09:10.960 the Big A acquisition battlefield . For 09:10.960 --> 09:13.016 years , the stakeholders who develop 09:13.016 --> 09:15.200 and deliver combat capability have 09:15.200 --> 09:17.422 worked together closely and effectively 09:17.789 --> 09:20.450 program officers , PEO staff , Marine 09:20.450 --> 09:22.506 Corps Systems Command , CDNI , McW , 09:23.080 --> 09:25.302 and many others . Mr . Potter , I think 09:25.302 --> 09:27.636 you saw some of that today in our tours . 09:27.636 --> 09:29.747 Those relationships matter . They are 09:29.747 --> 09:32.080 foundational to our success . Within 09:32.080 --> 09:34.136 that group , I want to highlight the 09:34.136 --> 09:35.913 achievements of the acquisition 09:35.913 --> 09:37.913 professionals and staff of PEO Land 09:37.913 --> 09:40.820 Systems . You have a remarkable history 09:40.820 --> 09:42.987 of delivering combat capability to our 09:42.987 --> 09:45.098 corps . I know , I know this not only 09:45.098 --> 09:46.987 because I've had the privilege of 09:46.987 --> 09:49.098 leading you for 4 years , but because 09:49.098 --> 09:51.209 I've seen the results firsthand . You 09:51.209 --> 09:53.042 have put transformational ground 09:53.042 --> 09:55.299 systems into the hands of Marines . You 09:55.299 --> 09:57.355 advanced air defense and situational 09:57.355 --> 09:59.132 awareness . You streamlined the 09:59.132 --> 10:01.355 fielding of emerging technologies , and 10:01.355 --> 10:03.466 you did so in direct support of force 10:03.466 --> 10:05.132 design through integrated and 10:05.132 --> 10:07.132 disciplined acquisition execution . 10:07.270 --> 10:10.630 From ACV to ARB , from JLTVs to 10:10.630 --> 10:13.690 MTVRs , from Gator to Mattis , from 10:13.690 --> 10:15.579 Stinger to medium-range intercept 10:15.579 --> 10:17.801 capability , from the Family integrated 10:17.801 --> 10:19.634 targeting cells to offensive and 10:19.634 --> 10:21.750 defensive cyber programs , from 10:21.750 --> 10:23.861 composite tracking network to network 10:23.861 --> 10:25.950 on the move and naval integration 10:25.950 --> 10:28.549 across overmatch , you have delivered 10:28.549 --> 10:30.327 almost a half million pieces of 10:30.327 --> 10:32.382 individual military equipment to our 10:32.382 --> 10:35.390 warfighters . That is an incredible 10:35.390 --> 10:37.446 achievement . You have fundamentally 10:37.446 --> 10:39.446 improved lethality , mobility , and 10:39.446 --> 10:41.390 survivability for the Fleet Marine 10:41.390 --> 10:43.446 Force . Another way to measure those 10:43.446 --> 10:45.279 achievements is in the amount of 10:45.279 --> 10:47.559 dollars you've processed . Over $28 10:47.559 --> 10:51.359 billion in funding from 2007 to 2026 , 10:51.520 --> 10:53.631 and we're not anywhere close to being 10:53.631 --> 10:55.798 done . And your work over the last two 10:55.798 --> 10:57.729 decades has not gone unnoticed by 10:57.729 --> 11:00.409 senior leadership and your peers . PEO 11:00.409 --> 11:03.359 Land Systems personnel have received 14 11:03.359 --> 11:05.415 Marine Corps Association , Higgins , 11:05.415 --> 11:07.359 Stoner , Roebling , Kreutzer , and 11:07.359 --> 11:09.359 Bates Awards , 12 Department of the 11:09.359 --> 11:11.581 Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards , 34 11:11.581 --> 11:13.692 CISCO Acquisition Excellence Awards , 11:13.729 --> 11:16.489 25 external awards , and I am proud to 11:16.489 --> 11:18.289 have personally signed over 70 11:18.289 --> 11:20.456 commendations and awards to the team . 11:20.770 --> 11:22.992 Your acquisition of excellence has been 11:22.992 --> 11:24.992 extraordinarily impactful . But the 11:24.992 --> 11:27.159 fleet knows their impact differently . 