Leadership

In just a few moments, you will take an oath — not to a person, not to a political party, but to the Constitution.

The power of America's military not only rests on our technology, our weaponry, our hardware. It rests on the character and the resolve of our people.

As officers, you are about to be granted one of the greatest privileges and most sacred duties that our nation can bestow: to lead American service members.

Every day, every year, and for every graduating class, there is a choice to be made: those who embrace liberty and freedom for all, those who won't, or those who are indifferent. Only the first do the work.

America is the only country in the world founded on an idea. Not a joke. The idea was: we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men and women are created equal.

You're the most progressive, best-educated, least prejudiced, most open generation in American history.

Your challenge as a leader is to treat every single person with equal dignity and respect, and find ways to unlock everyone's talent.

Dream big. Envision yourself. You can be a leader in your industry, or you can be the leader of a state. There is nothing stopping you.

Our nation is at its best when we realize that we all do better when we all do better.

I had to go and chop down that wood and build my own table. Then I had to invite the best there was to have a seat.

If you've built a chaos factory, you can't dodge responsibility for the chaos.

Whatever you do with your life, be a builder.