Vice Chairman and CNO Praises Outgoing NDU President

Admiral James A. Winnefeld, Jr., USN, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, officiated over the Change of Presidency ceremony, paying tribute to outgoing National Defense University President Navy Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau as a natural leader who has paved the way for many other women in the service.

Admiral Rondeau received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service, having served as the 13th president of the National Defense University.

Ambassador Nancy McEldowney, the Senior Vice President of the National Defense University, assumed the duties of Interim NDU President pending the arrival of Admiral Rondeau's replacement, Major General Gregg Martin, U.S. Army.

Vice Admiral Rondeau retires after 38 years of service to the U.S. Navy and the Nation.

Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, presided over her retirement ceremony.  His words of admiration, gratitude and thanks to Admiral Rondeau included a brief, but exceptional naval history lesson speaking about the War of 1812.

All across the country throughout this year, the Navy will be holding numerous events to celebrate this year being the Bi-Centennial year of the War of 1812.

Before an audience of friends, family, and distinguished guests that included attaches, ambassadors and many career military colleagues, including CIA Director David H. Petraeus and retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, Admiral Rondeau gave her farewell keynote address themed 'Gratitude.'

"This is about 'us;' this is about noting that it is a day to understand what it really means to have gratitude.  It is an extraordinary virtue."

"I am the daughter, the sister, the niece, and the aunt of military family," crediting much of her success to the list of relatives who also served in the military, including many who currently wear the cloth of the nation.

"I am also a citizen and a receiver of all the good things that our military has done. I am grateful to this profession of warfighters and peace makers and to all of those wearing the cloth of the nation.  To every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine and Merchant Mariner, I say 'thank you'. I'm grateful to you [for] the legacy that you have given us."

In summary, Admiral Rondeau read her final orders which preceded the customary ceremony of being piped ashore with the pass-through sideboys being all of her previous and current flag aides.

It was during St. Louis Navy Week in 2009, when I was humbled, and honored to host a dinner themed, 'Taking Care of the Navy Family.'

Vice Admiral Rondeau, then Deputy Commander of U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, was the first distinguished guest to arrive for the evening.

I distinctly recall her first words after our being introduced... 'I want to know more about every one of your sailors, and I want to hear it first-hand from each and every one of you, their family members.'

If you were a sailor who had the honor of serving under Vice Admiral Ann E. Rondeau, I am confident that you have become, or will be an extraordinary mentor and leader to this generation of sailors.

Biographies:
Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr.
Navy Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau
Major General Gregg Martin

Related Sites:
National Defense University

Watch the full Change of Command Ceremony