11:27.159 --> 11:29.270 They've been inside the vehicles that 11:29.270 --> 11:31.437 maneuver under fire . They rely on the 11:31.437 --> 11:33.103 sustainment systems that keep 11:33.103 --> 11:35.270 formations moving . They depend on the 11:35.270 --> 11:37.437 protection upgrades that bring Marines 11:37.437 --> 11:39.603 home . That work mattered and it still 11:39.603 --> 11:41.714 matters because somewhere right now a 11:41.714 --> 11:43.937 marine is climbing into a platform this 11:43.937 --> 11:46.159 team fielded . That Marine doesn't know 11:46.159 --> 11:48.214 the milestone authority . They don't 11:48.214 --> 11:50.270 know the budget line . The marine in 11:50.270 --> 11:50.099 contact does not care how we organize . 11:50.559 --> 11:52.726 They care about the result . They care 11:52.726 --> 11:54.615 that the vehicle starts , that it 11:54.615 --> 11:56.615 integrates with the fight , that it 11:56.615 --> 11:58.615 survives first contact and the next 11:58.615 --> 12:00.710 contact , and that it evolves faster 12:00.770 --> 12:03.090 than the enemy's systems can evolve . 12:03.369 --> 12:05.591 They know one thing , again , it better 12:05.591 --> 12:07.758 work . But the character of warfare is 12:07.758 --> 12:10.000 changing . It's changing faster than 12:10.000 --> 12:11.778 our traditional structures were 12:11.778 --> 12:13.889 designed to handle . Peer adversaries 12:13.960 --> 12:16.016 are compressing development cycles . 12:16.016 --> 12:18.016 They're integrating autonomy , long 12:18.016 --> 12:20.119 range fires , sensing , and EW into 12:20.119 --> 12:22.175 cohesive ground formations . They're 12:22.175 --> 12:24.780 iterating in contact and in some areas 12:25.239 --> 12:27.072 outpacing us in the invention to 12:27.072 --> 12:30.159 inventory contest . Force design 12:30.159 --> 12:32.326 demands that we do the same and more . 12:32.530 --> 12:34.641 It demands that we align mobilities , 12:34.729 --> 12:37.289 fire , sustainment , and C2 for 12:37.289 --> 12:39.609 distributed operations inside contested 12:39.609 --> 12:42.489 environments . If we perfect individual 12:42.489 --> 12:44.656 programs but fail to integrate them at 12:44.656 --> 12:46.770 speed , we risk delivering excellence 12:46.770 --> 12:49.169 in pieces while the battlefield demands 12:49.169 --> 12:52.450 coherence as a whole . Mobility now 12:52.450 --> 12:54.770 supports expeditionary advanced bases . 12:55.169 --> 12:58.289 Vehicles are nodes in sensing and C2 12:58.289 --> 13:01.090 networks . Sustained must function in 13:01.090 --> 13:03.450 contested logistics . Protection must 13:03.450 --> 13:05.010 evolve as threats adapt . 13:09.309 --> 13:11.531 The seams between systems are no longer 13:11.531 --> 13:13.909 administrative inconveniences . They 13:13.909 --> 13:16.270 are operational risk . That's why the 13:16.270 --> 13:18.349 portfolio acquisition executive 13:18.349 --> 13:20.989 construct matters . It moves us from 13:20.989 --> 13:22.799 managing platforms to shaping 13:22.799 --> 13:25.030 integrated combat capability . It 13:25.030 --> 13:27.141 allows us to make informed trade-offs 13:27.141 --> 13:29.039 at the portfolio level to align 13:29.039 --> 13:31.095 industrial strategy , to synchronize 13:31.095 --> 13:33.095 modernization , and to compress the 13:33.095 --> 13:35.750 time between concept and fleet delivery . 13:36.349 --> 13:38.405 This is not about adding oversight . 13:38.405 --> 13:40.571 It's about discipline and speed . It's 13:40.571 --> 13:42.793 about increasing velocity toward combat 13:42.793 --> 13:45.270 capability and lethality , and it takes 13:45.270 --> 13:47.103 advantage of the changes already 13:47.103 --> 13:49.437 underway in our requirements , planning , 13:49.437 --> 13:51.714 programming , and resourcing processes , 13:51.714 --> 13:53.881 processes that are beginning to adjust 13:53.881 --> 13:56.048 toward greater flexibility and greater 13:56.048 --> 13:59.070 speed . The PAE construct lets us apply 13:59.070 --> 14:02.020 those changes at scale . To the 14:02.020 --> 14:04.187 workforce , you are the main effort in 14:04.187 --> 14:06.469 this transition . The incorporation of 14:06.469 --> 14:08.358 PEO land systems and Marine Corps 14:08.358 --> 14:10.469 Systems Command managed programs into 14:10.469 --> 14:13.669 the PEA PAE elevates both you and your 14:13.669 --> 14:16.030 contributions . Your expertise now 14:16.030 --> 14:18.380 informs enterprise level decisions 14:18.390 --> 14:20.334 across the ground combat element . 