UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 191615Z JAN 17 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 005/17 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JAN// SUBJ/SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FAREWELL// RMKS/1. Sailors, Marines, and Civilians of the Department of the Navy, it has been the greatest honor of my life serving as the Secretary of the Navy, leading our Navy and Marine Corps team. I am proud that, because of our work together, our Navy and Marine Corps are the most formidable expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known. Our people, Sailors, Marines, and Civilians - the best America has - are more diverse and have more opportunity and flexibility in the way they and their families serve our Nation. Our fleet is assured of topping 300 ships within two years, and we've made the necessary investments in aircraft, weapons, and technology. Our warfighting capabilities have been dramatically improved with our aggressive change in how we use energy and the types of energy we use. Our partnerships with the American people, with industry and with our friends and allies around the world are much stronger. Because of these efforts, our Navy and Marine Corps are even more capable of providing presence, around the globe around the clock, performing all the tasks the Nation expects and are prepared to meet anything that comes over the horizon. As the longest serving Secretary since World War I in this storied and historic post, I know the Navy and Marine Corps are significantly different from when I took office, and they are also substantially stronger. The Navy and Marine Corps are positioned to have as bright a future as their glorious past. Semper Fortis, Always Courageous Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful 2. Released by Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//