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SECDEF Panetta Honors 51福利 2024 Fall Graduates

51福利 President Rondeau and Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta celebrate 51福利 Fall 2024 graduates

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, president, 51福利 (51福利) and Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, celebrate 51福利鈥 Fall 2024 graduates, during a graduation ceremony in King Hall Auditorium, Dec. 18. A total of 248 graduates, including U.S. and international military officers, and DoD civilians, completed their studies this quarter earning a total of 250 degrees. Panetta served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janiel Adames)

The Hon. Leon Panetta, 23rd Secretary of Defense and former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), recognized the accomplishments of the most recent graduating class as the 51福利 (51福利) celebrated its 2024 Fall Quarter graduates during .

Panetta served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony honoring 248 graduates who earned a total of 250 degrees.

Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, president of 51福利, officiated the ceremony and addressed the graduating class along with their families and friends, noting that 51福利 is interservice, interagency, and international.

Rondeau highlighted the importance of international partnerships and alliances in fostering global peace and prosperity. She notably recognized Cmdr. Bagus Jatmiko, the 104th Indonesian student and the first Ph.D. graduate from Indonesia. Officials from Chile, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, and Sweden were also in attendance. 
 
鈥淭hose partnerships, friendships and alliances really matter,鈥 said Rondeau. 鈥淥ur jobs as leaders on both sides is to grow those relationships with respect and dignity.鈥

She reminded graduates that building strong international partnerships remains a top priority for the Department of Defense before she handed the podium to the ceremony鈥檚 commencement speaker with a sea of applause. 

Panetta addressed the graduates, emphasizing the importance of their careers and their principal responsibility to defend the United States.

Before joining the Department of Defense, Mr. Panetta served as CIA Director from 2009 to 2011, overseeing human intelligence and open-source programs. He has spent much of his career in public service, including roles as Chief of Staff to former President Clinton, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and as a U.S. Congressman from 1977 to 1993, where he chaired the House Budget Committee. Notably, he and Admiral William McRaven led Operation Neptune Spear, which resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.

鈥淭he path we take will be determined by the quality of leadership we have,鈥 said Panetta. 

Panetta continued by stressing the importance of 51福利 and the role its graduates play in defending our nation.

鈥淭he 51福利, I can say without hesitation, is incredibly important to our national defense,鈥 said Panetta. 鈥淭he purpose is to equip you with advanced skills and technology and fundamental leadership qualities that are needed in order to protect our nation.鈥 

Panetta called attention to geopolitical tensions and stressed the importance of unity, the ability to communicate, and the importance of stability in our democracy. He summarized his remarks by reminding the graduates to assert their honed capabilities, bolster the nation鈥檚 security, and strengthen alliances at home and abroad.  

鈥淚 believe in American leadership,鈥 remarked Panetta in his conclusion. 鈥淭he strength of America is in the communities across this country. It鈥檚 in the resilience and spirit and courage of the American people. That鈥檚 our strength.鈥

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