14:20.590 --> 14:23.109 Programs deliver systems . Portfolios 14:23.109 --> 14:25.549 deliver integrated combat power , and 14:25.549 --> 14:27.710 integrated combat power delivered at 14:27.710 --> 14:29.766 speed and aligned to force design is 14:29.766 --> 14:32.419 the standard we must meet . I am proud 14:32.419 --> 14:34.530 to have helped led this team into our 14:34.530 --> 14:36.586 next chapter and to lead it into our 14:36.586 --> 14:38.641 next chapter . You thrive and change 14:38.641 --> 14:40.697 because of the culture you embrace , 14:40.697 --> 14:42.641 mission-focused , curious , always 14:42.641 --> 14:44.419 striving to improve , agile and 14:44.419 --> 14:46.752 comfortable operating in chaos at times . 14:46.940 --> 14:49.162 So , to those I've had the privilege to 14:49.162 --> 14:51.051 lead , please fall in smartly and 14:51.051 --> 14:53.051 eagerly to this new PAE formation . 14:53.051 --> 14:55.273 Bring all of your talents , treasures , 14:55.273 --> 14:57.496 and energy to bear . Set new land speed 14:57.496 --> 14:59.551 records for capability development . 14:59.551 --> 15:01.718 Our Marines cannot wait . Let me close 15:01.718 --> 15:04.020 with this . This transition ensures we 15:04.020 --> 15:05.742 deliver not just platforms but 15:05.742 --> 15:07.964 advantage , because in the next fight , 15:08.010 --> 15:10.380 which may be very soon , the side that 15:10.380 --> 15:12.324 integrates capability and capacity 15:12.324 --> 15:14.739 faster wins , and our job at every 15:14.739 --> 15:16.739 level is to ensure that side is the 15:16.739 --> 15:19.017 United States Marine Corps . Thank you . 15:27.510 --> 15:30.059 Thank you , Mr . Baldron . It is now my 15:30.059 --> 15:32.830 privilege to introduce Mr . Jason L . 15:33.030 --> 15:35.059 Potter , performing the duties of 15:35.059 --> 15:37.630 Assistant Secretary of the Navy for 15:37.630 --> 15:39.429 Research , Development , and 15:39.429 --> 15:40.270 acquisition . 15:49.359 --> 15:51.581 Thank you very much , uh , Steve , very 15:51.581 --> 15:54.169 well said . Uh , thank you again for 15:54.169 --> 15:56.336 your leadership , uh , over these last 15:56.336 --> 15:58.369 3.5 years . I'd like to thank the 15:58.369 --> 16:00.480 commandant and Mrs . Smith , uh , for 16:00.480 --> 16:02.369 your presence here today , senior 16:02.369 --> 16:04.219 executives , general , and flag 16:04.219 --> 16:06.210 officers , industry partners , 16:06.770 --> 16:09.010 acquisition professionals , ladies and 16:09.010 --> 16:11.121 gentlemen , uh , it is a great Marine 16:11.121 --> 16:14.090 Corps Day in Quantico as we honor the 16:14.090 --> 16:17.169 truly remarkable 20-year legacy of PEO 16:17.169 --> 16:21.039 Land Systems . And thank Steve for his 16:21.039 --> 16:22.983 leadership again over the last 3.5 16:22.983 --> 16:25.400 years . It is truly remarkable what 16:25.400 --> 16:27.400 they've achieved and the capability 16:27.400 --> 16:29.622 delivered for the Marine Corps , and it 16:29.622 --> 16:31.789 was the right model for the time . And 16:31.789 --> 16:33.678 we'll talk again about the PAE uh 16:33.678 --> 16:35.789 structure here and the opportunity to 16:35.789 --> 16:37.511 up our game collectively where 16:37.511 --> 16:40.059 everybody has a place on the team . But 16:40.059 --> 16:42.059 I do want to mention , Steve , your 16:42.059 --> 16:44.281 background as a retired surface warfare 16:44.281 --> 16:46.770 officer , uh , and I'm a fellow SW , uh , 16:46.780 --> 16:49.580 retired SWO , and I remember serving as 16:49.580 --> 16:52.619 a boat officer , marking AAV boat lanes 16:52.619 --> 16:54.730 and conducting well deck operations . 