1 00:00:00,780 --> 00:00:04,430 - Warriors, the COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges 2 00:00:04,430 --> 00:00:07,080 that threaten the health and safety of our force. 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:09,250 We must meet these challenges with diligence 4 00:00:09,250 --> 00:00:12,180 and flexibility at all levels in order to ensure 5 00:00:12,180 --> 00:00:14,360 the welfare of our Marines and Sailors 6 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:17,990 and the continued combat readiness of our Blue Diamond. 7 00:00:17,990 --> 00:00:20,460 Here in the 1st Marine Division, we're adhering 8 00:00:20,460 --> 00:00:23,340 to the Department of Defense and service guidance, 9 00:00:23,340 --> 00:00:26,030 and to the greatest extent, the guidelines advocated 10 00:00:26,030 --> 00:00:28,520 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention 11 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:31,010 in order to make the most informed decisions 12 00:00:31,010 --> 00:00:34,150 about how to proceed during this dynamic time. 13 00:00:34,150 --> 00:00:36,720 I'm calling on all Marines and Sailors to continue 14 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,250 to respect social distancing and conduct those hygiene 15 00:00:40,250 --> 00:00:43,330 and continuing actions to keep our bodies healthy 16 00:00:43,330 --> 00:00:46,330 and our equipment, work areas, and barracks clean 17 00:00:46,330 --> 00:00:49,210 to help prevent the spread of this virus. 18 00:00:49,210 --> 00:00:52,500 Rest assured we'll make every effort to safeguard 19 00:00:52,500 --> 00:00:55,750 the health and safety of our 1st Marine Division family 20 00:00:55,750 --> 00:00:58,360 while ensuring our force remains ready 21 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,140 to meet the critical requirements 22 00:01:00,140 --> 00:01:02,633 our nation demands of its war fighters. 23 00:01:03,940 --> 00:01:07,610 - We must not downplay the severity of the issue at hand. 24 00:01:07,610 --> 00:01:11,330 We recognize that our people, the Marines and Sailors 25 00:01:11,330 --> 00:01:15,060 who fill our ranks are the greatest asset we have. 26 00:01:15,060 --> 00:01:18,210 It is time to leverage our small unit leaders 27 00:01:18,210 --> 00:01:20,603 to ensure the protection of those assets. 28 00:01:21,730 --> 00:01:24,690 - We are relying on leaders throughout the division, 29 00:01:24,690 --> 00:01:27,800 leaders like you, to do your part. 30 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:31,560 Small unit leadership is as important now as ever. 31 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,170 If we fail in this area, we will see 32 00:01:34,170 --> 00:01:37,000 our capabilities begin to degrade. 33 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:41,410 But if we use this time to reinforce small unit leadership, 34 00:01:41,410 --> 00:01:42,840 we can come out of the other side 35 00:01:42,840 --> 00:01:45,223 of this pandemic stronger than ever. 36 00:01:47,180 --> 00:01:49,720 - Now, when it comes to training for our small unit 37 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:54,000 leaders especially at the team, squad, and platoon levels, 38 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,010 and in the manning of our crew serve weapons of war, 39 00:01:57,010 --> 00:01:58,820 from our machine guns and mortars 40 00:01:58,820 --> 00:02:02,070 to our howitzers and rockets, and in operating 41 00:02:02,070 --> 00:02:04,900 and maintaining our armored combat power, 42 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:07,100 from the combined anti-armor teams 43 00:02:07,100 --> 00:02:08,700 and our infantry battalions 44 00:02:08,700 --> 00:02:11,530 to our most lethal main battle tanks. 45 00:02:11,530 --> 00:02:14,430 I know that maintaining close physical contact 46 00:02:14,430 --> 00:02:17,530 isn't an option or choice, it's a necessity 47 00:02:17,530 --> 00:02:20,230 to fight as a combined arms team 48 00:02:20,230 --> 00:02:23,950 and accomplish the mission and win on the battlefield. 49 00:02:23,950 --> 00:02:26,680 So leaders, in this environment as we navigate 50 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:29,950 through the COVID-19 health crisis, I'm counting on you 51 00:02:29,950 --> 00:02:32,964 to help strike that balance between readiness 52 00:02:32,964 --> 00:02:35,500 and the necessary health precautions to preserve 53 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:38,870 our combat power and protect our communities. 54 00:02:38,870 --> 00:02:42,400 I know this is hard, but know that I trust you 55 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:44,870 to exercise good judgment in conducting 56 00:02:44,870 --> 00:02:47,890 those mission-essential tasks that ensure 57 00:02:47,890 --> 00:02:51,100 you're combat-ready to shoot, move, communicate, 58 00:02:51,100 --> 00:02:53,720 and medicate on the battlefield, and that you'll train 59 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:58,120 to keep your mind, body, and soul physically, mentally, 60 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:01,973 emotionally, and spiritually fit to fight and win. 61 00:03:03,850 --> 00:03:05,940 I need you to continue to train. 62 00:03:05,940 --> 00:03:08,620 But do so with an understanding of the health risk 63 00:03:08,620 --> 00:03:11,860 and work to minimize that risk. 64 00:03:11,860 --> 00:03:14,220 Look to eliminate non-mission critical training 65 00:03:14,220 --> 00:03:16,920 whenever you can, large gatherings 66 00:03:16,920 --> 00:03:19,380 and compact formations in classes 67 00:03:19,380 --> 00:03:23,290 that pose an unnecessary health risk to our force. 68 00:03:23,290 --> 00:03:27,290 So warriors, in closing, let's each do our part 69 00:03:27,290 --> 00:03:30,100 to keep our force healthy, especially during 70 00:03:30,100 --> 00:03:33,200 this health crisis, and let's make sure 71 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:35,410 that our beloved 1st Marine Division 72 00:03:35,410 --> 00:03:37,540 remains the most lethal, resilient, 73 00:03:37,540 --> 00:03:42,540 and combat-ready force of choice in any climb, in any place. 74 00:03:43,100 --> 00:03:44,283 Semper fidelis.