VADM Rowden: We are the preeminent Navy on the face of the Earth. We are the preeminent Surface Navy on the face of the Earth. That is not given, that is earned.
VADM Rowden: #SurForStrategy describes the return to #SeaControl, which is the timeless & universal purpose of the @USNavy. It also highlights the implementation of #DistributedLethality as an operational & organizational principle for achieving & sustaining sea control. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: There is a formula for remaining the most powerful Navy on the planet. The country needs just that: a powerful, #ForwardDeployed, lethal, & resilient surface force as an integral part of the @USNavy’s unique role in providing global freedom of the seas. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: The surface force provides a persistent and powerful conventional deterrent where the nation’s economic and diplomatic interests are most threatened. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: It's time for me to move on & turn things over to [VADM (sel)] Rich Brown, who will relieve me in about three weeks. I want to tell you that the Surface Force will be in good hands. As a matter of fact, great hands. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: Let me talk now about summer 2017. It was a tragic time. Seventeen U.S. Sailors perished in two separate and preventable incidents involving Japan-based U.S. Navy destroyers.
VADM Rowden To our Sailors & families on #USSFitzgerald & #USSJohnSMcCain, I want to express our deepest regret & sadness for the loss of 17 Americans who served their country & their Navy with pride & honor. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: In light of these incidents, the basic competence & professionalism of our community warranted close examination to get to the root causes & make immediate, near & long term changes to improve the safety & effectiveness of our Surface Force at sea. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: [Comprehensive Review] findings shed light on 5 key areas: Fundamentals, Teamwork, Operational Safety, Assessment, & Culture. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: We own our achievements & failures in these areas, & are aggressively working to improve them. This is truly a whole force effort & we will get this right. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: Let me be clear, the recommendations (resulting from the Comprehensive Review) are not simply a list of “to-do’s” – this is a cultural shift for the Surface Force and Navy to be safer & more effective at sea, & we’re ALL IN. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: I spent a lot of time on the deckplates, in Chief’s Messes, and in Wardrooms, and I want to share with you two things that I think they’d want you to know. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: First: they are proud of the work they do, and they are absolutely aware of its importance. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: Second: they need help—and by help, they mean time. Time to maintain their gear, time to refresh their basic individual and team skills, and time to unwind. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: I’m confident that the work will go on, & from these tragedies, we will see a continued renaissance in Surface Warfare in the future. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: I’m also excited about the sea-change taking place in our expeditionary forces with the introduction of the F-35B. We haven’t even begun to scratch the surface on what this amazing airplane will do. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: I’m excited about our plan to evolve the Small Surface Combatant to a multi-mission frigate, even as we dramatically increase the lethality of the existing #LCS fleet.
VADM Rowden: I’m excited about the future surface combatant effort underway at OPNAV. #SNA2018
VADM Rowden: I am confident that we are up to the challenges, & I am certain that in my 88th… I will be as proud to be part of this community as I am standing here today. Thank you very much. #USNavy #NavyPride #SNA2018
This concludes our live #SNA2018 coverage of @NAVSURFOR VADM Tom Rowden's remarks. If you'd like to see a video of today's address please visit: navylive.dodlive.mil/2018/01/07/sur… 