16:55.099 --> 16:57.321 These were formative experiences for me 16:57.321 --> 17:00.119 as a young ensign when I served as part 17:00.119 --> 17:02.008 of a proud Navy Marine Corps team 17:02.369 --> 17:05.540 aboard USS Rushmore , LSD 47 , 17:06.069 --> 17:09.069 America's Gator . In the mid 17:09.069 --> 17:12.689 2000s during Operation Iraqi Freedom 17:12.689 --> 17:15.510 with the 15th Mu . For my first days as 17:15.510 --> 17:17.566 a naval officer , I've had the great 17:17.566 --> 17:19.677 fortune to be part of the Navy Marine 17:19.677 --> 17:21.732 Corps team , and it's an honor to be 17:21.732 --> 17:23.454 here today . Commandant , your 17:23.454 --> 17:25.621 leadership is the cornerstone of force 17:25.621 --> 17:27.677 design , which has stood the test of 17:27.677 --> 17:29.843 time , with broad support is the right 17:29.843 --> 17:31.677 strategy to deliver Marine Corps 17:31.677 --> 17:34.959 lethality at speed and scale . Your 17:34.959 --> 17:37.181 support of the Marine Corps acquisition 17:37.181 --> 17:39.181 community is strong and driving the 17:39.181 --> 17:40.903 acquisition velocity needed to 17:40.903 --> 17:42.959 implement force design . I thank you 17:42.959 --> 17:44.626 for your trust in me and your 17:44.626 --> 17:46.737 partnership to work with you and your 17:46.737 --> 17:48.903 entire team to do that . I commend the 17:48.903 --> 17:51.070 commandant and the entire team here at 17:51.070 --> 17:53.599 PAE Marine Corps for the bold approach 17:53.780 --> 17:56.099 that breaks down the walls between 17:56.099 --> 17:58.099 requirements and acquisition with a 17:58.099 --> 18:01.339 combined Mitic PAEE structure . You 18:01.339 --> 18:03.739 went big in this transition and you're 18:03.739 --> 18:06.569 leading the way for the department . Uh , 18:06.670 --> 18:08.900 it's a patriotic workforce here in 18:08.900 --> 18:10.750 Quantico who will take this 18:10.750 --> 18:13.829 reorganization and use it to step up 18:13.829 --> 18:15.949 the speed and scale of Marine Corps 18:15.949 --> 18:18.459 capability . You are the plank owner , 18:18.670 --> 18:21.430 plank owners of PAE Marine Corps , and 18:21.430 --> 18:24.619 we are rooting for your success . This 18:24.619 --> 18:26.900 ceremony marks the latest example of 18:26.900 --> 18:29.260 the commitment and aggressiveness this 18:29.260 --> 18:31.900 nation relies on from its Marine Corps . 18:32.869 --> 18:34.980 Last July , the president signed into 18:34.980 --> 18:37.140 law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act , 18:37.430 --> 18:39.374 which included tens of billions of 18:39.374 --> 18:41.319 dollars to bolster Navy and Marine 18:41.319 --> 18:43.319 Corps capabilities . Increasing the 18:43.319 --> 18:46.030 capacity of our shipyards and suppliers 18:46.030 --> 18:48.750 is critical to meeting the R 3.0 18:48.750 --> 18:51.449 requirement . The one big beautiful 18:51.449 --> 18:54.849 bill included $1.9 billion to jumpstart 18:54.849 --> 18:57.069 the medium landing ship or LSM . 18:57.550 --> 18:59.661 Another Navy Marine Corps team that I 18:59.661 --> 19:01.550 am proud to serve on with General 19:01.550 --> 19:04.050 Austin , Sean Brody , many of you here 19:04.050 --> 19:06.050 today . I'm proud of the work we've 19:06.050 --> 19:08.650 done . Since July , we've selected a 19:08.650 --> 19:10.872 non-developmental build to print design 19:10.872 --> 19:13.039 and issued a request for proposals for 19:13.039 --> 19:15.150 a vessel construction manager . These 19:15.150 --> 19:17.689 are bold actions to speed up and 19:17.689 --> 19:20.739 simplify production . Our leadership 19:20.739 --> 19:23.040 has been abundantly clear , move fast , 19:23.339 --> 19:26.719 eliminate bureaucracy . A year ago 19:26.719 --> 19:28.886 yesterday , President Trump issued two 19:28.886 --> 19:30.886 executive orders , one to modernize 19:30.886 --> 19:33.280 defense acquisition and spur innovation , 19:33.319 --> 19:35.359 and the other to restore maritime 19:35.359 --> 19:38.109 dominance . Secretary Hegseth and 19:38.109 --> 19:39.760 Secretary Phelan ordered the 19:39.760 --> 19:41.927 establishment of portfolio acquisition 19:41.927 --> 19:44.579 executives . These are senior leaders 19:44.800 --> 19:47.022 with a responsibility , authority , and 19:47.022 --> 19:49.459 accountability to deliver a portfolio 19:49.459 --> 19:52.709 of capabilities . These PAEs are 19:52.709 --> 19:54.765 accountable and they have the direct 19:54.765 --> 19:56.931 authority not only for program offices 19:57.199 --> 19:59.239 but importantly over the associated 19:59.239 --> 20:01.839 technical , contracting , sustainment , 20:02.119 --> 20:04.540 and oversight functions that give true 20:04.540 --> 20:07.560 cradle to grave responsibility to these 20:07.560 --> 20:09.338 officials to deliver integrated 20:09.338 --> 20:11.560 capabilities across their portfolios or 20:11.560 --> 20:14.099 their life cycle . Sounds like a lot 20:14.099 --> 20:17.359 and it's very technical , but the not 20:17.359 --> 20:19.692 having all those functions in one place , 20:19.692 --> 20:21.692 any one of those things can slow us 20:21.692 --> 20:23.637 down and stop critical things from 20:23.637 --> 20:25.637 fielding . So I think for the first 20:25.637 --> 20:27.920 time really in 40 years , and we were 20:27.920 --> 20:30.031 talking about this at lunch since the 20:30.031 --> 20:31.920 Packard Commission when PEOs were 20:31.920 --> 20:33.809 created , it gets , you know , we 20:33.809 --> 20:35.864 finally got things back in one place 20:35.864 --> 20:37.976 and we think that is gonna rig us for 20:37.976 --> 20:40.031 speed . Roughly 70% of the functions 20:40.031 --> 20:41.976 that SISOs used to provide for our 20:41.976 --> 20:44.142 program offices and the personnel that 20:44.142 --> 20:46.253 perform them are moving to the PAEs , 20:46.253 --> 20:48.476 and it's more in the case of the Marine 20:48.476 --> 20:50.698 Corps . No longer will program managers 20:50.698 --> 20:52.753 operate in an environment where they 20:52.753 --> 20:54.809 control very few of the factors that 20:54.809 --> 20:56.976 influence program success or failure . 20:57.160 --> 20:59.049 We're in a new era of warfighting 20:59.049 --> 21:00.890 acquisition . Replacing a 21:00.890 --> 21:02.890 compliance-based bureaucracy with a 21:02.890 --> 21:05.339 system which has speeded delivery to 21:05.339 --> 21:07.450 the warfighter is the primary measure 21:07.450 --> 21:10.119 of success . Lieutenant General Austin 21:10.119 --> 21:12.341 is the right leader to take the helm of 21:12.341 --> 21:14.563 PA Marine Corps . When the Marine Corps 21:14.563 --> 21:16.730 goes over the horizon , I know General 21:16.730 --> 21:18.910 Austin is laser-focused on ensuring 21:19.010 --> 21:21.232 they have the most lethal capability to 21:21.232 --> 21:23.130 defeat our adversaries . Today's 21:23.130 --> 21:25.489 stand-up adds significant new tools to 21:25.489 --> 21:28.280 enable that decisive action . General , 21:28.359 --> 21:30.270 I look forward to deepening the 21:30.270 --> 21:32.326 relationship between PA Marine Corps 21:32.400 --> 21:34.719 and the ASN RDA teams , and you and me 21:34.719 --> 21:36.959 personally to capitalize on this 21:36.959 --> 21:39.359 once-in a-generation opportunity to 21:39.359 --> 21:41.192 speed up this capability for our 21:41.192 --> 21:43.650 Marines . Ladies and gentlemen , it is 21:43.650 --> 21:45.817 my great honor to officially recognize 21:46.189 --> 21:48.411 the Department of the Navy's first ever 21:48.411 --> 21:50.633 portfolio acquisition executive for the 21:50.633 --> 21:52.522 Marine Corps , Lieutenant General 21:52.522 --> 21:52.449 Austin . 22:04.290 --> 22:07.729 Sounds like a lot . Well , hey , uh , 22:07.930 --> 22:10.170 Commandant , uh , uh , Trish , great to 22:10.170 --> 22:12.359 see you , Mass General officers , uh , 22:12.369 --> 22:14.810 Mr . Potter , uh , team , uh , it's an 22:14.810 --> 22:17.032 amazing , uh , day , and it's , uh , an 22:17.032 --> 22:18.810 honor to have you all join us , 22:18.810 --> 22:20.977 industry partners , acquisition , uh , 22:20.977 --> 22:22.754 professionals , uh , allies and 22:22.754 --> 22:24.866 partners . I see you , uh , gentlemen 22:24.866 --> 22:24.354 over there . Thank you all for joining 22:24.354 --> 22:26.521 us , uh , and , uh , the first thing I 22:26.521 --> 22:28.632 wanna do real quick is just thank the 22:28.632 --> 22:28.474 people that made this happen because 22:28.474 --> 22:30.807 it's happened on reasonably short order , 22:30.807 --> 22:32.918 uh , and not only did they , uh , set 22:32.918 --> 22:34.974 up a static display , get the , uh , 22:34.974 --> 22:37.252 Quantico band out here , uh , and , uh , 22:37.252 --> 22:37.234 set this beautiful little surrounding 22:37.234 --> 22:39.345 boat , we , uh , nailed the weather , 22:39.345 --> 22:41.345 didn't we ? All right , so round of 22:41.345 --> 22:40.525 applause . 22:46.339 --> 22:48.339 So I'll tell you , it's an honor to 22:48.339 --> 22:50.450 stand before you as we mark a pivotal 22:50.450 --> 22:52.617 moment in our history , in the history 22:52.617 --> 22:52.560 of Marine Corps modernization . Today , 22:53.219 --> 22:55.108 we celebrate the establishment of 22:55.108 --> 22:57.275 Portfolio acquisition executive Marine 22:57.275 --> 22:59.330 Corps struct and bid farewell to PEO 22:59.330 --> 23:01.386 Land Systems . The transition is not 23:01.386 --> 23:03.108 just structural , uh , it is a 23:03.108 --> 23:04.941 transformation in how we deliver 23:04.941 --> 23:07.459 capabilities to our warfighters . As we 23:07.469 --> 23:09.636 reflect first on the legacy of PO Land 23:09.636 --> 23:11.802 Systems . And it is great to have John 23:11.802 --> 23:13.802 Garner , uh , Bill Taylor , and the 23:13.802 --> 23:16.920 most recent former , uh , PEO Steve 23:16.920 --> 23:19.087 Bowden , uh , in our presence . Uh , I 23:19.087 --> 23:21.198 do want to acknowledge the incredible 23:21.198 --> 23:23.142 contributions of the civilians and 23:23.142 --> 23:25.309 military professionals and Marines who 23:25.309 --> 23:27.476 worked tirelessly , uh , to ensure our 23:27.476 --> 23:26.599 Marines are equipped with the tools 23:26.599 --> 23:28.766 they need to succeed . Your dedication 23:28.766 --> 23:30.877 has laid the foundation for this next 23:30.877 --> 23:33.030 chapter . The establishment of PA 23:33.030 --> 23:35.030 Marine Corps is a bold step forward 23:35.030 --> 23:37.086 aligning with the acquisition reform 23:37.086 --> 23:39.141 guidance , as you've heard , and the 23:39.141 --> 23:41.141 intent from our Congress , from the 23:41.141 --> 23:40.810 President , from the Secretary of War , 23:40.859 --> 23:42.970 from the Secretary of the Navy , from 23:42.970 --> 23:45.192 our Assistant Secretary of the Navy for 23:45.192 --> 23:47.303 RDNA . This new construct is designed 23:47.303 --> 23:46.819 to accelerate the delivery of 23:46.819 --> 23:49.260 modernized integrated capabilities to 23:49.260 --> 23:51.482 Marines at the speed of relevance , and 23:51.482 --> 23:53.260 it's about process . It's about 23:53.260 --> 23:55.427 alignment . It's about velocity . It's 23:55.427 --> 23:57.538 about responsibility , and it's about 23:57.538 --> 23:57.010 accountability , themes that will 23:57.010 --> 23:59.579 define our path forward . The new 23:59.579 --> 24:01.746 structure empowers us to make physical 24:01.746 --> 24:04.079 and data-driven trade-offs across costs , 24:04.079 --> 24:05.857 schedule , and performance . It 24:05.857 --> 24:07.690 provides the flexibility to move 24:07.690 --> 24:09.690 resources to the point of need , to 24:09.690 --> 24:11.912 take calculated risks , and to adapt to 24:11.912 --> 24:13.579 emerging threats . It's about 24:13.579 --> 24:15.301 modernizing how we modernize , 24:15.301 --> 24:17.190 streamlining processes , updating 24:17.190 --> 24:17.010 authorities , and enabling faster 24:17.010 --> 24:19.066 decision making . I will dual hat in 24:19.066 --> 24:21.066 this role , which makes me directly 24:21.066 --> 24:23.121 accountable to our commandant as the 24:23.121 --> 24:25.066 deputy commandant for CDNI and the 24:25.066 --> 24:28.089 requirements side left and to the 24:28.089 --> 24:30.089 Assistant Secretary of the Navy for 24:30.089 --> 24:31.700 Research and Development and 24:31.700 --> 24:33.867 Acquisition as a PA for Marine Corps . 24:33.867 --> 24:35.969 This will ensure that our strategies 24:35.969 --> 24:38.080 are informed by warfighting means and 24:38.080 --> 24:40.589 executed with precision . The PA Marine 24:40.589 --> 24:42.422 Corps construct strengthens both 24:42.422 --> 24:44.422 vertical and horizontal alignment . 24:44.630 --> 24:46.408 Vertically , we're aligned with 24:46.408 --> 24:48.408 strategic guidance , the commandant 24:48.408 --> 24:50.408 modernization priorities , uh , and 24:50.408 --> 24:50.060 other things that you've heard our , 24:50.109 --> 24:51.887 our national defense strategy . 24:51.887 --> 24:53.720 Horizontally , we're integrating 24:53.720 --> 24:55.942 portfolios across the force development 24:55.942 --> 24:57.887 enterprise , leveraging capability 24:57.887 --> 24:59.831 portfolio managers to serve as the 24:59.831 --> 25:02.053 linchpins of this effort . These things 25:02.053 --> 25:03.949 will , will ensure coherence from 25:03.949 --> 25:07.250 concepts . Experimentation to war games 25:07.250 --> 25:09.194 to requirements to acquisitions to 25:09.194 --> 25:11.250 sustainment to divestment , breaking 25:11.250 --> 25:13.361 down stovepipes , fostering necessary 25:13.361 --> 25:15.139 collaboration and alignment and 25:15.139 --> 25:17.083 enabling velocity . This alignment 25:17.083 --> 25:19.250 extends beyond the Marine Corps . It's 25:19.250 --> 25:21.194 part of the Department of the Navy 25:21.194 --> 25:21.119 reorganization . We will be part of 25:21.119 --> 25:22.897 what appears to be up to , uh , 25:22.897 --> 25:25.760 potentially 11 PAEs , uh , and the 25:25.760 --> 25:28.030 Marine Corps has dependencies . To many 25:28.030 --> 25:29.974 of them represented by some of the 25:29.974 --> 25:32.141 senior leaders in the crowd here . And 25:32.141 --> 25:34.363 so thanks to my fellow PAEs for joining 25:34.363 --> 25:36.530 us , or soon-to be PAEs , uh , to be , 25:36.530 --> 25:38.863 uh , completely accurate for joining us , 25:38.863 --> 25:38.550 uh , this afternoon . This 25:38.550 --> 25:40.709 interconnectedness allows us to 25:40.709 --> 25:42.931 leverage expertise and resources across 25:42.931 --> 25:44.765 the enterprise , whether it's PA 25:44.765 --> 25:46.709 mission systems , PA maritime , PA 25:46.709 --> 25:49.150 munitions , or others . I look forward 25:49.150 --> 25:51.910 to partnering , uh , with the RDNA team 25:51.910 --> 25:53.949 and across the Don acquisition 25:53.949 --> 25:56.171 professionals to get our mission done . 25:57.270 --> 25:59.270 When you streamline processes , you 25:59.270 --> 26:01.326 provide clear guidance , you empower 26:01.326 --> 26:03.326 your team and aligned efforts . The 26:03.326 --> 26:05.548 outcome is velocity . Velocity is speed 26:05.548 --> 26:07.714 and direction , and that matters , and 26:07.714 --> 26:10.048 velocity is what our warfighters demand . 26:10.048 --> 26:12.048 They need equipment at the speed of 26:12.048 --> 26:14.103 relevance not 5 years from now , but 26:14.103 --> 26:13.939 today , and the PA Marine Corps 26:14.130 --> 26:16.709 contract will enable us to deliver , 26:16.760 --> 26:18.482 deliver capabilities faster to 26:18.482 --> 26:20.649 increased velocity . This will require 26:20.649 --> 26:22.760 thoughtful , creative acquisition and 26:22.760 --> 26:25.199 sustainment strategies that provide 26:25.199 --> 26:27.255 direction that understand and accept 26:27.255 --> 26:29.494 risk . The right . accepted at the 26:29.494 --> 26:31.550 right level , at the right echelon , 26:31.550 --> 26:33.883 and prioritize the needs of our marines . 26:33.883 --> 26:35.827 Prioritize mission outcomes . It's 26:35.827 --> 26:38.050 about empowering our program managers . 26:38.050 --> 26:40.272 It's about mission command . It's about 26:40.272 --> 26:41.772 empowering our acquisition 26:41.772 --> 26:43.661 professionals to execute with the 26:43.661 --> 26:45.605 agility and precision . It's about 26:45.605 --> 26:45.545 embracing a warfighting mindset in the 26:45.545 --> 26:49.545 spirit of MCDP1 , 1 that thrives , as 26:49.545 --> 26:52.505 Steve well articulated , in chaos 26:52.505 --> 26:54.838 adapts to change and moves with urgency . 26:55.709 --> 26:57.820 As we embark on this journey , I want 26:57.820 --> 26:59.876 to recognize the leaders who will be 26:59.876 --> 27:02.209 instrumental , uh , in our success , uh , 27:02.209 --> 27:04.209 Brigadier General Tamara Campbell , 27:04.209 --> 27:06.153 who's our deputy PA for the Marine 27:06.153 --> 27:08.098 Corps , uh , and , uh , Mr . Steve 27:08.098 --> 27:10.265 Batter , who is our executive director 27:10.265 --> 27:09.910 for PA Marine Corps . Their expertise 27:09.910 --> 27:12.077 and leadership is essential to our way 27:12.077 --> 27:14.188 forward . I'm proud to serve with you 27:14.188 --> 27:16.299 in this capacity . Thank you . To our 27:16.299 --> 27:18.521 Marines and civil servants , you're the 27:18.521 --> 27:18.209 backbone of this transformation . 27:18.290 --> 27:20.123 You're the main effort , as Mr . 27:20.123 --> 27:22.179 Vatteran stated . Your skills , your 27:22.179 --> 27:24.290 dedication , your innovation are what 27:24.290 --> 27:26.346 make this possible . As we adapt , I 27:26.346 --> 27:28.457 implore you to take full advantage of 27:28.457 --> 27:30.568 the opportunity at hand to share your 27:30.568 --> 27:32.790 insights , identify barriers , and help 27:32.790 --> 27:34.901 us refine our processes . Together we 27:34.901 --> 27:37.123 will deliver for our . Fighters , as it 27:37.123 --> 27:39.179 says on the PA Marine Corps patch on 27:39.179 --> 27:41.346 the front here . In closing , I'm both 27:41.346 --> 27:43.512 humbled and excited by the opportunity 27:43.512 --> 27:45.734 to lead this effort . The establishment 27:45.734 --> 27:47.846 of the PA Marine Corps is a testament 27:47.846 --> 27:49.846 to our commitment to modernize , to 27:49.846 --> 27:52.179 adapt , and to focus on our warfighters . 27:52.179 --> 27:54.290 It is our promise to our Marines that 27:54.290 --> 27:56.512 we will equip equip them with the tools 27:56.512 --> 27:58.760 they need to fight and win . Thank you 27:58.760 --> 28:01.093 all for your trust , except for Fidel's . 28:15.369 --> 28:17.536 Please rise for the playing of anchors 28:17.536 --> 28:18.900 away and the marines . 29:32.709 --> 29:35.469 This concludes today's ceremony . On 29:35.469 --> 29:37.829 behalf of the Assistant Secretary of 29:37.829 --> 29:40.189 the Navy for Research , Development , 29:40.229 --> 29:42.285 and acquisition , thank you for your 29:42.285 --> 29:44.650 attendance and continued support .